Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, March 21, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melange
| |||||||
| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
|---|---|
ParenthesesParentheses are used to separate information that is not necessary to the structure or meaning of the surrounding text. When can parentheses be replaced by em dashes? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Moss Piglets and Water BearsTardigrades, commonly known as moss piglets or water bears, can be found living in water, damp moss, flower petals, and sand all around the world. The minute invertebrates are usually 1 mm (0.04 inches) or smaller in size and have a head, four fused body segments, and eight claw-ended legs. Tardigrades are able to resist extremely low temperature, pressure, and humidity, and go into dormant states for months or even years. How many years can a moss piglet survive without water? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
 Napoleonic Code Adopted in France (1804)One of Napoleon's first priorities after coming to power was revising the outdated French legal system. The resulting code was a clear framework of laws regarding property, family, and personal rights, replacing an antiquated, confusing patchwork of feudal laws. The code has since been amended but remains in effect in France. In the 200 years since it was enacted, the code has also influenced the laws of many European countries, the US state of Louisiana, and what Middle Eastern country? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 Joseph Fourier (1768)Fourier was a French mathematician and Egyptologist. As an engineer on the Egyptian expedition led by Napoleon—who later made him a baron—he conducted anthropological investigations and wrote the preface to the monumental Description de l'Égypte, whose publication he oversaw. In mathematics, he is primarily known for his work in heat conduction, for his use of the Fourier series to solve differential equations, and for the related concept of the Fourier transform, which is what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
|---|---|
bone-idle— Extremely lazy. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Shunbun-no-Hi (2016)In Japan, where the Vernal Equinox is a national holiday, the entire week during which the equinox occurs is called Higan, which means "other shore." The observance of Vernal Equinox Day began during the reign of 7th-century Prince Shotoku. It became a national holiday during the Meiji period. Visiting the family cemetery is popular on this day, and people tend to regard it as a happy event. Although no meat is served during the week, o-hagi, soft rice balls covered with sweetened bean paste, are popular. Shunbun-no-Hi is a day set aside to honor nature and to show respect for growing things. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
|---|---|
Today's topic: wonderadmire - Can mean "to wonder at, to be slightly surprised." More... marvel - Traces to Latin mirabilia, from mirari, "wonder at." More... nine days' wonder - An old term (c. 1325) for an event or phenomenon that attracts enthusiastic interest for a short while, but is then ignored or forgotten. More... Wonder Bread - Got its name from a vice president who watched a hot-air balloon race shortly before the bread needed a name—"wonder" is how he described the event and then the bread. More... | |