Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, December 10, 2017)Word of the Day | |||||||
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humdrum
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Article of the Day | |
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The Freedom RidesAfter the US Supreme Court ruled in the case of Boynton v. Virginia (1960) that racial segregation in public transportation is illegal, civil rights activists organized the Freedom Rides, in which interracial groups of participants rode public transportation in the southern US to challenge local laws enforcing segregation. Though many riders were beaten and arrested, people continued to join the campaign, propelling it forward. How else did the riders protest racial discrimination? More... |
This Day in History | |
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Imperial Japanese Navy Sinks Two British Warships (1941)Japanese aggression in late 1941 prompted Britain to send two of their largest warships—HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse—to the Pacific as a deterrent. However, war in the Pacific escalated with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7. Three days later, Japanese forces destroyed the Prince of Wales and Repulse near Singapore. The warships were the first sunk by aircraft while at sea. How did British Prime Minister Winston Churchill react to the sinkings? 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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The freedom of the press should be inviolate. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) |
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... |