Thursday, June 30, 2016

Charles Julius Guiteau, Assassin of US President James A. Garfield, Hanged (1882)

At the deadlocked 1880 Republican national convention, Garfield was nominated as a compromise candidate for president, with Chester A. Arthur chosen for vice president to appease the "Stalwart" faction of the party. However, after Garfield became president, he passed over the Stalwarts in his appointments, creating a bitter rivalry. Guiteau, who unreasonably expected to be offered a diplomatic post, shot Garfield and said, "I am a Stalwart and Arthur is president now!" When did Garfield die? Discuss


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Robert Ballard (1942)

Ballard is an American oceanographer and marine geologist. While working at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Research Institution, he pioneered the use of deep-diving submersibles, took part in the first manned exploration of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and discovered warm water springs and the unusual animal communities that grow up around them in the Galápagos Rift. He is best known for his dramatic discovery of the wreck of the Titanic in 1985. What other notable wrecks has Ballard located? Discuss


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Democratic Republic of Congo Independence Day

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) gained independence from Belgium on this day in 1960. It had been a Belgian colony since 1907, and powerful movements had struggled for self-rule since the 1950s. The people celebrated the first independence day with fireworks and bonfires in the capital city of Léopoldville (now Kinshasa). Discuss


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Solomonic Columns

Characterized by their corkscrew-like shaft, Solomonic columns draw their name from the Biblical description of the two columns that famously flanked the entrance to the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, built in the 10th c BCE. According to tradition, that temple was the source of a set of columns brought to Rome by Constantine the Great in the 4th c CE for the original St. Peter's Basilica, where several of the pillars still remain. These columns are now believed to have originally stood where? Discuss


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go soft on (someone)

To treat someone delicately, gently, or leniently; to not criticize, punish, or berate someone too harshly. Watch the video

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gourmand

Definition: (noun) A lover of good food.
Synonyms: trencherman, glutton.
Usage: Because he had a great appreciation for fine cuisine, the gourmand was asked to serve as a judge in the televised cooking contest.
Discuss

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Picture of the day for June 30, 2016



Brazilian salmon pink tarantula (aslo called birdeater), male, (Lasiodora parahybana).. Learn more.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Two Car Bombs Discovered in London (2007)

In 2007, a potential tragedy was averted in London when two car bombs were disabled before they could be detonated in a busy district of the city. The cars and devices were recovered intact for forensic examination and both were found to contain gasoline canisters, nails, and a mobile phone-based trigger. The next day, two men drove a car laden with propane into a terminal at Glasgow International Airport and set it ablaze. The surviving conspirator was jailed for both incidents. Who was he? Discuss


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Sts. Peter and Paul Day

It is said that St. Peter and St. Paul were both martyred on June 29, and, for this reason, their names have been linked in various observances around the world. In Peru, the Día de San Pedro y San Pablo is celebrated in fishing villages because St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen. Processions of decorated boats carrying an image of the saint are common, and sometimes a special floating altar is set up, with decorations made out of shells and seaweed. Discuss


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go soft

To become overly lenient, easily manipulated, or apathetic; to lose strength or determination. Watch the video

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Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893)

Mahalanobis was an Indian scientist and applied statistician. He is best remembered for the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure he used in his pioneering studies in anthropometry—the study of human body measurement for use in anthropological classification and comparison. He founded the Indian Statistical Institute and contributed to the design of large scale sample surveys. His survey methods have been used to study things like tea-drinking habits, crop acreage, and what else? Discuss


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The Disappearance of the Mona Lisa

The world's most famous case of art theft—the removal of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911—was solved when museum employee Vincenzo Peruggia tried to sell the painting to a gallery in Italy. He had kept the masterpiece in his apartment for two years after having simply walked out of the museum with it hidden under his coat. What famous painter—some of whose own sketches would be stolen more than 50 years later—was questioned before Peruggia was caught? Discuss


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dyspepsia

Definition: (noun) Disturbed digestion.
Synonyms: indigestion, upset stomach.
Usage: Certain foods trigger his dyspepsia, so he makes sure to avoid them at all costs.
Discuss

