Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, January 27, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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appellation
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| Article of the Day | |
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 OndineIn folklore, an ondine is a female water nymph who can acquire a soul by marrying a human man and bearing a child. The legend is the subject of many works of fiction, including German novelist Baron de La Motte-Fouqué's fairy tale Undine and French dramatist Jean Giraudoux's play Ondine. In some versions of the myth, Ondine curses an unfaithful partner to stop breathing if he ever falls asleep. This tale gives its name to Ondine's curse, a real medical condition involving what? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Song Dynasty General Yue Fei Is Executed (1142)One of China's greatest generals and patriotic heroes, Yue helped establish a southern foothold for the Song dynasty while preventing the advance of the Juchen, who had taken the former Song capital in the north. However, his attempt to recapture the lost territory was opposed by one of the emperor's counselors, who earned a reputation as a traitor for relinquishing the north to the Juchen and having Yue executed. According to legend, what phrase did Yue's mother tattoo across his back? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Soong Ch'ing-ling (1893)Born to an influential Chinese family, Soong was educated in the US. She returned to China, became prominent in revolutionary politics, and married Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary 26 years her senior now known as the father of modern China. She and her sisters—along with their husbands, including Chiang Kai-shek—became some of the most significant political figures in the Communist government, with Soong becoming vice chair after Sun's death. What magazine, still in publication, did she found? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 All architecture is great architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like the art of fireworks.Gilbert Chesterton (1874-1936) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Birthday of Mozart (2021)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, on this day in 1756. His achievements in composing operas, chamber music, symphonies, and piano concerti have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest musical geniuses of all time. Mozart's birthday is observed by musical societies all over the world, who often give concerts of his music on this day. The city of his birth also honors him at the end of January with Mozart Week. More... | |