Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, July 19, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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dissenter
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Focusing Adverbs that Partially Limit InformationFocusing adverbs are used to draw attention to a particular part of a clause. Sometimes, we want to emphasize information that isn't completely limited, but rather partially limited. What is the partially limiting focusing adverb in the following sentence? "A few people were missing at the party, notably Tom." More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 MonarchomachsWith a name meaning "killers of monarchs," the Monarchomachs were originally members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France who opposed absolute monarchy at the end of the 16th century. Born out of the wars between Catholics and Protestants, the Monarchomachs promoted a theory of tyrannicide—the killing or assassination of tyrants for the common good—in their advocacy of popular sovereignty. What separated their political vision from the modern conception of democracy? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 France Declares War on Prussia (1870)The Franco-Prussian War was the outcome of the progressive unification of German states after the Napoleonic Wars. Events came to a head when the Spanish throne was offered to a member of the Prussian Hohenzollern family, raising the possibility of a Prussian-Spanish alliance against France. The French government demanded assurances that no member of the Hohenzollern family would ever rule Spain and declared war when it was refused. What famously insulting telegram prompted France's declaration? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Charles Horace Mayo (1865)Mayo was a gifted surgeon who, with his father, brother, and several other doctors, founded the world-renowned non-profit medical center in Minnesota that would become the Mayo Clinic. In addition to seeing patients, Mayo served as the health officer of Rochester, Minnesota, for many years and also taught medical students. He originated modern procedures in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery and reduced the death rate in goiter operations. What factor contributed to his early surgical success? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 You, who are blessed with shade as well as light, you, who are gifted with two eyes, endowed with a knowledge of perspective, and charmed with the enjoyment of various colors, you, who can actually see…the Three Dimensions—how shall I make clear to you the extreme difficulty which we in Flatland experience in recognizing one another's configuration?Edwin Abbott (1838-1926) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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hot tip— A piece of advice or information that is timely and helpful, especially if acted upon quickly. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Folkmoot (2020)This two-week festival is held in the mountains at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. It features more than 350 folk musicians and dancers from countries as diverse as Ecuador, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Slovenia, China, and the Philippines. Events include a Parade of Nations, a bazaar with local and regional artisans and food vendors, a special children's program, and performances by the folk dancers and musicians. Many of the events take place in the nearby town of Waynesville. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: reptilereptile, amphibian - A reptile has dry, scaly skin, while an amphibian has moist skin. More... herptile - Another word for reptile or amphibian. More... spear - The sting of a reptile or insect. More... herpetology - The branch of zoology dealing with amphibians and reptiles, based on Greek herpeton, "creeping thing." More... | |