Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, December 15, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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sloven
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Buddhist ArtBuddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent around the 5th century BCE, following the historical life of Gautama Buddha—the religious leader and founder of Buddhism. Around the 1st century CE, the aniconic tradition of avoiding direct representation of Buddha's bodily form was replaced with an iconic style of art that permitted the depiction of his human figure. What monument is the largest Buddhist structure in the world and contains more than 500 Buddha statutes? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Billionaire's Grandson Found Alive—But Maimed—after Kidnapping (1973)In 1973, 16-year-old John Paul Getty III—grandson of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty—was kidnapped in Rome. His family initially dismissed a $17-million ransom demand as a joke by the rebellious teen, but a second note convinced his father to ask J. Paul to pay it. He refused. The frustrated kidnappers then cut off John's ear and sent it along with a note saying he would "arrive in little pieces" if their demands were not met. At this, the elder Getty relented, paying over $2 million on what condition? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ludwig Lazarus "L. L." Zamenhof (1859)Born and raised in Bialystok, a city on the Polish-Russian border populated by Poles, Germans, and Belarusians, Zamenhof was profoundly affected by the ethnic conflict he witnessed all around him. In his estimation, the primary cause of such conflict was mutual misunderstanding. Thus, he reasoned, removing communication barriers would foster peace. To this end, the young doctor and linguist devoted himself to developing an international language called "Esperanto," which means what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The civility which money will purchase, is rarely extended to those who have none.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Bill of Rights Day (2018)The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution of 1787—referred to collectively as the Bill of Rights—were ratified on December 15, 1791. This landmark document protected American citizens from specific abuses by their government and guaranteed such basic rights as the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated December 15 as Bill of Rights Day and called upon Americans to observe it with appropriate patriotic ceremonies. More... | |