irreverent

Definition: (adjective) Characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality.
Synonyms: impertinent, pert, saucy.
Usage: Sally's irreverent gaiety and ease of manner drew people to her and made her immediately likeable.
Discuss

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Paperweights

Appreciated more for their aesthetic value than their practical aspects, paperweights are collected as examples of fine craftsmanship by approximately 20,000 enthusiasts worldwide. Produced both by sole artisans and in factories where artists and technicians collaborate, paperweights come in many different varieties, and their value is determined based on their design, rarity, and condition. What was the record sum once paid for an antique French paperweight? Discuss


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Pulp Fiction Hero "The Shadow" Debuts on the Radio (1930)

The fictional, crime-fighting vigilante known as The Shadow originally debuted as the announcer of Detective Story Hour, a radio program that was quickly eclipsed by the popularity of its own narrator. The following year The Shadow got his own magazine and became one of pulp fiction's most enduring heroes, entering film and television. The radio show was re-named The Shadow and ran for more than 25 years. What comic book hero refers to The Shadow as his biggest inspiration? Discuss


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Milton Friedman (1912)

Friedman was an American economist and a leading US advocate of monetarism, the belief that a nation's money supply is the chief determinant of its economy. He wrote numerous books and was a frequent television commentator and magazine columnist, which made him one of the most publicly familiar US economists. Friedman served as an adviser to US presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. To what South American country did he provide economic advice following a military coup? Discuss


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Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola

St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) founded the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic religious order whose members are known as Jesuits. The Feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated by Jesuits everywhere, but particularly in the Basque region of Spain where he was born. The largest Basque community in North America, located in Boise, Idaho, holds its annual St. Ignatius Loyola Picnic on the last weekend in July—an event often referred to as the Basque Festival. Discuss


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(something) won't get (someone) anywhere

Something, typically a certain behavior, will not help someone progress or succeed in any way. Watch the video

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Picture of the day for July 31, 2017

Golestan Palace is the former royal Qajar complex in Iran's capital city, Tehran. The UNESCO World Heritage Site belongs to a group of royal buildings that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran's arg ("citadel") and is one of the oldest of the historic monuments in the city.. Learn more.

Medicare and Medicaid Are Established (1965)

The Social Security Act of 1935 established national social insurance, welfare, and other assistance programs in the US, but it did not address healthcare. Years later, President Harry Truman drew attention to this issue when he unsuccessfully lobbied for the establishment of a national healthcare program. By the 1960s, the political climate was more open to reform, and the Social Security Act amendments creating Medicare and Medicaid were passed. What is the difference between the two programs? Discuss


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complaisant

Definition: (adjective) Exhibiting a desire or willingness to please.
Synonyms: obliging.
Usage: In her behavior she was respectful and complaisant, even to servility: she attempted to flatter and fawn upon me at first, but I soon checked that.
Discuss

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The Yellow Emperor

Known as the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi is one of China's five mythical prehistoric emperors who, according to tradition, created the basic elements of Chinese civilization. He is said to have reigned from 2697 BCE to 2597 BCE and is regarded as the ancestor of all Han Chinese, the largest ethnic group in the world; the founder of Taoism; and the inventor of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. According to legend, Huangdi's wife is said to have taught the Chinese to do what? Discuss


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Boeteprocessie (Procession of the Penitents, Belgium)

The Procession of the Penitents is a religious procession in Veurne, West Flanders, Belgium. Penitents in coarse robes and hoods walk barefoot through town, many carrying heavy wooden crosses. The procession, to the sound of drumbeats, is interspersed with scenes depicting biblical events. At the end of the procession, bishops parade carrying the Sacred Host; and as the Sacrament passes, spectators quietly kneel. After the procession is over there is a kermess, or fair, in the marketplace. Discuss


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Smedley Darlington Butler (1881)

Born to a Quaker family in Pennsylvania, Butler joined the US Marines as a teenager. He was decorated for bravery and leadership and advanced through the ranks, but, after retiring, he became a proponent of isolationism and an outspoken critic of the government. He believed that he and the military had been used to further the business interests of wealthy Americans under the pretense of defending the country. According to legend, whose long-lost amputated arm did Butler once locate? Discuss


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be not just another pretty face

To have distinguishing achievements, intelligence, skills, or abilities beyond what was or may have been assumed. Watch the video

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Picture of the day for July 30, 2017

Composite image of the central region of our Milky Way galaxy.. Learn more.

junkyard dog

An especially nasty, vicious, or savage person or animal (especially a dog). Of a person, often used in the phrase "meaner than a junkyard dog." Watch the video

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Autostereograms

Autostereograms are optical illusions of depth that are designed to trick the brain into perceiving a three-dimensional scene in a two-dimensional image. The simplest type, known as a wallpaper autostereogram, consists of horizontally repeating patterns that appear to float in the air above the background. In order to perceive the 3D shapes, the brain must overcome the normally automatic coordination between focusing and convergence. What are the two ways that an autostereogram can be viewed? Discuss


