Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, May 12, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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refulgent
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The BurqaThe burqa is a loose, opaque, and all-enveloping outer garment worn by women in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. Similar garments in the Middle East are known as the hijab or chador. The burqa covers the wearer's entire face except for a small region around the eyes. Because a full burqa conceals the entire body and includes a net panel that hides the wearer's eyes, some governments have passed legislation prohibiting it. In 2010, how much was a woman fined for wearing a burqa? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Priest Attempts to Assassinate the Pope in Portugal (1982)Almost a year to the day after Pope John Paul II was shot by a Turkish gunman, a priest named Juan María Fernández y Krohn attacked the pontiff with a bayonet. It was long thought that the would-be assassin was restrained before he could wound the pope, but a former aide now claims that the pope was indeed injured. During his trial, Krohn accused the pope of being a secret communist agent in league with the USSR. After his release from prison, Krohn went on to practice law in what country? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Gustav I of Sweden (1496?)Considered the father of modern Sweden, Gustav I was king of Sweden and founder of the Vasa dynasty. A senator's son, he became a leader in the rebellion against the Danes, who controlled most of Sweden. In 1523—having won Sweden's independence—he was elected king. He was an autocratic ruler and built a strong monarchy and an efficient administration. Aside from his temper, he was known for his love of music and sly wit. How did being beaten with a baking implement supposedly save his life? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 In diving to the bottom of pleasure we bring up more gravel than pearls.Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Lag B'Omer (2020)The name of this Jewish holiday means "thirty-three omer," an omer being a sheaf of barley or wheat. In the biblical book of Leviticus, the people were commanded by Jehovah to make an offering of a sheaf of barley on each of the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot. After the evening service, the number of the day was solemnly announced, and in time this ceremony came to be known as "the counting of the omer." Lag ba-Omer represents a break in the otherwise solemn season between Passover and Shavuot. More... | |