Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, September 29, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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polarity
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Pollywogs and ShellbacksOriginally created as a test to ensure new sailors were capable of handling long, rough stretches at sea, the "Crossing the Line" ceremony is an initiation rite used by many navies to commemorate a sailor's first crossing of the equator. Sailors who have already crossed the equator are nicknamed Shellbacks; those who have not are called Pollywogs. Many navies now have regulations to prevent hazing during the tradition, which often involves various physical tests. What is a Golden Shellback? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II Is Excommunicated (1227)Prior to being excommunicated the first of several times, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II had planned to go on a crusade. However, an epidemic waylaid him and a large part of his army, delaying the conquest. As a result, he was excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX. He eventually went on the postponed crusade and became king of Jerusalem. With Italy as the center of his power, Frederick, a religious skeptic, was in frequent conflict with the papacy. Frederick wrote the first book on what subject? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Gene Autry (1907)Probably the most successful "singing cowboy" in American film, Autry began performing on the radio during the 1920s in Oklahoma. He moved to Hollywood in the early 30s and went on to star in nearly 100 films, becoming America's top Western star from 1937 to 1943. He usually played a singing hero astride his famous horse, Champion. He wrote and recorded hundreds of songs, including his signature song, "Back in the Saddle Again." What well-known Christmas song was Autry's biggest hit? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 I can resist everything except temptation.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Tura Michele Fair (2020)On St. Michael’s Day in Augsburg, Bavaria, there is an annual fair that attracts visitors from all over Germany. One of the fair's chief attractions is the appearance of figures representing the Archangel Michael and the Devil that are built into the foundation of Perlach Turm, or Tower (called Tura in local dialect). Whenever the tower bell strikes on St. Michael's Day, the Archangel appears and stabs with his pointed spear at the Devil writhing at his feet. For four centuries spectators have gathered around the Tura to watch the symbolic drama reenacted on St. Michael's Day. More... | |