Miguel de Cervantes

Can there be hope where fear is? Discuss


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nosegay

Definition: (noun) A small bunch of flowers.
Synonyms: bouquet, corsage, posy.
Usage: The wedding was informal and intimate, with the bride wearing a simple white dress and holding a nosegay of daisies.
Discuss

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Casey Jones Dies on the Cannonball Express (1900)

Jones was an American locomotive engineer whose main claim to fame, until his fateful run on the Cannonball Express, was his punctuality. On April 30, 1900, he was driving the Cannonball Express south on a dangerous, accident-prone run when he suddenly saw a stalled freight train ahead. Instead of jumping to safety, he stayed to slow his train, saving his coworkers and passengers but losing his own life in the process. Who wrote the ballad that immortalized him as a folk hero? Discuss


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in(to) shape

In good, robust health; strong or fit. Watch the video

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Willie Nelson (1933)

Nelson is an American musician who helped create the blues-rock-country genre known as "outlaw music." In his five-decade career, he has made more than 200 recordings. In the 1960s, he became a successful songwriter in Nashville but was not recognized for his own singing until he moved back to Texas and adopted the unique image that made him an icon. He is known for raising money to aid farmers and for his generous appearances at benefit concerts. What hit song did he write for Patsy Cline? Discuss


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Forget-Me-Nots

Though they belong to a genus with roughly 50 species, most forget-me-nots are small, flat, five-petalled blue flowers with straggly stems. According to legend, the flowers received their name when a medieval knight, picking a posy for his lady by a riverside, fell into the water and drowned under the weight of his armor. As he was drowning, he threw the bouquet to his lover and shouted, "Forget me not!" Christian tradition, however, attributes the flower's name to what event? Discuss


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Liberation Day (Vietnam)

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War officially came to an end as communist North Vietnamese tanks rolled onto the grounds of the Presidential Palace in the South Vietnamese capital city of Saigon. The Vietnamese hold celebrations throughout the month of April that culminate on April 30th, when the entire nation celebrates the final victory in Saigon (now named Ho Chi Minh City). In Ho Chi Minh City, there are military parades featuring marching bands and Vietnam War veterans. Fireworks are shot off to mark the hour when the South Vietnamese government officially surrendered. Discuss


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inebriant

Definition: (noun) An intoxicant.
Synonyms: alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, alcohol.
Usage: He guzzled the inebriant like a thirsty man would water and promptly dropped to the floor with a thud.
Discuss

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Joseph Conrad

The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it. Discuss


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Bog Bodies

Because of their extreme acidity, bogs form a natural preservative and have been found to be a valuable repository of human remains. Over the past two centuries, hundreds of bodies—some of which date back 10,000 years—have been recovered from bogs throughout Europe. These unusually preserved corpses often remain so intact that even intricate details like tattoos and fingerprints can still be distinguished. How did many of the people whose remains have been recovered from the bogs die? Discuss


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Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis (1957)

The son of a British poet laureate and an actress, Day-Lewis is one of the most respected and critically acclaimed actors today. He is also one of the most selective, working only sporadically and maintaining a low profile between films. The intense method actor has won two Academy Awards for best actor, for 1989's My Left Foot and 2007's There Will Be Blood, and is known for his diverse and convincing roles. In 1997, he disappeared and became an apprentice in Italy—in what trade? Discuss


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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

A 10-day feast for the ears, the eyes, and the stomach held in New Orleans, Louisiana, this festival brings together thousands of musicians, artisans, and cooks who do their thing for more than half a million visitors. The concerts feature not only traditional and contemporary jazz, but also other music forms developed in New Orleans: ragtime, country, Cajun, zydeco, gospel, folk, and Latin. Food tents serve a multitude of indigenous foods, such as jambalaya, andouille, crawfish bisque, gumbo, frog legs, and so on. Hundreds of artisans also display their crafts. Discuss


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Oldsmobile Builds Its Last Car (2004)

