Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, October 12, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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meritorious
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| Article of the Day | |
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 DunesDunes are mounds or ridges of wind-blown sand that form in arid regions and along coasts, areas where there is plenty of sand, strong winds, low rainfall, and some vegetation or obstructions to trap the sand. The shape of a dune—crescent, linear, star, dome, or parabolic, to name a few—is dictated by the prevailing wind pattern. Dunes that are not stabilized by vegetation often migrate, driven by the wind, and may cause damage as they move. What are some techniques for halting their migration? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Columbus Makes Landfall in the Caribbean (1492)Believing that Asia could be reached by traveling westward, Columbus's three-ship expedition set sail from Palos, Spain, in 1492. After a stop at the Canary Islands, Columbus sailed due west, turning in a more southerly direction after about a month at sea. Shortly thereafter, Columbus quelled a small mutiny, and, on October 12, landed at an island in the Bahamas. Columbus also explored nearby Cuba and Hispaniola before returning to Spain. How many ships set sail with his second expedition? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Luciano Pavarotti (1935)Originally a schoolteacher, Pavarotti only began his vocal training in his 20s but nevertheless became one of the most successful tenors of all time. He made his professional debut in 1961 and then debuted at La Scala in 1965 and the Metropolitan Opera in 1968. A popular favorite, Pavarotti was noted for the rich and ringing clarity of his voice as well as for his immense personal charm. At the peak of his career, his concerts drew hundreds of thousands of attendees. Where did he last perform? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 To note an artist's limitations is but to define his talent. A reporter can write equally well about everything that is presented to his view, but a creative writer can do his best only with what lies within the range and character of his deepest sympathies.Willa Cather (1873-1947) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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connect up— To attach or link something to something else. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Equatorial Guinea Independence Day (2022)On this day in 1968, Equatorial Guinea became independent from Spain after being one of its colonies for nearly 300 years. On October 12—the same day on which Columbus Day is celebrated elsewhere in the world—Equatorial Guinea celebrates its autonomy with a national holiday. More... | |