Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, August 25, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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indolence
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Other Modal VerbsThe verbs "dare," "need," "used to," and "ought to" can also be used in the same way as modal verbs, but they do not share all the same characteristics. For this reason, they are referred to as what? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Mob FootballMob football, a precursor to modern soccer and rugby, emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages. It typically involved an unlimited number of players from neighboring villages. The rules were vague and few. In some versions, any means short of murder could be used to move the ball back and forth. The game likely resembled a riot, and although mob football became an annual tradition in some places, it was frequently banned. According to legend, what was used as the first football? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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.jpg) Uruguay Declares Its Independence from Brazil (1825)In 1811, José Gervasio Artigas, who would become Uruguay's national hero, launched a successful revolution against the Spanish authorities who ruled a combined Uruguay and Argentina. Ten years later, the eastern province of Uruguay was annexed by Brazil, which was still under Portuguese rule. Brazil became independent from Portugal the following year, and in 1825, Uruguay declared independence from Brazil. Why is the country now called the Oriental Republic of Uruguay? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ivan the Terrible (1530)Ivan IV was the first ruler of Russia to formally assume the title "czar." His early reign saw modernization, expansion, and reform. However, after a near-fatal illness, a failed war against Sweden and Poland, and the death of a wife, Ivan's mental state deteriorated. He withdrew to his personal territory, and his later reign was marked by extreme violence, repression, and tyranny. He rid himself of unwanted wives by forcing them into convents. Why did Ivan murder his son—and only heir—in 1581? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Marriage is a very good thing, but I think it's a mistake to make a habit of it.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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the honest truth— The sincere, unadulterated truth. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Schueberfouer (Shepherd's Fair) (2020)Also known as the Schueberfouer or Schuebermesse, the Shepherd's Fair held in Luxembourg City at the end of August every year dates back to 1340, when it was founded by John the Blind as a market for the wool and sheep merchants of medieval Europe. Today it is geared toward entertainment rather than commerce, with carousels, food stands, and candy booths everywhere. Practically the only remnant of the original fair is the Marche des Moutons (March of the Sheep), a parade of sheep decorated with ribbons and led by shepherds in folkloric costumes. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: profitRoman holiday - Enjoyment or profit derived from others' discomfort or suffering, based on the gladiator matches enjoyed by ancient Romans. More... bottom line - A reference to the line at the bottom of a financial statement that shows the profit or balance. More... improve - First meant "to make a profit for oneself" or "to employ to advantage; to make profitable use of." More... broker - Originally, a broker or brokour bought wine cheaply in quantity and sold it at a profit; broker came to mean any retailer who did this, or a middleman/agent. More... | |