Founded in 1897 by Ransom Olds, Oldsmobile—not Ford—was the first company to mass produce automobiles. After it became part of General Motors in 1908, it shifted to making luxury vehicles. Sales soared in the 1970s and 80s—the Cutlass was the top-selling car in America in 1976—but by the 90s, Oldsmobile had lost its market to other GM divisions. Amid declining profitability, GM discontinued the line in 2004 after 107 years. The first Oldsmobile was the Curved Dash. What was the last? Discuss


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in plain view

In full, unrestricted view; visibly, openly, or publicly. Watch the video

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redolent

Definition: (adjective) Having or emitting fragrance.
Synonyms: aromatic.
Usage: The whole atmosphere was redolent with the savory fumes of roast meat.
Discuss

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The Hammond Circus Train Wreck

On June 22, 1918, a locomotive pulling 20 empty passenger cars rear-ended the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train near Hammond, Indiana. The wreck and subsequent fire—likely ignited by the oil lamps in the circus train's wooden sleeping cars—resulted in 86 deaths and 127 injuries. Most of the dead were buried five days later in a nearby cemetery in a section called Showmen's Rest, which had been purchased by the Showmen's League of America just months earlier. What caused the collision? Discuss


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Penn Relay Carnival

The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field event in the United States. The first relay meet held on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia was on April 21, 1895, but even back then the tents and atmosphere contributed to its reputation as a carnival rather than just a series of races. Since that time, the Penn Relays have served as a springboard for athletes who later went on to win Olympic medals. It is also a breeding ground for rising track and field stars, with more than 700 high school teams and 180 college teams participating. Discuss


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Charles de Gaulle Resigns as President of France (1969)

A celebrated general and statesman, de Gaulle was elected first president of France's Fifth Republic—a system of government with broad executive powers—in 1959. He helped write the constitution and pushed for direct popular election of the president. The mass civil unrest of May 1968 by students and workers almost toppled his government, and in 1969 de Gaulle was defeated in a referendum on constitutional amendments and resigned. He died just a year later. Whom did he bar from his funeral? Discuss


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in order that

So that; with the particular aim or purpose of. Watch the video

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Nelle Harper Lee (1926)

The daughter of an Alabama lawyer, Lee studied law before publishing her first and only novel in 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird, the story of a white lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of raping a white girl, immediately found national acclaim. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was adapted for film the next year. Though her novel is still widely read, Lee has largely stayed out of the spotlight. What did she write in response to a school board's decision to ban her novel? Discuss


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Storm Chasing

Broadly defined as the pursuit of any severe weather condition, storm chasing is an endeavor with motives ranging from thrill-seeking to serious scientific research. Although witnessing a tornado is the primary goal for most storm chasers, many enjoy watching thunderstorms, hail, lightning, and other meteorological events as well. Storm chasers are most active in May and June in the American Great Plains region. Who is generally considered the first storm chaser? Discuss


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Buccaneer Days

During Buccanner Days, the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, by proclamation of the mayor, is under pirate rule. What began in 1938 to honor the discovery of Corpus Christi Bay by Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez Pineda in 1519 has become a month-long carnival, calling to mind the days when the settlement was a hideaway for pirates. Pirates sail into town, capture the mayor, and demand revelry throughout the city. Events include a professional rodeo, sailboat regattas, parades, sporting events, concerts, a coronation and ball, and fireworks on the bayfront. Discuss


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in the pocket of (someone)

Under the direct control or influence of someone or some group. Watch the video

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exothermic

Definition: (adjective) Releasing heat.
Synonyms: heat-releasing, exothermal.
Usage: Scientists use a calorimeter to measure the amount of heat released during an exothermic reaction.
Discuss

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US President Abraham Lincoln Suspends Habeas Corpus (1861)

In law, habeas corpus is a writ ordering that a person be brought before a judge, especially to decide whether a prisoner's detention is lawful. Its suspension means that prisoners can be held indefinitely without being charged. During the US Civil War, President Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to arrest and silence Southern dissenters. A legal battle ensued, and Lincoln prevailed. How was habeas corpus treated in the Confederacy at this time? Discuss


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Ulysses S. Grant (1822)