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Picture of the day for June 29, 2016



Front view of the city Hall of A Coruña, also called Municipal Palace, during the blue hour, Galicia, Spain. The modernist building, in the María Pita Square in the center of the city, was built between 1908 and 1912 to a design of Pedro Ramiro Mariño. It was inaugurated in 1927 by king Alfonso XIII. The facade is 64 metres (210 ft) wide and has 43 windows. Four statues on the third floor represent the provinces of Galicia: A Coruña; Lugo; Orense; Pontevedra. Above them is the coat of arms of the city, flanked by two women symbolizing Peace, Industry, Work and Wisdom. The clock in the central tower has four large bells made of bronze and tin.. Learn more.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

philistinism

Definition: (noun) A desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters.
Synonyms: materialism.
Usage: His unabashed philistinism offended Susan, who had abandoned a lucrative business career to pursue her humanitarian interests.
Discuss

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drive (someone) potty

To make someone particularly annoyed, vexed, or crazy. Primarily heard in UK. Watch the video

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Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712)

Rousseau was a Swiss-French philosopher and writer who had a lasting impact on politics, literature, and education. In particular, he strongly influenced the theories of the French Revolution and the romantics. Many of his ideas stemmed from his belief in the natural goodness of man, who he felt had been warped by society. His Confessions, published posthumously in 1782, was a frank account of his life and was a founding work of autobiography. Why was he forced to flee France in 1762? Discuss


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Zhou Tong, the Archer

Zhou Tong was the archery teacher of famous Song Dynasty general Yue Fei. Zhou certainly led an impressive life, however, it was the publication of a fictional biography of Yue Fei during the Qing Dynasty that made Zhou into a local hao, or folk hero. Zhou's fictional exploits have since been chronicled in films, comic books, and even his own modern fictional biography. What unorthodox ritual did Yue Fei engage in to mourn his former teacher after Zhou's death in 1121? Discuss


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Ukraine Constitution Day

Having gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine began working on drafting a new constitution. The final document was written and approved by the country's parliament on June 28, 1996. The constitution created a democratic form of government that guarantees human rights and freedoms for its citizens under the rule of law. Since it is a fairly new holiday, traditions have not yet been established to celebrate the day. In Kiev, popular Ukrainian musicians and singers give concerts in Maidan Nezalezhnosty Square. Discuss


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Romania Cedes Bessarabia to the USSR (1940)

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the region of Bessarabia declared its independence and voted to unite with Romania. The Soviet Union never recognized Romania's right to the province and, in 1940, demanded that it cede Bessarabia. When Romania complied, the USSR set up the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic and incorporated the northern region into the Ukrainian SSR. Bessarabia remained divided after Ukraine and Moldavia declared independence in 1991. Where did the region get its name? Discuss


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Picture of the day for June 28, 2016



A red rock crab (Grapsus grapsus), Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.. Learn more.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Emma Goldman (1869)

Goldman was an American anarchist. She became active in the movement after 1889, and her speeches began to attract attention throughout the US. In 1893, she was imprisoned for inciting a riot. She was also imprisoned in 1916 for publicly advocating birth control and again in 1917 for obstructing the draft. She was deported to Russia in 1919 but left in 1921 because of her disagreement with the Bolshevik government. She was permitted to reenter the US for a lecture tour in 1934 on what condition? Discuss


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be potty about (something)

To be very excited or enthusiastic (about something). Primarily heard in UK. Watch the video

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Tajikistan Day of National Unity

On June 27, 1997, a treaty was signed between Islamic rebels and the Russian-backed Tajikistan government, bringing to an end a five-year-long civil war. The day is remembered as the Day of National Unity. On the Day of National Unity in 2007, the Tajik parliament passed a law granting amnesty to all rebels who had fought against the government, provided they had not committed murder, rape, human or drug trafficking, or terrorism. Some 2,000 prison inmates were released under the new law. The 2007 commemoration also marked the opening of 11 new buildings in the city of Dushanbe. Discuss


