Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, January 10, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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parhelion
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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SyntaxSyntax refers to the ways in which we order specific words to create logical, meaningful sentences. What two things are required to form a complete and logical statement? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Bâton PercéBecause archeologists are unsure of its original function, they now use the descriptive term bâton percé, meaning "pierced rod," to refer to this type of prehistoric artifact. Made from a length of antler with a round hole in one end and often etched with designs, the bâton percé was originally believed to be a symbol of power. Later theories suggest it may have been a fertility symbol, arrow straightener, dress fastener, calendar, or spear thrower. How was the latter theory tested? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 London Underground Begins Operation (1863)The world's first subway line opened in London in 1863. It was 3.75 mi (6 km) long and soon carried tens of thousands of passengers each day—transporting 9.5 million in its first year. Initially steam-powered, the system first electrified some of its lines in 1890. By 1896, it was fully electrified. Today, the London Underground system is one of the largest in the world, with 256 mi (410 km) of track and 270 stations. What is the record for visiting them all in the shortest amount of time? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 George Edward Foreman (1949)A high school dropout, Foreman learned to box in the Job Corps. He won the Olympic heavyweight gold medal in 1968 and beat Joe Frazier for the world heavyweight crown in 1973. He won all 40 of his professional bouts—many by knockout—before losing to Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle." He retired to be a minister in 1977 but launched a comeback in 1987 and became the world's oldest heavyweight champ in 1994. After naming his first four sons "George," what did Foreman name his fifth son? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Pleasures are more beneficial than duties, because, like the quality of mercy, they are not strained, and they are twice blest.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a good turn— An action that is beneficial to another person in some way. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Benin National Vodoun Day (2017)Vodoun is an ancient, African, pantheistic religion. When it was brought to the Americas by African slaves, it was blended with elements of Christianity into what is known as "Voodoo." The present African country of Benin, situated on the former kingdom of Dahomey, is known as a center of Vodoun culture. This day is celebrated throughout Benin with processions, Vodoun rituals, dances, and even an international film festival. The celebration's central activity, however, is the re-enactment of the journey from the slave auction block in the center of town to the ships in the harbor. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: netdream catcher - A decorative Native American object in the form of a hoop and net with attachments such as feathers. More... net - As in "without deductions," it came from French net, "neat," and then evolved to mean" free from any (further) deduction." More... reticule - An older term for a small handbag, it alludes to the fact that they were originally made of netted fabric—Latin rete, "net," became reticulum, "netted bag." More... retina - From Latin rete, "net," as there is a net of nerves making up this layer of the eyeball. More... | |