Though he served with bravery in the Mexican-American War, Grant resigned his post several years later, possibly due to his heavy drinking. However, he returned to serve in the US Civil War and won a string of brilliant victories. Three years after Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to him, ending the war, Grant was elected president. Still, he spent his final years in poverty after being swindled by a friend. Days before his death, he did what to secure his family's finances? Discuss


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Operation Praying Mantis

In April 1988, US naval forces launched Operation Praying Mantis, attacking several Iranian targets in retaliation for the mining of an American warship in the Persian Gulf. The battle, the largest for American surface forces since World War II, was the first surface-to-surface missile engagement in US Navy history. It resulted in the sinking of two Iranian warships and three speedboats and helped pressure Iran into a ceasefire that ended its eight-year war with what neighboring country? Discuss


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shutout

Definition: (noun) A defeat in a game where one side fails to score.
Synonyms: skunk.
Usage: The coach knew that if his team could score just one point, it would avoid the humiliation of a shutout.
Discuss

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on (someone's) behalf

For the benefit, interest, or support of someone; as an agent, representative, or in place of someone. Watch the video

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Syria Ends Occupation of Lebanon (2005)

In 1976, with his country embroiled in a deadly civil war, the Lebanese president turned to Syria for assistance. At his request, Syrian forces entered Lebanon. Despite their 29-year presence, the Syrians were unable to secure lasting stability. By 2005, Syrian influence in Lebanese government had provoked protests, which intensified after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and Syrian troops finally withdrew in April. When did the two countries re-establish diplomatic relations? Discuss


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John Audubon Day

John James Audubon (1785-1851) was America's foremost ornithological illustrator. After his death in 1851, Audubon's wife Lucy returned to teaching to support herself. One of her students, George Bird Grinnell, in 1886 organized the Audubon Society for the study and protection of birds. Today there are many branches of this organization, known as the National Audubon Society, and its members honor Audubon on his birthday, April 26. In some states, Audubon Day and Arbor Day are celebrated together by planting trees in bird sanctuaries. Discuss


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Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix (1798)

Considered the foremost painter of the Romantic movement in France, Delacroix is known for his dramatic interpretations of scenes from mythology, literature, and political, religious, and literary history and for his sensuous use of color. His most influential work is 1830's revolution-themed Liberty Leading the People, which likely inspired the design of the Statue of Liberty. During a trip to Morocco, he painted many scenes of North African life. Why did he struggle to find subjects? Discuss


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W. Somerset Maugham

Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit. Discuss


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The Horae

The Horae, whose name literally means the "Hours," are three goddesses in Greek mythology who are said to control orderly life. Traditionally, there are thought to be two generations, or sets, of Horae: Thallo, Auxo, and Carpo—the goddesses of spring, summer, and autumn—and Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene, charged with maintaining the stability of society. In addition, there are the 12 tutelary goddesses also called hours, each of which presides over an hour of the day. Who parented the Horae? Discuss


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United Negro College Fund Established (1944)

Founded in 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson and Mary McLeod Bethune, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) provides college tuition for African-American students and scholarship funds for its approximately 40 member colleges. Many of its beneficiaries are the first in their families to attend college, and it counts many distinguished individuals among its alumni, including Martin Luther King, Jr. The UNCF motto is one of the most well known slogans in the history of advertising. What is it? Discuss


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Feria de San Marcos (Fair of St. Mark)

The Fair of St. Mark, which is held annually for nearly a month in Aguascalientes, dates back to the early 17th century and remains one of Mexico's most famous fiestas. It is primarily a showcase for the country's more than 200 forms of ritual and folk dance, each of which has its own meaning, mythology, history, and pageantry. There are also commercial and art exhibits, cockfights, bullfights, sports competitions, parades, and a battle of flowers. Discuss


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walloping

Definition: (noun) A sound thrashing or defeat.
Synonyms: debacle, drubbing, thrashing, trouncing, whipping, slaughter.
Usage: The tournament was an embarrassment, with our team receiving a thorough walloping from the opponent.
Discuss

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Karel Appel (1921)

