Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, November 6, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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odoriferous
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Mayday, Mayday!"Mayday" is a code word used internationally as a radio distress signal for a life-threatening emergency. It is derived from the French phrase venez m'aider, meaning "come help me." "Mayday" should be repeated three times, followed by the vessel's call sign, also repeated three times. "Mayday" and the call sign should then be stated again, followed by details about the emergency and position of the craft. What code word can be used for situations that are urgent but not life-threatening? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Dominican Republic Adopts First Constitution (1844)After declaring its independence in 1821, the colony that is now the Dominican Republic was overrun by Haitian troops. The Haitians were driven out in 1844, leading to the creation of the Dominican Republic under its first president, revolutionary Pedro Santana. Santana was dictatorial, and the republic suffered under his repressive rule. Faced with continued Haitian attacks and convinced of the need for foreign protection, Santana placed the Dominican Republic under what country's rule? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Suleiman the Magnificent (1494?)Reigning from 1520 to 1566, Sultan Suleiman I, or Suleiman the Magnificent, brought the Ottoman Empire to the height of its power and prestige. He continued his father's conquests, greatly expanding his empire. He also restructured the Ottoman legal system, earning himself the epithet Kanuni, or "Lawgiver." The sultan was also a great patron of the arts, and his reign saw the flowering of Turkish literature, art, and architecture. Why did Suleiman have his son Mustafa killed? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The finest language is mostly made up of simple unimposing words.George Eliot (1819-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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fast asleep— In a deep, sound sleep. "Fast" in this instance means "secure or fixed firmly in place," rather than "moving quickly." More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Sitka Whalefest (2022)Gray whales are native to the northern Pacific Ocean. They spend their summers in the Bering Sea but migrate every year to the waters off the coast of Mexico. Since the whales prefer to hug the coast, they are often visible to those living in seaside towns. Several towns along the migration route celebrate the whales' yearly appearances by hosting whale festivals. In Alaska, the town of Sitka holds a whale festival in November. Festival organizers coordinate a program of whale-watching tours, special presentations by marine biologists, and performances by Native and Russian dance troupes. More... | |