Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, February 19, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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infirmity
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Lechuguilla CaveLong thought to be an insignificant, smallish cave near the famous Carlsbad Caverns, Lechuguilla Cave is now recognized as the deepest limestone cave in the US and the world’s fifth longest cave. It was only in 1986 that cavers digging through rubble at the floor of the cave discovered its expansive network of more than 120 miles (193 km) of passages. The cave is famous for its rare geological beauty, featuring gypsum chandeliers, hydromagnesite balloons, helictites, soda straws, and what else? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Former US Vice President Aaron Burr Arrested for Treason (1807)Nearly three years after killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel, former US Vice President Aaron Burr was arrested on unrelated charges of treason. Though the exact details of his plan were a mystery even then, he was accused of plotting to establish an independent country of his own, possibly in the American Southwest. He was treated well while imprisoned at Fort Stoddert and was eventually acquitted, but his political career was destroyed. Which of his co-conspirators turned on him? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Shivaji (1630)A devout Hindu, Shivaji grew up hating the Mughal Empire that controlled most of his native India. Around 1655, he began making guerrilla attacks on the Muslim kingdom of Bijapur, gradually carving out his own domain. He lured the Bijapur army to its destruction, becoming a formidable warlord overnight by taking the army's equipment. He then established the Maratha Empire, which was noted for its religious tolerance. How did he once make a daring escape from the Mughal emperor's palace? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It seems as if an age of genius must be succeeded by an age of endeavor; riot and extravagance by cleanliness and hard work.Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin (2021)On February 19, 1942, Japanese bomber and fighter planes conducted a devastating air raid on the town of Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory. As a tribute to honor the dead and those who defended Darwin, an annual commemoration is held in Bicentennial Park by the Cenotaph, a monument to those slain in World War I. At 9:58, the exact time the attack began, a World War II air raid siren sounds. During some observances, Australian regiments will reenact the attack: ground units fire their guns, and fighter planes perform fly-bys over the memorial site. More... | |