Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, December 20, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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bugbear
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The ShengAlso called a syrinx or panpipes, the sheng is a primitive wind instrument consisting of a series of short hollow reeds or pipes graduated in length by the musical scale and fastened side by side. Of Chinese origin, the instrument became known to the Greeks, who linked its origin to the legend of the nymph Syrinx, said to have been transformed into reeds to escape the amorous pursuit of the god Pan. What composers have used the sheng in their compositions? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Louisiana Purchase (1803)Early American settlers in the western territories depended on the Mississippi River's port of New Orleans for commerce. When Spain retroceded New Orleans to France in 1800, Americans feared their access to the river would be blocked, so President Thomas Jefferson sent negotiators to broker a deal for the port city. Why did Napoleon ultimately sell the entire Louisiana territory, including New Orleans, to the US for only about 4 cents per acre, or a sum total of $15 million? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (1894)A successful lawyer, Menzies gave up his practice to pursue a career in politics and eventually became Australia's longest continuously serving prime minister. He started out in the House of Representatives in 1934 and served as attorney general until 1939, when he became leader of the United Australia party and prime minister. In 1941, his party lost the election, but in 1949 he again became prime minister and this time remained in office until his retirement in 1966, on what national holiday? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Feast, n.: A festival. A religious celebration usually signalized by gluttony and drunkenness, frequently in honor of some holy person distinguished for abstemiousness.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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blind date— A date between two people who have not previously met. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade (2022)Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is a nightly parade of boats at Newport Beach, California. More than 150 boats of all kinds, wildly decorated with lights depicting Santa Claus, snowmen, and other symbols of winter, join the parade. Some boats carry huge inflated figures and many play music. The floating parades started in 1908 as a Fourth of July spectacular. In 1946, the city put a tree and carolers on a barge and towed it around the harbor, and that began the current December parades. Today, about a million spectators watch them during the festival. More... | |