Appel was a Dutch painter and sculptor and co-founder of the abstract expressionist group COBRA, whose members hailed from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Active from 1948 to 1951, the group created work featuring primary colors and spontaneous brushwork. Appel's own style was characterized by violent color and crude, reductive figures. Later in life, he turned to creating figurative sculptures in wood and metal. What was done to censor Appel's controversial fresco in Amsterdam City Hall? Discuss


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in one blow

All at once, with a single decisive or powerful action. Watch the video

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Feast of the Blajini

Among rural people in Romania there is a widespread belief in the existence of the Blajini, the "Meek" or "Kindly Ones"—a lost race who don't understand the ways of human beings. On the Monday after Easter Monday, Romanian women and children throw red Easter egg shells on running streams, since they believe that all the world's streams eventually flow into a single river, alongside of which live the Blajini. Their hope is that the Blajini will find the shells and know it is time to celebrate the Easter feast. Discuss


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Sue Taylor Grafton (1940)

A onetime screenwriter, Grafton began writing detective novels after a bitter and protracted custody battle left her daydreaming about the vengeful crimes she would have liked to commit but could not. As a means of escape, she created private detective Kinsey Millhone, the protagonist in a series of alphabet-titled novels such as A is for Alibi and B is for Burglar. After G Is for Gumshoe, she was able to quit screenwriting. Why won't she sell the film rights to her books? Discuss


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pauperism

Definition: (noun) A state of extreme poverty or destitution.
Synonyms: indigence, penury, need.
Usage: Two children begged for money on the subway, and their pauperism weighed heavily on the minds of the train's passengers.
Discuss

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Radiocarbon Dating

Radiocarbon dating is a method for determining the age of carbonaceous materials—especially ancient archaeological specimens—that relies on the presence of a naturally occurring isotope called carbon-14. After an organism dies, the amount of carbon-14 in its remains gradually decreases through radioactive beta decay. Measuring the amount of carbon-14 in an organism's remains thus allows scientists to determine how long it has been dead. How do atomic bombs affect atmospheric carbon-14 levels? Discuss


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Hersheypark Opens in Pennsylvania (1907)

Milton Hershey, founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, originally created Hersheypark for his employees. Situated along a creek, it was a good spot for boating, picnicking, and enjoying baseball, which is what visitors did on the park's first day in 1907. The next year, the park added its first ride, a carousel. Over the decades, as the park expanded, it grew from a regional amusement to a national attraction. In what year did it bring the first looping roller coaster to the East Coast? Discuss


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in (one's) heyday

In, at, or during the period of one's greatest success, power, vigor, etc. Watch the video

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apostasy

Definition: (noun) Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.
Synonyms: defection, renunciation.
Usage: He had been very devoted to his cause, so when he declared his apostasy to the crowd, there was an audible gasp.
Discuss

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Caribou

Caribou, or reindeer, are wild, North American arctic and subarctic deer that are capable of traveling 3,000 mi (5,000 km) a year and reaching speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h). Each year, millions of caribou in northern Canada and Alaska migrate in large herds, using their wide, sharp-edged hooves to travel on snow and ice and even swim across wide lakes or rivers. Caribou derive their name from a word in the Mi'kmaq language meaning "snow-shoveler"—a reference to their habit of doing what? Discuss


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Grand National Assembly of Turkey Is Founded (1920)

The treaty negotiated between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire at the end of WWI liquidated the Ottoman Empire and virtually abolished Turkish sovereignty, but nationalists under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were committed to establishing a sovereign Turkish state. During the struggle for independence, Atatürk pushed for the creation of a national assembly, which declared itself the supreme governing power when convened in 1920. When did it formally declare the sovereignty of Turkey? Discuss


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Holocaust Memorial Day (Israel)

Holocaust Memorial Day, or Yom ha-Shoah, was established by Israel's Knesset (parliament) as a memorial to the six million Jews slaughtered by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. It is observed on the 27th day of the month of Nisan, the day on which Allied troops liberated the first Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, Germany, in 1945. It is a commemoration that is observed by many non-Jewish people around the world. Discuss


