Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, July 1, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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acquiescent
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Regular and Irregular VerbsRegular verbs form the past simple tense and past participle the same way (-d or -ed), while irregular verbs do not adhere to a distinct or predictable pattern. What common verb is known as a "highly irregular" verb? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Doctrine of SignaturesReferenced in mainstream medical texts until the late 19th century and currently employed in homeopathic remedies, the Doctrine of Signatures is an ancient European philosophy that assigns healing properties to plants based on the association between their physical characteristics and those of the disease or affected body part. The red sap of the bloodroot, for instance, is said to cure diseases of the blood. According to this philosophy, what ailments are walnuts particularly suited for curing? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Battle of Gettysburg Begins (1863)The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, resulting in some 50,000 casualties in three days. It took place in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and signaled a turning of the tide in favor of the Union. The site is now a national cemetery, at whose dedication on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Seamstress Ginnie Wade was the only documented civilian casualty of the battle. How did she die? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Diana, Princess of Wales (1961)From the time she became engaged to Prince Charles in 1981 until her death in a car accident in 1997, Diana was arguably the most famous woman in the world. A dedicated humanitarian, she campaigned against the use of landmines and called attention to the plight of AIDS victims. She also spoke publicly about her struggles with depression and bulimia. Her openness endeared her to many and stood in contrast to the traditional image of the royal family. Where did Diana work before marrying Charles? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Exuberance is better than taste.Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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be tipping (it) down— To be raining very heavily. Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Botswana Sir Seretse Khama Day (2022)July 1 is the birthday of Sir Seretse Khama, the man who led the nation of Botswana out of colonialism and laid the foundation for a modern democracy in his country. Sir Seretse Khama Day is a national holiday, observed across Botswana as a day to remember Khama's contributions to his homeland. In celebrations in Serowe, Khama's birthplace, people proceed from various points to the main town center. Traditional dances, such as the tsutsube, are performed. Speeches and ceremonies are made at the city's statue honoring Khama, and a wreath is laid at his grave in the royal cemetery. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: lightningnimbostratus cloud - Can drop precipitation but has no lightning or thunder. More... artillery - A poetic term for thunder and lightning. More... coup de foudre - A sudden unforeseen event or instantaneous and overwhelming passion, such as love at first sight; it is French, literally, "stroke of lightning." More... lightning - Etymologically, lightning is simply something that illuminates or "lightens" the sky, a contraction of the earlier "lightening." More... | |