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Air France Flight 139 Hijacked (1976)

In 1976, a plane en route from Israel to France was hijacked by members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and flown to Entebbe, Uganda. The hijackers released 258 non-Israeli passengers and held the rest, demanding that Israel release 53 imprisoned PLO members. In response, Israel transported more than 100 commandos to Uganda. In what is now known as the Entebbe raid, seven hijackers, one soldier, and three hostages were killed and how many hostages were rescued? Discuss


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Faiyum Mummy Portraits

For the first three centuries CE, the people of Roman Egypt, especially those of the Faiyum region, used hot, pigmented wax to paint portraits of the dead on wooden or plaster-coated panels. Renowned for their naturalism, the detailed funerary masks, which were placed over the faces of Faiyum's ancient mummies, make up the richest body of portraiture to have survived from antiquity. What do some scholars claim the age of the subjects in the portraits says about life expectancy at the time? Discuss


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borecole

Definition: (noun) A hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head.
Synonyms: kale, Brassica oleracea acephala, colewort.
Usage: The aristocrats did not enjoy the health benefits of borecole because they considered it a peasant's food.
Discuss

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Picture of the day for June 27, 2016



Biblioteca Vasconcelos (Vasconcelos Library) is a library located in the north of Mexico City, Mexico. It opened in 2006 and by 2015 had 600,000 publications and books. The library plans to host up to 2 million items. The building, with an area of approximately 38,000 m2 (410,000 sq ft), had 1.7 million visitors in 2014 and can accommodate up to 5,000 people.. Learn more.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

vapid

Definition: (adjective) Lacking taste, zest, or flavor; flat.
Synonyms: flavorless, insipid, savorless, bland, flat.
Usage: The bar was rundown and filthy, serving vapid beer and stale peanuts.
Discuss

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Cuteness

The kind of innocent and youthful attractive beauty that we call cuteness may be a key to survival. Zoologist Konrad Lorenz, who first introduced it as a scientific concept in the study of animal behavior, argued in 1949 that cuteness—characterized by a combination of infantile features, such as big eyes, big heads, and shortened noses—triggers nurturing responses in adults, ultimately securing the survival of the species. What human behavior did Lorenz use as evidence of his theory? Discuss


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Conquistador Francisco Pizarro Killed (1541)

After multiple expeditions in the New World, Pizarro set sail for Peru in 1531 with 180 men. His men soon slaughtered the unarmed emissaries of the Inca emperor, Atahuallpa, and took him hostage. After accepting a rich ransom for Atahuallpa's release, Pizarro had him garroted and spent the rest of his life consolidating Spain's hold on the Inca empire in Peru. In 1535, he founded Lima, where he was killed by fellow Spaniards he had betrayed. What became of Pizarro's remains? Discuss


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St. Martha's Day (Fête de la Tarasque)

Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, is best known for her role in Jesus' visit to their house in Bethany. Martha's second legendary claim to fame is that she killed a dragon who was ravaging the Provençal countryside, in what is now known as Tarasçon in Provence, France. Every year on the last weekend in June, a procession takes place there that commemorates St. Martha's power. In the first procession, eight men walk next to the dragon's spiked body, which snaps at the crowd of spectators. In the second procession, the dragon trots along behind a young girl representing St. Martha. Discuss


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go out with the girls

To go and socialize somewhere with a group of exclusively female friends. Watch the video

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Violette Szabo (1921)

Szabo was a British secret agent during WWII. After her husband died in the war, Szabo, who was fluent in French, offered her services to the British Special Operations Executive. After intensive training, she parachuted into German-occupied France to reorganize a French resistance network. On her second mission, she was captured by the Nazis. She endured interrogation and torture before being transferred to a concentration camp, where she was later executed. How old was Szabo when she died? Discuss


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Picture of the day for June 26, 2016



Church of San Salvador in Torla, province of Huesca, Aragón, Spain. The church, of late Gothic style but with a Renaissance portal, dates from the 16th century. In the background are the mountains of Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.. Learn more.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Korean War Begins (1950)

