Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, August 5, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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fancier
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Constructing Phrasal VerbsPhrasal verbs are made up of a verb + a preposition or an adverbial particle, and their meaning is uniquely tied to each particular combination. What is a particle? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The CIAEstablished in 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent executive bureau of the US government. Its primary function is obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and persons, and reporting such information to the various branches of government. Congress placed restraints on its activities in the early 1970s, when reports that it had engaged in assassinations and domestic spying surfaced. How was CIA involved in the Watergate scandal? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)The Battle of Dogger Bank was a naval battle that took place in the North Sea during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, which broke out over Dutch trade with Britain's enemies during the American Revolution. The battle is therefore considered part of the American War of Independence. The clash began after the British spotted and began to chase a Dutch merchant fleet being escorted by a convoy of warships. Both sides suffered significant casualties during the three-hour skirmish. Who emerged the victor? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Guy de Maupassant (1850)Maupassant was a 19th-century French writer considered one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protégé of Gustave Flaubert, Maupassant wrote with a simplicity, clarity, and objective calm that echoed the style of his mentor. He first gained attention with "Boule de Suif," or "Ball of Fat," and eventually published about 300 short stories, many of which are said to be unsurpassed in their genre. Why did Maupassant often dine at the restaurant at the base of the Eiffel Tower? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Books are good enough in their own way, but they are a mighty bloodless substitute for life.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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cushy job— A job that is easy, stress free, and/or very well paid. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Billy the Kid Pageant (2018)It was in Lincoln, New Mexico, that the legendary American outlaw Billy the Kid was brought to be hanged in 1881. He made his escape from the courthouse, which today has been restored as a state museum. The reenactment that takes place every year involves almost everyone in town and is designed to be as historically accurate as possible. Festival activities surround Billy the Kid's "last escape" throughout the weekend to give the town a late 19th-century feeling, such as weaving and horseshoeing demonstrations, encampments, and an appearance by the Fourth Texas Cavalry. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: researchdisquisition - A diligent or systematic search, a thorough investigation or research. More... primary source - A direct source of information or research, a document not emended by a third party. More... secondary source - Information or research that is derivative, such as a comment by a historian, an encyclopedia article, or a critical essay. More... Rh factor - Named for the rhesus monkeys used in research to identify blood types. More... | |