Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, November 14, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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tiffin
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The MagyarsThe Magyars, a nomadic people, migrated from the Urals to the Northern Caucasus region around 460 CE. They remained there for roughly 400 years, until the advance of the Pechenegs forced them west into what is now Romania. They arrived in Hungary towards the end of the 9th century, displacing the resident Huns and Slavs. The Magyars currently comprise 92% of the Hungarian population; consequently, the words Magyar and Hungarian are used interchangeably. What is the origin of the latter term? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Apalachin Meeting (1957)The Apalachin Meeting was a summit of some 100 Mafiosi from the US, Canada, and Italy that was raided after their fancy cars and out-of-state license plates aroused the suspicions of law enforcement agents in Apalachin, New York. Fifty-eight Mafiosi, including bosses Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese, were detained. Perhaps the most significant consequence of the raid was that it confirmed the American Mafia's existence, a fact that had long been denied by what prominent law enforcement official? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Robert Fulton (1765)A man remarkable for his many talents and inventions, Fulton is popularly considered the inventor of the steamboat. Originally a gunsmith and portraitist, he became fascinated by canal engineering while living in Europe. After sinking one prototype steamboat in the Seine River and failing to secure European support, he returned to his native US. There, he launched the first commercially viable steamboat in the Hudson River in 1807. What invention did Napoleon commission from Fulton? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Most amusements only mean trying to win another person's money.Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Kali Puja (2020)In the region of Bengal, many Hindus regularly honor Kali, an earth goddess of fearsome appearance and a symbol of fertility. During the year, believers conduct daily pujas (devotional prayers) to Kali, but one particular new-moon day of the year is set aside for a special Kali Puja. Unlike with other festivals, believers will worship Kali at night. Typically, people gather around elaborate pandals (shrines) to the goddess around 9 p.m. Priests will then lead a ceremony, which may involve prayers and sacrifices of animals such as goats, sheep, or buffaloes. Worship may continue until as late as 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. More... | |