Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, January 24, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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haberdasher
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Fainting GoatsWhen a fainting goat is startled, its external muscles freeze for about 10 seconds, causing it collapse as if in a faint. Older goats generally learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled and remain standing during these episodes. The condition is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita, which disrupts the flow of chloride ions into skeletal muscle cells. What key aspect of human fainting does not happen to these goats? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Soviet Satellite Breaks Up upon Reentry, Scattering Nuclear Debris (1978)Cosmos 954 was a Soviet reconnaissance satellite that used radar to observe ocean traffic. It was launched in September 1977 and quickly began to experience problems. Within months, it had deviated from its designed orbit. A malfunction prevented the safe separation of its onboard nuclear reactor, so when the satellite reentered the Earth's atmosphere, it scattered radioactive debris over northern Canada, necessitating an extensive clean-up operation. How much did Canada bill the USSR for this? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Frederick II of Prussia (1712)Frederick the Great was the Hohenzollern King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. One of the "enlightened despots" of 18th-century Europe, he instituted numerous economic, civil, and social reforms, was tolerant in religious matters, and promoted education and the arts. He was also an excellent military commander and tactician under whose leadership Prussia became a recognized power in Europe. Why did Frederick's father have him arrested at 18 and force him to watch the beheading of his friend? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 No man can ever feel his own identity aright except his eyes be closed; as if darkness were indeed the proper element of our essences, though light be more congenial to our clayey part.Herman Melville (1819-1891) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a cut above the rest— Better in quality than most others. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Bermuda Festival (2023)The winter season on the island of Bermuda brings on a schedule of performing arts events known as the Bermuda Festival, which began in 1976. Yehudi Menuhin was instrumental in organizing the first festival and performed on its 20th anniversary in 1996. Offerings include theater, dance, opera, classical, and modern music performances from around the world. More... | |