Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, January 19, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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insomniac
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Rock of GibraltarHome to the British colony of Gibraltar, the Rock of Gibraltar is a limestone promontory at the tip of Spain that guards the northeastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It contains many caves and defense works and is home to a colony of macaques—the only wild primates in Europe. Known also by its Latin name, Calpe, the Rock of Gibraltar is considered one of the Pillars of Hercules described in ancient mythology. What is the other "pillar"? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 British Parliament Expels John Wilkes for Libelous, Racy Writings (1764)Despite his notoriously dissolute reputation, Wilkes became a champion of the freedom of the press as a journalist and politician. While a member of the British Parliament, he repeatedly published criticisms of King George III, riling the monarch. During the 1760s, he was variously arrested, prosecuted, shot in the stomach, and expelled from Parliament multiple times, ostensibly for his racy writings. When a constituent told Wilkes that he would rather vote for the devil, how did Wilkes respond? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Janis Joplin (1943)Joplin began singing folk rock in Texas bars after running away from home at the age of 17. In 1966, she moved to San Francisco and became lead vocalist of the rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. The band catapulted Joplin to stardom. By the late 1960s, she was almost as well known for her unconventional lifestyle as for her gritty, memorable vocals. Before her death from a heroin overdose at 27, she released hit albums with two other bands beside Big Brother. What were they called? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run.Mark Twain (1835-1910) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Timqat (2021)Because the Ethiopian Christmas, Ganna, falls on January 7, Epiphany (Timqat) is celebrated on January 19. It celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. It begins at sunset on Epiphany Eve, when people dress in white and go to their local church. From there, they form a procession with the tabot, or holy ark, in which the ancient Israelites put the Tablets of the Law, or Torah. They accompany it to a lake, stream, or pond. It is placed in a tent, where it is guarded all night while the clergy and villagers sing, dance, and eat until the baptismal service the following morning. More... | |