Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, December 10, 2020)Word of the Day | |||||||
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greensward
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Article of the Day | |
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The Gin CrazeIn 18th-century London, an unprecedented rise in the popularity of gin led to a decades-long epidemic of extreme public drunkenness known as the Gin Craze. Moral outrage and legislative action ensued. Between 1729 and 1751, a series of laws were passed to control gin consumption. Often, such laws resulted in mass law-breaking. Lower wages, rising food prices, and the unprofitability of gin production eventually conspired to end the craze. How had gin become so popular in the first place? More... |
This Day in History | |
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First Nobel Prizes Awarded (1901)The Nobel Prizes, named after Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, are awarded annually to those who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and—since 1969—economic sciences. Nobel is said to have been inspired to create the prizes after reading his own prematurely published obituary, which condemned his invention of dynamite and referred to him as "the merchant of death." What family has amassed the most Nobel Prizes? More... |
Today's Birthday | |
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Ada Lovelace (1815)Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, widely referred to today simply as Ada Lovelace, has been called the world's first computer programmer for her description of Charles Babbage's early mechanically operated general-purpose digital computer, the analytical engine. Historians debate the extent of her contributions, but she remains a celebrated figure in the field, and the computer programming language Ada is named for her. Who was her famous father? More... |
Quotation of the Day | |
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There, then, he sat, the sign and symbol of a man without faith, hopelessly holding up hope in the midst of despair. Herman Melville (1819-1891) |
Idiom of the Day | |
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a man/woman of the people— A person who represents, understands, is in touch with, and is well liked by ordinary, everyday people. Often said of politicians or those who occupy positions of power, authority, or fame beyond that of the average person. More... |
Today's Holiday | |
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Thailand Constitution Day (2022)In 1932, Thailand's absolute monarchy was replaced with a constitutional monarchy. King Rama VII oversaw the transfer of power. Under the newly instituted constitution of that time, the monarchy remained in place and the king was designated the head of state. Thailand has had a series of 18 constitutions or charters since 1932, the latest one being adopted in 2007. Each has allowed for a constitutional monarchy with greater or lesser power. Celebrations on Constitution Day involve the people thanking the monarchy for granting them a chance to take part in running the country. More... |