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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 First Great Texas Oil Gusher Discovered at Spindletop (1901)In 1892, a company was formed in Texas to investigate long-held suspicions that oil might be under an area known as Spindletop Hill. After nine years of exploratory drilling, oil was struck at a depth of 1,139 ft (347 m), resulting in the "Lucas Gusher," which blew oil more than 150 ft (46 m) in the air. The well produced an estimated 100,000 barrels per day, marking what many consider the birth of the modern petroleum industry. What now well-known companies were involved in the find? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Margaret of Austria (1480)Daughter of Emperor Maximilian I, Margaret was a Hapsburg princess and regent of the Netherlands. When she was three, she was betrothed to French dauphin and future King Charles VIII, who later renounced the agreement and married Anne of Brittany. In 1497, she married John of Spain—son of Ferdinand and Isabella—but he died later that year. In 1501, she married Philibert of Savoy; he died in 1504. In 1507, she was made regent of the Netherlands and guardian of what future Holy Roman Emperor? 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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until all hours (of the day and night)— Until a very late hour of the night or early hour of the morning. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Ouray Ice Festival (2019)The Ouray Ice Festival is an ice-climbing competition and exposition held annually in January in Ouray, Colorado. In addition to the main contest, which tests ice-climbers' skill and speed, competitions are held for such feats as axe throwing and tightrope walking across a gorge. Also on offer are manufacturers' displays of specialty equipment, film and slide-show presentations, and a climbing wall for children. Anyone can register to compete. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: mountainsmassif - A compact group of mountains or a mountain range section; it first meant "building block" and the word massive is derived from that. More... Idaho - Shoshone for "light on mountains." More... orogenesis, orogeny - Orogenesis is the formation of mountains (Greek oros) and orogeny is the process by which mountains are formed. More... ultramontane - Means "beyond the mountains." More... | |