After WWII, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel, with Soviet forces occupying the north and US forces occupying the south. Negotiations to reunify the two zones failed, and in 1950 the North invaded the South. US President Harry Truman ordered troops to assist South Korea, and the UN backed the mission. As UN troops advanced across North Korea, the People's Republic of China intervened, pushing them back to the original boundary at the 38th parallel. How many people were killed in the war? Discuss


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Codex Seraphinianus

Written and illustrated by Italian architect and industrial designer Luigi Serafini over a 30-month period from 1976 to 1978, Codex Seraphinianus is a visual encyclopedia of an unknown world. Each of the book's 11 chapters uses an incomprehensible alphabetic language and colorful textbook-style illustrations to describe the world's nature and various aspects of life, including its surreal animals, machines, and history. What chapter is thought to be the most abstract and enigmatic? Discuss


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tortuosity

Definition: (noun) The quality or condition of being tortuous; twistedness or crookedness.
Synonyms: crookedness, torsion, contortion.
Usage: The old tree was enormous, and they built a tree house in the tortuosities of its boughs.
Discuss

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Sidney Lumet (1924)

Lumet was an American film and television director with over 50 films to his name, three of which received Academy Award nominations for Best Director. He began acting as a child, appearing in Yiddish productions and on Broadway. After serving in WWII, he began directing plays and teaching acting. He directed more than 200 television dramas before making his debut as a movie director in 1957 with the acclaimed Twelve Angry Men. For what did Lumet receive an Academy Award in 2005? Discuss


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Keller Festival

This festival in Tuscumbia, Alabama, honors Helen Keller and her remarkable life. Born in Tuscumbia in 1880, she was left blind, deaf, and mute by illness at the age of 19 months. Helen learned to read and write and later graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College. She became known for her writings and toured the world to promote opportunities for blind and deaf persons. Festival events include art exhibits, musical entertainment, a parade, and historic tours. At Miss Keller's birthplace, Ivy Green, visitors can see the pump at which Helen learned her first word, "water." Discuss


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go out with the boys

To go and socialize somewhere with a group of exclusively male friends. Watch the video

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Picture of the day for June 25, 2016



Lögberg (icelandic for Law Rock), Þingvellir National Park, Southern Region, Iceland. The Lögberg was the place where Lawspeakers (lögsögumaður) presided over the Althing, the national parliament, from 930 until 1262 (when Iceland pledged allegiance to Norway). Speeches and announcements were made from the spot and anyone attending could make their argument from the Lögberg.. Learn more.

Friday, June 24, 2016

go out with a bang

To finish or cease doing something in a spectacular, great, or exciting manner. Watch the video

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Venezuela Battle of Carabobo Day

The Battle of Carabobo was fought in Venezuela on June 24, 1821, between the Spanish and the Venezuelan freedom fighters, led by Simón Bolívar. Their victory led to the independence of Venezuela. At the site of the battle is the Alley of Glory. It leads to the Triumphal Arch, which features two female figures representing peace and victory. The Battle of Carabobo Day is marked by a military parade in Carabobo. Discuss


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Ernst Heinrich Weber (1795)

Weber was a German physiologist who is known for his work on touch and for the formulation of Weber's law—which states that the increase in stimulus necessary to produce an increase in sensation is not fixed but depends on the strength of the preceding stimulus. Weber's law led to the discipline of psychophysics and serves as the basis of the scales used to measure the loudness of sounds. He is considered a founder of experimental psychology and is also known for what discoveries in anatomy? Discuss


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Cylinder Seals

A cylinder seal is a roller-like object made from hard stone, glass, or ceramics and engraved with a "picture story." Used in ancient times to roll an impression onto wet clay, seals incorporated sociological or religious images and were used to mark graves, doors, storage jars, amulets, and cloth. Later, they were even used to notarize clay documents. What ancient ruler is featured on a famous cylinder that depicts him aiming his bow at a lion? Discuss


