Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, May 3, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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undergird
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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ConjunctionsConjunctions are used to express relationships between things in a sentence, link different clauses together, and to combine sentences. There are four main types of conjunctions—what are they? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 FastiIn ancient Rome, the fasti was a calendar-like list of days that kept track of holy days, festivals, and notable events. Most importantly, it indicated the days when public business could take place without impiety, its original purpose. The first fasti was published in 304 BCE, in the form of engraved stone tablets placed in the Forum, the center of Roman public life. The list served as the origin of the Roman calendar, according to which each week had how many days? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Post-War Japanese Constitution Goes into Effect (1947)The Constitution of Japan was drawn up under the Allied occupation that followed World War II. It replaced Japan's previous imperial system with a form of liberal democracy, which provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees human rights. Under its terms, Japan renounces the right to wage war, and the emperor exercises a purely ceremonial role, with the prime minister acting as the head of government. What amendments have been made to the constitution since its adoption? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 James Brown, the Godfather of Soul (1933)One of the original inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century, "Godfather of Soul" James Brown evolved a highly personal style that combined gospel and blues elements with a spectacular stage presence. During his five-decade career, "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business" had numerous chart-topping singles and albums. What trademark feature of Brown's stage shows was inspired by professional wrestler Gorgeous George? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 In matters of thought and conduct, to be independent is to be abnormal, to be abnormal is to be detested.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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stack Z's— To get some sleep. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Hakata Dontaku (2022)The largest festival in Japan, Hakata Dontaku is held in Fukuoka City during Golden Week, the first week in May. The festival originated in the Muromachi Period (1333-1568) as a procession of the merchants of Hakata, an old section of Fukuoka City, paying their new year visit to the daimyo, or feudal lord. The festival highlight is a three-hour parade with legendary gods on horseback, floats, and musicians playing samisens (a three-stringed instrument similar to a guitar), flutes, and drums. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: smokingstogie, stogy - A stogie (or stogy) is named for the Conestoga wagon—as drivers of the wagons rolled tobacco into thin ropes for smoking on long trips; stogies are now long, thin cigars. More... cigar - Comes from Spanish cigarro, from the Mayan verb sik'ar, "to smoke" or "smoking." More... dottle - Any tobacco left in a pipe after smoking. More... pipe dream - Originated with opium smoking. More... | |