Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, February 5, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Rose WindowsThese circular windows, often found in medieval churches and Gothic architecture, are generally ornamented with stained glass and stone tracery laid out in round, radiating, shaft patterns. Since the pattern often resembles a rose with radiating petals, the term “rose window” is often misattributed to the flower; in fact, the 17th century name likely stems from the Old French word roué, meaning wheel. What role did the crusaders play in the spread of this decorative window style? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 United Artists Film Studio Is Founded (1919)In 1919, four of the leading figures in Hollywood—Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, D.W. Griffith, and Douglas Fairbanks—decided to form their own film studio to better control their own work. Though initially successful, United Artists foundered as films became more expensive to produce. It was taken over in the 1950s and began to thrive again until the 80s, when it was bought by the studio MGM. What famous actor announced plans to resurrect United Artists in 2006 as part owner of the company? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (1934)Aaron was the first US baseball player to hit more career home runs than Babe Ruth. After playing briefly in the Negro leagues and then in the minor leagues, Aaron moved up to the majors as an outfielder with the Milwaukee—later Atlanta—Braves in 1954 and was National League MVP in 1957. Upon breaking Ruth's record in 1974, he was besieged by the media and badgered by racist letter-writers, and retired just two years later. Aaron's home run record remained unbroken until when? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 I count religion but a childish toy, and hold there is no sin but ignorance.Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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be a huckleberry above a persimmon— dated To be better than average among similar things. Primarily heard in US. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Roger Williams Day (2017)Roger Williams was the founder of the American Baptist Church. Born in Wales, he arrived in the Massachusetts colony on this day in 1631 and soon found himself in profound disagreement with the local Puritans. He fled south to what is now called Providence and founded the Rhode Island colony. Under his leadership, the people of Rhode Island were the first to establish a Baptist congregation on American soil (in 1638) and the first to build a community based on this principle of religious liberty. More... | |
| In the News | |
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UK Scientists Given Go-Ahead to Genetically Modify Human EmbryosBritish scientists have been given the green light to genetically modify human embryos, for the first time in the nation's history. The landmark decision means scientists will now be allowed to alter the DNA of embryos, for research purposes only. It ... More... | |