Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, August 19, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pyrite
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Highland Potato Famine (1846-1857)In the mid 19th century, at a time when most of the crofters, or tenants, of the Scottish Highlands were dependent on potatoes as a source of food, their potato crops were blighted with a terrible fungal disease that caused the crop to fail for the next ten years. The blight was similar to the contemporaneous Irish Potato Famine, but the latter was perhaps more severe and closer to a true famine. What was the landlords' solution to the problem of starving crofters? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Leonard Bernstein Conducts His Final Concert (1990)Less than two months before he died, Bernstein, a highly regarded American composer and conductor, conducted what would be his final concert. He had suffered from smoking-related lung problems for years, and his coughing fit partway through the Boston Symphony appearance that night nearly ended the performance. With his health declining, he officially retired in early October, and he died just five days later. What feat in 1943 made him an overnight sensation and set his career in motion? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Orville Wright (1871)Born and raised in Ohio, Orville was four years younger than his brother Wilbur. They were in the bicycle business when they began the aeronautic experiments that led to the first controlled, powered airplane flight in 1903. Wilbur died in 1912, and Orville sold his interest in their company three years later. He later served for 28 years on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a precursor to NASA, before his death in 1948. What toy sparked Orville's interest in flying as a boy? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.Herman Melville (1819-1891) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Lucerne International Festival of Music (2020)The first Lucerne Festival was held in 1938, conducted by Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) at the former home of Richard Wagner. The Swiss Festival Orchestra, the festival's mainstay since 1943, is comprised of the best musicians in Switzerland. It is joined by other national groups—among them the Lucerne Festival Strings—as well as internationally known orchestras from other countries. The program offers symphonic and chamber music as well as master classes, young artists' matinees, and a concert for seniors and persons with disabilities. More... | |