Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, January 5, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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suppositious
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Independent ClausesAn independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a clause that forms a complete, independent thought. What is a simple sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Herero and Namaqua GenocideIn the early 20th century, Germany claimed territory in what is now Namibia and colonized the land as German South-West Africa. From 1904 to 1907, the Germans quashed rebellions by the native Herero and Nama tribes by driving them into the desert. Approximately 65,000 Herero and 10,000 Nama—80 percent and 50 percent of their populations, respectively—died in what is perhaps the earliest attempt at genocide in the 20th century. When did Germany officially apologize for the massacre? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Construction Begins on California's Golden Gate Bridge (1933)For 27 years after its completion in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest main span in the world, stretching 4,200 ft (1,280 m). Its four-year construction, supervised by chief engineer Joseph B. Strauss, faced many difficulties, including rapidly running tides, frequent storms and fogs, and the problem of blasting rock under deep water to plant earthquake-resistant foundations. Considered a modern wonder, the bridge spans the Golden Gate, a strait that links what two bodies of water? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Shah Jahan (1592)Shah Jahan succeeded to the throne of India's Mughal Empire in 1628 and ruled for 30 years. His reign was notable for its successes against the Deccan states. Though attempts to reconquer lost territory almost bankrupted the empire, his reign marked the zenith of Mughal court splendor and ushered in the golden age of Mughal art and architecture. Considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal was built in memory of his beloved wife. Who deposed and imprisoned him in 1658? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 I shall be like that tree,—I shall die at the top.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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good graces— Favorable, kindly, or approving regard or treatment. Usually used in the phrase "in someone's good graces" or some variation thereof. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh (2020)Born in 1666, Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Sikh gurus. He is best known for establishing the Khalsa, the spiritual brotherhood devoted to defending Sikhism, and for his teachings, such as that living with love, charity, and integrity was more important than observing religious rituals and that men and women are equal. His birthday is celebrated by Sikhs around the world. Festivities include a three-day-long, continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions, and the singing of sacred songs. Sporting contests and other games are also popular. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: removalbeheadment - The removal of an initial letter of a word to form a new word (e.g. blather becomes lather). More... curtailment - The removal of the last letter of a word to leave another word (e.g. goon becomes goo). More... detail - Comes from French de-, "removal," and tailler, "cut in pieces," and means "to relate or describe minutely." More... water softening - The removal of calcium and magnesium ions from water, or their replacement with sodium, either by chemical reaction or by ion exchange. More... | |