Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, October 26, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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nipper
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| Article of the Day | |
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 GerrymanderingGerrymandering is the political practice of drawing electoral district lines in a way that gives an unfair advantage to a particular political party. Numerous countries have enacted reforms against gerrymandering, but in the US such reforms have met with opposition from groups that benefit from the practice. The term "gerrymander" was inspired by an 1812 Massachusetts redistricting scheme that favored the party of Governor Elbridge Gerry. Where did the "mander" part of the word come from? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 USA PATRIOT Act Signed into Law (2001)Enacted quickly and with little opposition in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the sweeping USA PATRIOT Act dramatically enhanced the powers of law enforcement and intelligence-gathering agencies within the US. The bill has since come under increasing scrutiny and criticism, and aspects of it have faced legal challenges in the courts. After it was renewed in 2006, most of its sections became permanent. What section of the act has riled librarians in particular? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Domenico Scarlatti (1685)Although he lived during the Baroque era, Scarlatti, an Italian composer and virtuoso harpsichordist, was extremely influential in the development of the Classical period of music. He is best known for his composition of 555 keyboard sonatas, written for the Spanish queen Maria Bárbara, whom he had tutored as a child and in whose service he remained for much of his life. Scarlatti is said to have engaged in a keyboard competition with what other composer as a young man? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It is well known to all experienced minds that our firmest convictions are often dependent on subtle impressions for which words are quite too coarse a medium.George Eliot (1819-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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eat, drink, and be merry— A call for others to enjoy themselves, usually in the context of a party or other festive gathering. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Austria National Day (2022)National Day commemorates the day in 1955 when Soviet occupation forces left Austria after taking control in 1945. The Austrian State Treaty of May 15, 1955, ensured that Austrians would regain sovereignty over their country on July 27. By October 26, it was once again a free, independent country. Although it is a national holiday in Austria, people do not get the day off from school or work, mainly because of the idea that one's country is best served by working. Schools hold special presentations, and the president delivers a speech. More... | |