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One of the First Major Outbreaks of St. John's Dance (1374)

Germany was the site of one of the first outbreaks of dancing mania, a phenomenon seen primarily in mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries. During such outbreaks, groups of up to thousands of people would dance uncontrollably, screaming, shouting, and claiming to have visions until they collapsed from exhaustion. Initially considered a curse sent by a saint, usually St. John the Baptist, it was called "St. John's Dance." To what do researchers now attribute the strange behavior? Discuss


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gamboge

Definition: (noun) A strong yellow color.
Synonyms: lemon yellow, maize, lemon.
Usage: His blood may be gamboge yellow with green spots, for all anybody knows.
Discuss

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Picture of the day for June 24, 2016



The tunnel of Cotefablo is a public traffic tunnel located between Broto and Biescas, in Aragon, not far from the Pyrenees, Spain. The tunnel is 683 m long and was constructed in 1935. It was the scene of a tragic accident during the 1989 Vuelta a España, causing the well-known German cyclist, Reimund Dietzen, to retire from the sport at age 30.. Learn more.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Bob Fosse (1927)

Born into a vaudeville family, Fosse began dancing professionally at age 13. He won his first Tony Award for choreographing the Broadway musical The Pajama Game in 1954 and went on to win six more Tonys for his choreography, which was known for its sensuality, precision, and jazz sensibility. His later hit shows included Damn Yankees and Sweet Charity—both starring his wife, Gwen Verdon. Fosse was the first person to win what three awards in the same year? Discuss


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Glassboro Summit Conference Begins (1967)

The Glassboro Summit Conference was a meeting between US President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin that took place at Hollybush mansion at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. Although the two leaders failed to reach agreement on anything important, the generally friendly atmosphere of the summit became known as the "Spirit of Glassboro" and is believed to have somewhat improved Soviet-US relations. What two wars were major subjects of discussion at the conference? Discuss


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go off in a huff

To leave in an angry, belligerent, or vexed mood. Watch the video

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Luxembourg National Day

On the eve of this national holiday, Dudelange hosts a torchlight procession, and the castle at Wiltz hosts a fête in the courtyard. Fireworks, parades, special religious services, public concerts, and dancing comprise the elaborate celebration in the capital city of Luxembourg. On National Day, people assemble in the capital not only to celebrate their independence, but also to observe the official birthday of the Grand Duke. The people there identify strongly with their country and speak their own language, known as Luxembourgeois. Discuss


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Chatterbots

If you had a recent conversation with ELIZA, PARRY, A.L.I.C.E., or ELLA, you were talking to a chatterbot, a computer program designed to simulate an intelligent conversation with human users through auditory or textual prompts. Though many appear to be interpreting human input before providing a response, most chatterbots simply scan for keywords and pull a similar reply from a database. Some people find these sorts of conversations engaging. What book was allegedly written by a chatterbot? Discuss


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extirpate

Definition: (verb) To destroy totally.
Synonyms: eradicate, exterminate, uproot.
Usage: The tyrant's first order of business upon assuming power was to extirpate the vestiges of political democracy.
Discuss

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Picture of the day for June 23, 2016



View of the Tower of Hercules and the surrounding park at sunrise. The park is located near the center of A Coruña, Galicia, north-western coast of Spain. The 55 m (180 ft)-high tower is 1900 years old and is the oldest Roman lighthouse in use today. It is also the second-tallest lighthouse in Spain, after the Faro de Chipiona. The lighthouse was renovated in 1791 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009.. Learn more.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Lymph Nodes

These white blood cell-filled filters are the lymphatic system's filtration units. They collect and destroy dangerous bacteria, viruses, and foreign particles that infiltrate the body. There are approximately 500 to 600 lymph nodes throughout the body, with clusters in the neck, underarms, chest, groin, and abdomen. The bean-shaped nodes normally range in size from a few millimeters up to 2 centimeters but may become enlarged due to the presence of a tumor. What else causes lymph nodes to swell? Discuss


