Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, October 13, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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maelstrom
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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The Two Reciprocal PronounsThe two reciprocal pronouns in English are "each other" and "one another." In more traditional grammar, "each other" is used to identify only two people who are engaged in the mutual action, while "one another" describes how many people? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Ming DynastyThe Ming dynasty ruled over China from 1368-1644. The first Ming emperor, Chu Yüan-chang, had been a Buddhist monk before joining a rebellion, gaining control of it, and overthrowing the Mongol Yüan dynasty. Chu Yüan-chang effectively unified China, setting up a strong centralized government and instituting economic recovery programs. Despite these political modifications, the dynasty never set up a viable tax policy and always struggled financially. What was the purpose of the Jinyiwei? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Ankara Replaces Istanbul as Capital of Turkey (1923)Ankara was an important commercial center for millennia, but in the late 19th century it experienced a decline. By the early 20th century, it was just a small town known primarily for its mohair production. After WWI, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made Ankara the seat of his provisional nationalist government. In 1923, it replaced Istanbul as Turkey's capital, partly to break with tradition and partly because of its central location. Who, according to Phrygian lore, founded the city in about 1000 BCE? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Lillie Langtry (1853)Born on the Isle of Jersey, Emilie Charlotte Le Breton married diplomat Edward Langtry in 1874. A famous beauty, she caused a sensation when she became the first society woman to go on the stage, making her debut at the Haymarket theater in 1881 after her husband failed financially. "Jersey Lily," as she became known, played to enthusiastic audiences in England and the US and later remodeled and managed London's Imperial Theatre. With what future monarch was Langtry once romantically involved? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Those who do not complain are never pitied.Jane Austen (1775-1817) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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the devil is in the detail(s)— Plans, actions, or situations that seem sound must be carefully examined, because minor details can end up causing major, unforeseen problems. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Cranberry Day Festival (2015)Wampanoag Indians on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, celebrate Cranberry Day, their most significant annual holiday, on the second Tuesday in October. In earlier times, this festival lasted several days as people harvested the cranberries and used them in festive dishes. These days, children get the day off from school to join the day's activities, which include picking cranberries, a lunchtime bonfire during which stories of previous Cranberry Days and other community legends are told, and a celebration in the evening with dancing, singing, and a huge potluck meal. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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