Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, November 30, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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empennage
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Human BrandingHistorically, human branding—the practice of burning marks or patterns into the skin of a living person—was used to mark slaves and criminals. The ancient Romans branded runaway slaves with the letters FUG, for fugitivus. Until the 1800s, hot irons were used to brand British criminals with letters specific to their crimes. Today, human branding is generally voluntary and is used as body decoration or as an act of initiation to gangs. What religious sect practices human branding? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Battle of Narva (1700)Sweden's power and influence in the Baltic region was growing when the young and inexperienced Charles XII came to the throne in 1697. Seeing their chance to end Swedish domination of the area, Charles's neighbors—Peter I of Russia, Frederick IV of Denmark, and Augustus II of Poland—formed an alliance and attacked. At Narva, the first major battle of the Great Northern War, Charles's army soundly defeated the superior Russian forces. A few years later, Peter returned to Narva. What happened? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Winston Churchill (1874)Churchill was prime minister of the UK during World War II and led the country through both its darkest and finest hours. He was a writer, artist, legislator, soldier, and one of the most influential leaders in modern history. After being appointed prime minister in 1940, he forged a strong alliance with the US and an uneasy one with the USSR. These alliances were two key factors in the defeat of the Axis Powers. A prolific painter, Churchill exhibited his art under what pseudonym? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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an honest buck— Honest, legal work or income. Often used in the phrase "make/earn an honest buck." Primarily heard in US. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Barbados Independence Day (2022)After having been a British colony since the 17th century, Barbados became independent on this day in 1966. A ceremony took place near the capital city of Bridgetown, during which the British flag was lowered and replaced by the Barbados flag, and the national anthem was sung. Today, festivities extend through the month of November with the National Independence Festival of the Creative Arts. On Independence Day, festivities include exhibits of art work and photography and culminate with a parade and the final appearance of performers. More... | |