Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, October 31, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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emancipate
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Ladislaus I of HungaryNow regarded by Hungarians as the model of chivalry and valor, Ladislaus was king of Hungary from 1077 to 1095. An able king, he expanded his country, suppressed paganism, modified the criminal code, and issued laws protecting private property. In 1091, he conquered Croatia at the invitation of his sister, Croatia's widowed queen. He supported the pope against the Holy Roman Emperor but refused to swear fealty to the papacy. Still, he was canonized in 1198. What miracles are attributed to him? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Leiden University Library Opens in the Netherlands (1587)The city of Leiden played a prominent role in the revolt that would create an independent Dutch nation. In 1575—a year after Leiden had survived a siege by the Spanish—Prince William the Silent founded a university in the city. Today, Leiden University is the oldest in the Netherlands. Its library, once housed in a single room, is now home to a monumental collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and letters—some of which are centuries old and very rare. What was the library's first book? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 John Evelyn (1620)From 1631 until his death in 1706, Evelyn kept a diary that is today an invaluable source of information on 17th-century British social, cultural, and political life. He corresponded frequently with Samuel Pepys, another now-famous diarist of the time. Living as a wealthy country gentleman in Deptford, he wrote about 30 books on various subjects including reforestation, vegetarianism, and numismatics. In 1661, he wrote the Fumifugium, believed to be the first book written on what topic? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all.Gilbert Chesterton (1874-1936) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Thadingyut (2020)For Buddhists, the period from the full moon day of the 11th lunar month until the full moon day of the 12th lunar month marks the end of Vassa and the beginning of the Kathin, or pilgrimage season. This is a time when Buddhists make pilgrimages to various temples, bringing food and gifts—particularly new robes—to the monks. In Myanmar, Thadingyut is the day on which the Buddha completed his preaching of the Abhidhamma, or "philosophy." In Laos, it is called Boun Ok Vatsa, or the Festival of the Waters, as it is a popular time for pirogue (canoe) races. More... | |