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hold (someone) in good stead

Especially of a talent, ability, or experience, to prove particularly useful or beneficial to someone in the future. Watch the video

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Max Planck (1858)

Planck was an influential German physicist whose work on black body radiation earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918. He also discovered the elementary quantum of action, now known as Planck's constant. As the influential president of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, he denounced Hitler's persecution of Jewish scientists and resigned in protest in 1937. Tragically, four of Planck's five children died before he did. One of his sons was executed after being implicated in what plot? Discuss


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vestige

Definition: (noun) A visible trace, evidence, or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more.
Synonyms: tincture, trace, shadow.
Usage: He was so deadly pale—which had not been the case when they went in together—that no vestige of color was to be seen in his face.
Discuss

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Japanese Embassy Hostage Crisis Ends in Lima, Peru (1997)

The Japanese ambassador to Peru was holding a party at his home in Lima on December 17, 1996, when 14 members of a revolutionary militant group stormed the compound, taking more than 400 guests hostage. Most were released in the following weeks, but 72 Japanese and Peruvian hostages were held until April, when Peruvian military forces swarmed the building and killed the militants. Only one hostage and two commandos died, and the raid was deemed a success. What had been the militants' demands? Discuss


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Oklahoma Day

The Land Run of April 22, 1889, paved the way for the organization of the Oklahoma Territory in 1890, and for Oklahoma's statehood in 1907. Also known as Oklahoma 89ers Day, the celebration on April 22 focuses on the town of Guthrie, the site of the original land office about 80 miles from the starting border, and each year Guthrie observes its anniversary with an 89ers festival. Elsewhere in Oklahoma, the day is celebrated with parades, rodeos, and events based on the land rush theme. Discuss


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Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder in which gluten—a protein found in wheat and other flours—generates an inflammatory response in the small intestine, damaging tissue and impairing nutrient absorption. A lifelong gluten-free diet is the only effective way to relieve symptoms, which include diarrhea, weight loss, and depression. Though it was observed as early as 200 CE, celiac disease's link to wheat remained undiscovered until 1950. What natural event may have contributed to the discovery? Discuss


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in full gear

At the highest or maximum level of function, operation, or performance. Watch the video

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Peter Kenneth Frampton (1950)

British rocker Peter Frampton performed with successful bands The Herd and Humble Pie before going solo in 1971. His breakthrough album, 1976's Frampton Comes Alive!, remains one of the best-selling live albums of all time. It includes hits such as "Do You Feel Like We Do?" and "Show Me The Way," which feature his signature talk box effect that makes the guitar sound like it is "talking." Why did Frampton regret appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone at the height of his success? Discuss


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John Muir (1838)

Once an aspiring industrial engineer, US conservationist John Muir devoted himself to nature after losing an eye in an 1867 factory accident. That year, he walked from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, a journey of about 1,000 mi (1,600 km). He then moved to California and spent much of the next 12 years traveling and writing about nature. He promoted the idea of national forest preserves and helped establish Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. What four items did he take on his backcountry hikes? Discuss


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World's Fair Starts in Seattle, Washington (1962)

Hosted at the dawn of the Space Age, the 1962 World's Fair featured a glittering array of futuristic technology. Nearly 10 million people came to see the new cars and gadgets or ride to the top of the new Space Needle. While its technology was advanced, the fair anticipated none of the social changes soon to come—the society of the future looked like that of 1950s, but with gyrocopters. Why did US President John F. Kennedy lie, claiming to be too sick to attend the closing ceremony? Discuss


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arduous

Definition: (adjective) Demanding great effort or labor; difficult.
Synonyms: backbreaking, grueling, laborious, toilsome, punishing, hard, heavy.
Usage: The roofer's work was so arduous that he was forced to take numerous medications to relieve the pain in his back.
Discuss

