Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, January 19, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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insomniac
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Rock of GibraltarHome to the British colony of Gibraltar, the Rock of Gibraltar is a limestone promontory at the tip of Spain that guards the northeastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It contains many caves and defense works and is home to a colony of macaques—the only wild primates in Europe. Known also by its Latin name, Calpe, the Rock of Gibraltar is considered one of the Pillars of Hercules described in ancient mythology. What is the other "pillar"? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 President Gerald Ford Pardons "Tokyo Rose" (1977)During World War II, Allied forces in the South Pacific dubbed a group of English-speaking female radio broadcasters airing Japanese propaganda "Tokyo Rose." After the war, the name became most closely associated with Japanese-American radio host Iva Toguri D'Aquino. She was convicted of treason in 1949. Decades later, investigative journalists found that key witnesses had lied during her trial, leading President Ford to pardon her. What stage name did D'Aquino often use in her broadcasts? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Paul Cézanne (1839)Though early in his painting career Cézanne was closely associated with the Impressionists, even exhibiting with them, he soon began exploring ways to "recreate nature" by simplifying forms to their basic geometric equivalents, utilizing contrasts of color and distortion to express the essence of his subject. His radical new style profoundly affected the development of modern art, Cubism in particular. Who reportedly referred to Cézanne as "the father of us all"? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run.Mark Twain (1835-1910) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a bit dicey— Carrying a certain degree of risk or danger; uncertain of a favorable outcome. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Timqat (2023)Because the Ethiopian Christmas, Ganna, falls on January 7, Epiphany (Timqat) is celebrated on January 19. It celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. It begins at sunset on Epiphany Eve, when people dress in white and go to their local church. From there, they form a procession with the tabot, or holy ark, in which the ancient Israelites put the Tablets of the Law, or Torah. They accompany it to a lake, stream, or pond. It is placed in a tent, where it is guarded all night while the clergy and villagers sing, dance, and eat until the baptismal service the following morning. More... | |