Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, November 20, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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supernumerary
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| Article of the Day | |
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 DemiurgeDerived from a Greek word meaning "artisan" or "public worker," the Demiurge was first described by Plato in his dialogue Timaeus, in which he identifies the Demiurge as the force that fashioned the world from the preexisting materials of chaos. In Gnosticism, the Demiurge is regarded as an inferior deity who created the imperfect, material world and belongs to the forces of evil opposing the supreme God of goodness. What are some of the many names of the Demiurge? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Oil Rig Accidentally Drains Lake Peigneur (1980)When Leonce Viator, Jr., set out in his boat for a day of fishing on Louisiana's Lake Peigneur, he never imagined he would end up fighting for his life. But that is exactly what happened after an oil rig on the lake's surface accidentally bored through the roof of a salt mine beneath it. Like a bathtub whose plug has been pulled, the lake began draining into the mine, creating a whirlpool that sucked in not just water but barges, trees, and acres of surrounding land. What happened to Viator? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Alistair Cooke (1908)Cooke was a British-American journalist and broadcaster. To British audiences, he was famous for his lively and insightful interpretations of American life and culture. His weekly Letter from America, which aired for 58 years, was one of the longest-running programs in radio. To American television audiences, he was the epitome of the elegant English gentleman, hosting public television's Masterpiece Theater for 20 years. After he died, his bones were stolen and used for what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil does above water.Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Opening of the Underground Caves Day (2020)The end of World War II is marked annually by the people of Butaritari Island (northern islands of the independent republic of Kiribati). Each year, they open the caves that were built to shelter them during WWII. Accompanied by a celebration, the event takes place on the anniversary of the day the caves initially were opened after the war ended in 1945. The event's main activities take place in Ukiangang village on Butaritari Island, featuring singing, dancing, feasting, and indoor and outdoor games. More... | |