Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, October 4, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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indubitable
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Exclamation PointsAn exclamation point or exclamation mark ( ! ) is a punctuation mark commonly used to express strong, intense emotions in declarations. When is an exclamation point in parentheses used in a sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 H.M.Henry Molaison, better known as H.M., was an American memory disorder patient whose case played a key role in the development of theories regarding the link between brain function and memory. In 1953, after parts of his brain were removed to treat his otherwise intractable epilepsy, it was found that he was unable to form new long-term memories. He thus became the subject of numerous studies on brain function and amnesia. What did scientists learn about memory by studying H.M.? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Boris Yeltsin Orders Tanks to Storm Russian Parliament (1993)As president of an independent Russia, Boris Yeltsin sought to end state control of the economy but clashed with parliament, which was controlled by former Communists. When Yeltsin suspended the parliament, it retaliated by naming Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi as acting president, and anti-Yeltsin forces barricaded themselves inside the parliament building. The military interceded on Yeltsin's side and, after a bloody battle, troops recaptured the parliament building. What was the death toll? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Buster Keaton (1895)Though his career had its ups and downs, Keaton is recognized today as one of silent cinema's greatest actors and filmmakers. He is remembered as much for his acrobatic skill as for his trademark deadpan expression, both of which he developed performing in vaudeville as a child and honed over the course of his decades-long career on the silver screen, starring in such classics as The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. How did Joseph Frank Keaton come to be known as Buster? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Influence, n.: In politics, a visionary quo given in exchange for a substantial quid.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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close as the bark to the tree— As connected as is possible. Often used to describe a particularly intimate relationship or friendship. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Fiesta of San Francisco (San Pacho) (2022)In Quibdó, Colombia, the Fiesta of San Francisco is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. The procession on October 4 is the highlight of the festival, but several days of sports—including boxing, horse racing, cycling, and pig-catching contests—precede this. The streets are filled with people dressed up as devils, savages, and various animals, and there are dancing and fireworks every night. On the final day, there is an afternoon procession, in which everyone accompanies the statue of St. Francis as it is carried through the streets of Quibdó. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: prosperityland of milk and honey - In the Bible, a land of prosperity and plenty promised by God to the Israelites. More... pumpkin time - The end of prosperity and a return to normal. More... thrift - First meant "acquired wealth, prosperity, success." More... welfare - Originally the phrase wel fare—first meaning "happiness" or "prosperity." More... | |