Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, October 6, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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glister
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| Article of the Day | |
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 MaenadsAlso called bacchantes, maenads were female followers of the Greek wine-god Dionysus. The name "maenad" comes from a Greek word meaning "mad" or "demented." During the rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god. While under his influence, they supposedly had extraordinary strength, and it was said they could tear animals—or people—to pieces. This was the fate met by what mythological figure? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat Is Assassinated (1981)As president, Sadat led Egypt in a 1973 war with Israel that bolstered his popularity throughout the Arab world, even though the war was a military loss. However, after he negotiated a peace treaty with Israel in the Camp David Accords—an initiative for which he shared a Nobel Peace Prize—his popularity in the Arab world plummeted. During an annual military parade, he was ambushed and killed by extremists. What three people made a rare simultaneous appearance at his funeral? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Johanna "Jenny" Maria Lind (1820)One of the greatest coloratura sopranos of her time, Lind was a Swedish opera star who caused a sensation touring Europe. Her fame led American showman P.T. Barnum to use his innovative publicity techniques to arrange a hugely successful 1850 US tour for her. Hans Christian Andersen once fell in love with her and wrote "The Nightingale" in her honor, leading to her nickname, "The Swedish Nightingale." A clipper ship and a class of locomotive were named for Lind, as was what piece of furniture? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Observation is an old man's memory.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Styrian Autumn (Steirischer Herbst) (2020)Dedicated to the avant-garde in music, drama, literature and the fine arts, this month-long festival in Austria celebrates spontaneity and experimentation. Founded in 1968, it presents world premieres of plays, operas and musical works by contemporary artists, exhibitions of contemporary art, and a variety of fringe events that include circus acts and multimedia shows. Ticket prices are purposely kept low, and many festival events are offered free of charge. The festival takes its name from the province of Styria, whose capital city, Graz, is where the work of Austria's modernists is performed and displayed. More... | |