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HMS Victoria Accidentally Rammed and Sunk (1893)

The HMS Victoria was a Royal Navy battleship that collided with another Royal Navy battleship, the HMS Camperdown, near Tripoli, Lebanon, during maneuvers. The Victoria capsized and quickly sank, killing 358 crew members, including the commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon. In 2004, after a decade-long search, a Lebanese diver located the wreckage in 492 ft (150 m) of water. What is unusual about the orientation of the wreck? Discuss


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Paul Morphy (1837)

Morphy was an American chess player widely considered to have been the world's greatest. He earned a law degree at 18 but was ineligible to practice until 21, so he turned to chess to pass the time. He won the American championship and then beat the European masters, making a name for himself as the unofficial world chess champion. After failing to set up a law practice, he went into seclusion and retired from competitive play. How many opponents could he play simultaneously while blindfolded? Discuss


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nimiety

Definition: (noun) Superfluity; excess.
Synonyms: excess, surplus, surplusage.
Usage: After her long nap, the baby had a nimiety of energy that exhausted her parents.
Discuss

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St. Alban's Day

St. Alban is the first and best known of all the English saints and martyrs. He was a soldier living as a pagan in the town of Verulamium, probably during the 3rd century, when a Christian priest named Amphibalus, pursued by Roman persecutors, begged for refuge in his house. Alban took him in and was soon converted by him and baptized. When he could conceal Amphibalus no longer, Alban changed clothes with him and gave himself up as the priest. Alban was brought before the governor, condemned, and beheaded. A shrine was later erected in Verulamium, and the town was renamed St. Albans. Discuss


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anonymous tip

Information about something (typically criminal or illegal activity) that is offered by an anonymous source. Watch the video

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Picture of the day for June 22, 2016



Galapagos lava lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis) in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.. Learn more.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

US Captures Guam from Spain (1898)

Visited by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, Guam was formally claimed by Spain in 1565 and remained under Spanish control until 1898, when it was taken by the US in the Spanish-American War. Because the Spanish garrison on the island had no knowledge of the war, the US sent a single Navy cruiser, the USS Charleston, and was able to capture Guam without a fight. At the end of the war, Guam was officially ceded to the US under the Treaty of Paris. How many Spanish soldiers were captured on Guam? Discuss


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Broca's Area

Also called the motor speech center, Broca's area is a section of the human brain involved in language processing, speech production, and comprehension. The region is named after 19th century physician Paul Broca, who located it in the frontal lobe of the cortex. Damage to the area can result in a condition called Broca's aphasia, which renders sufferers unable to create grammatically complex sentences. In his research, Broca worked closely with a patient who could only produce what five words? Discuss


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abysmal failure

Failure that is total and extreme in measure or implication. Watch the video

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Al Hirschfeld (1903)

Hirschfeld was an American graphic artist and caricaturist who was famous for his witty, perceptive, and joyful caricatures of theater celebrities and other public personalities. After becoming a theater correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune, he worked for The New York Times, where many of his caricatures appeared. Hirschfeld also wrote and illustrated several books. Beginning in 1945, Hirschfeld concealed what in almost every drawing that he made? Discuss


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airscrew

Definition: (noun) A propeller that rotates to push against air.
Synonyms: prop.
Usage: The model airplane had an airscrew powered by a rubber band.
Discuss

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Greenland National Day

The people of Greenland celebrate National Day on June 21, the longest day of the year. They call the holiday Ullortuneq in Greenlandic, which means "the longest day." They celebrate the occasion with communal picnics, shows, and many cultural activities. Since Greenland's current flag was formally instituted on June 21, 1985, they also honor the national flag on this day. Discuss


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Picture of the day for June 21, 2016



View of the main nave of the church of the monastery of San Martiño Pinario, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. The church, finished in 1652, was the work of Mateo López, González de Araújo, Bartolomé Fernández Lechuga, and José de Peña y Toro. The jewel of the church is the elaborate altarpiece, designed by Fernando de Casas Novoa in the Baroque style.. Learn more.