Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, July 6, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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vibrissa
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Witch HazelWitch hazel refers to a family of trees and shrubs found in Japan, China, and North America. They are deciduous shrubs that usually grow 10-26 ft (3-8 m) tall but can reach 40 ft (12 m). The fruit of the witch hazel is a two-parted capsule, 1 cm long, that bursts in Autumn and shoots seeds up to 33 ft (10 m) away. The plant's hard wood is used in cabinet making, and an astringent is extracted from its bark and leaves. The plant's branches have been used in what form of divination? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Jan Hus Is Burned at the Stake (1415)A Bohemian religious reformer, Hus was excommunicated in 1411 after taking a stand in the power struggle among the three figures claiming to be pope of the Catholic Church. He continued to preach, but his criticism led to a case of heresy against him, and he was invited to the Council of Constance to explain his views. Though promised safe conduct to the council, he was arrested, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake. What seemingly prescient thing did Hus do before traveling to Constance? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Merv Griffin (1925)Originally a singer and nightclub performer, Griffin first achieved wider fame in the early 1950s with the hit song I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts. He then shifted his focus to television, hosting The Merv Griffin Show from 1965 to 1986. He created the popular game shows Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! and wrote the latter's famous theme song. Later, he invested in casinos, resorts, and hotels. What humorous epitaph was inscribed on his gravestone? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 A mother is a mother still,The holiest thing alive. Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Malawi Republic Day (2020)Also known as National Day, this holiday commemorates Malawi's independence from Britain on this day in 1966. At midnight on July 6, 1966, 40,000 people cheered the changing of the flag at Central Stadium, ushering in Malawi's autonomy. Today ceremonies and prayer services are held at stadiums in Blantyre, Mzuzu, or the capital city of Lilongwe. More... | |