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Blood Eagle Torture

Referenced in some Norse saga literature, the Blood Eagle is a form of torture and execution performed by cutting the victim's ribs by the spine, breaking them to resemble blood-stained wings, and pulling the lungs out through the gaping wound. Though some cite archaeological evidence of the practice, others argue that it never occurred and that accounts of the method are based on folklore or inaccurate translations. Which Viking Age rulers were reportedly victims of the gruesome torture? Discuss


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in front of (one's) nose

Immediately obvious or clearly apparent. Watch the video

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Fiesta San Antonio

The Fiesta San Antonio is a 10-day extravaganza of events held since 1901 in San Antonio, Texas, including San Jacinto Day, April 21. The highlight of the fiesta is the Battle of Flowers Parade alongside the Alamo. Merrymakers originally pelted each other with flowers, but now people crush cascarones, decorated eggshells filled with confetti, on each others' heads. Some 150 other events include concerts, fashion shows, art fairs, a charreada (Mexican rodeo), torchlit floats in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, and decorated barges in the San Antonio River Parade. Discuss


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Alexandre Dumas

Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. Discuss


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maverick

Definition: (adjective) Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence.
Synonyms: unorthodox, irregular.
Usage: He was a maverick politician and refused to align himself with any of the established parties.
Discuss

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Ernesto Antonio "Tito" Puente, Jr. (1923)

One of the premier composers and players of Latin music, Puente was an American bandleader, pianist, and virtuoso percussionist. He formed his own band in 1947 and rose to prominence with the salsa, mambo, merengue, and cha-cha-cha fads of the 1950s. Always experimenting, he became a pioneer of Latin-jazz fusion and recorded more than 100 albums, winning multiple Grammy awards. His compositions include "Pare Cochero" and "Oye Como Va." On what TV shows did Puente appear as a guest star? Discuss


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Sun Dog Phenomenon Observed over Stockholm (1535)

Today, the science behind parhelia—also known as "sun dogs"—is well understood, but when the huge, glowing halos and miniature suns appeared in the sky above Stockholm in 1535, it was a major event. A painting of the occurrence is the earliest color depiction of Stockholm, then a crowded cluster of stone buildings on an island. It is also the earliest depiction of sun dogs and is largely scientifically accurate. What were some of the conflicting interpretations of the omen at the time? Discuss


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Tin Hau Festival

This birthday festival in Hong Kong celebrates Tin Hau, queen of Heaven and goddess of the sea. Also known as Tien-hou or Matsu, she is revered for her ability to calm the waves and to guarantee bountiful catches, and for her protection from shipwrecks and sickness. The festivities include parades, performances of Chinese opera, and the sailing of hundreds of junks and sampans, decked out with colorful streamers, through Hong Kong's waterways to the temples. The temple in Joss House Bay is especially known for its festival, which attracts thousands of fisherfolk. Discuss


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inside and out

Thoroughly; down to the last detail. Watch the video

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The Blue Whale

Perhaps the largest animal to have ever lived, the blue whale can grow to be 100 ft (30.5 m) long and weigh as much as 200 tons. It eats as much as 4 tons of krill a day, and its massive mouth can hold up to 100 tons of food and water, but its throat restricts the passage of anything wider than a beach ball. Once abundant, it was nearly hunted to extinction before being placed under the protection of the international community in 1966. What is the blue whale's only natural predator? Discuss


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Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger Is Elected Pope (2005)

Ordained in 1951, the German-born Ratzinger came to be regarded as the most influential person in the Catholic hierarchy after the pope through his high-profile positions within the church and his uncompromising stance on Catholic teachings. He presided over the funeral of Pope John Paul II as dean of the College of Cardinals and, after just two days and four ballots, was elected pope in one of the fastest papal elections in a century. Why did he pray not to be elected during the papal conclave? Discuss


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Cerealia

Ceres was the ancient Roman goddess of grain and of harvests, often identified with the Greek goddess Demeter. The festival known as Cerealia was observed at various locations only by Roman matrons, who, for several days preceding the festival, abstained from wine and other carnal pleasures. People who were in mourning were not allowed to appear at the celebration. For this reason, the Cerealia was not observed after the Battle of Cannae, when 50,000 Roman troops were killed by Hannibal. Discuss


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