Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, July 16, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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habiliment
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Cigar-Box GuitarThe cigar-box guitar is a primitive, usually homemade, string instrument that uses a cigar box as a resonator. It originated in the southern US at around the time that the modern cigar box was introduced—about 1840. Other salvaged materials, such as screen wire (for strings) and broomsticks (for necks), are also often used in the making of these instruments. Recently, there has been revival of cigar-box instruments. What world-famous musicians have jumped on the cigar-box guitar bandwagon? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 District of Columbia Established as US Capital (1790)Adopted in 1787, the US Constitution allowed for the establishment of a capital city that could govern itself, but it did not stipulate a location. While it was agreed that the capital should not be in any one state, its placement was hotly debated. In 1790, Congress struck a compromise between the North and South, establishing a capital on the Potomac River. The exact location was chosen by President George Washington. District residents were unable to vote in presidential elections until when? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ginger Rogers (1911)Rogers was an Oscar-winning American actress and dancer—most notably as Fred Astaire's partner. Their first appearance together was in 1933's Flying Down to Rio. Though they were not given star billing, they stole the show and went on to make nine more films together. Rogers also starred in several non-musical roles and, by 1945, was one of the highest paid performers in Hollywood. She was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1992. Why were parts of the event prohibited from being televised? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Can there be hope where fear is?Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Feast of the Giglio (Brooklyn) (2020)The feast days of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16) and Paulinus of Nola (June 22) are celebrated together by Italian Americans at the parish of Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Brooklyn, New York. The highlights of the festival are the two processions of the giglio (Italian for "lilies"), a huge tower about six stories high and decorated with lilies. On July 16, the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is placed atop the giglio and paraded through the parish streets accompanied by a marching band and the singing of the Giglio Song ("O' Giglio 'e Paradiso"). More... | |