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tenuity

Definition: (noun) Relatively small dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width.
Synonyms: thinness, slenderness.
Usage: She marveled at the tenuity of the cotton threads delicately woven together to create a durable fabric.
Discuss

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Discovery of Dwarf Planet Eris Is Announced (2005)

Though Eris was first photographed in 2003, scientists working at the Palomar Observatory did not realize that they had captured pictures of a previously unknown planet until re-analyzing the images in 2005. That year, news of the newly discovered planet was announced. Slightly larger than Pluto, the icy dwarf planet has its own moon, Dysnomia, and is one of the most distant objects in the solar system. Before its official naming in 2006, it was popularly known by the name of what TV character? Discuss


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Ken Burns (1953)

Burns is an acclaimed American director and producer of lengthy historical documentaries. Known for his extensive use of archival footage and photographs, he is considered one of the most influential documentarians in the US. His films have been among public television's most-watched programs, and include The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, and The National Parks. The Civil War is considered to be his masterpiece. What is the "Ken Burns Effect"? Discuss


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Ghanafest

Ghanafest is a one-day, annual event held on the last Saturday of July and sponsored by the Ghana Club of Chicago and other associations representing Ghanians in the Chicago area. The festival celebrates the history and culture of the west African nation and recognizes the bond of unity between Ghana and the United States. The festival includes a Ghanian Durbar, or gathering of the royal court. Entertainers from Ghana perform in a variety of musical styles, and marketplace vendors offer wares ranging from textiles, fine art, and jewelry to foods, including fried fish, Jollof-rice, and okro-soup. Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 29, 2017

The Skaftafellsheiði plateau, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland, provides a picturesque view of Skaftafellsjökull, a glacier terminus of the Vatnajökull, the adjacent glacier lake below, and River Skeiðará originating from it.. Learn more.

Thomas Cromwell Is Executed (1540)

Arguably the architect of the Reformation, Cromwell was an English statesman who gained nearly complete control of the government as the closest advisor of King Henry VIII of England. Cromwell abused his power but only fell from Henry's favor after convincing him to marry Anne of Cleves, whom Henry found unattractive. After the marriage fizzled, Anne was sent away with a generous pension, but Cromwell was beheaded—on the same day that Henry did what? Discuss


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juxtaposition

Definition: (noun) The act of positioning close together (or side by side).
Synonyms: apposition, collocation.
Usage: The juxtaposition of the skyscraper and the brick townhouse had a curious effect, and from a distance the cozy home looked like a dollhouse.
Discuss

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jungle telegraph

An informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. Used most commonly in the phrase "hear (something) on the jungle telegraph." (Analogous to "hear (something) through the grapevine.") Primarily heard in UK. Watch the video

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The Great Book of Saint Cyprian

Purported to have been taken from a manuscript written by early Christian martyr Saint Cyprian of Antioch, The Great Book of Saint Cyprian is an occult work that first appeared in 1849 and has since spawned several editions with varying titles. Written in Portuguese and Spanish, the book contains a mixture of Christian prayers and pagan spells, and many consider it a sin to possess or even touch it. Some even believe that reading the book from back to front will do what? Discuss


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Miguel de Cervantes

It ill becomes you to assail one who cannot defend himself. Discuss


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Crop Over

This harvest festival in Barbados was originally celebrated in the 1800s by slaves at the end of the sugar-cane harvest. Today, Crop Over is a civic celebration which takes place during the last three weeks of July and usually ends on the first Monday in August. There are historical displays, craft shows, fairs, open-air concerts, calypso music and dancing, and "stick licking"—a self-defense sport similar to fencing. The first Monday of August is the finale, known as the Kadooment, which includes the judging of costumed bands at the National Stadium and a grand calypso procession. Discuss


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Malcolm Lowry (1909)

Lowry was an English writer known for his articulation of the spiritual desolation of the modern individual. His reputation rests on the semi-autobiographical 1947 novel Under the Volcano. Set in Mexico—from which Lowry was once deported—it recounts the last day of a dispirited, alcoholic, former British consul. Though critically praised, it received popular recognition only after Lowry's death—probably from the effects of alcoholism—at 47. What rumors surround his cause of death? Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 28, 2017

Speedway riders Joni Keskinen (Team Jokerit, Kauhajoki), Marko Suojanen (Team Paholaiset, Pori) and Jiri Nieminen (Team Jokerit) riding in a Speedway Extraliiga competition at the Yyteri speedway, Finland.. Learn more.

Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko (1853)

Korolenko was a Ukrainian-Russian writer. Arrested for revolutionary activities in 1879, he was sent to various places of exile where he wrote many of his lyrical short stories, notable for their descriptions of desolate nature and the lives of the poor. After 1895, he devoted himself to liberal journalism. Greatly honored in Russia, he reservedly welcomed the 1917 revolution but later opposed the Bolsheviks. His most famous story, "Makar's Dream," describes a dying peasant's dream—of what? Discuss


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Days of '76

This celebration held each year in Deadwood, South Dakota, is an attempt to revive the spirit of the gold rush days. The festivities begin with a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo. Then there is a three-mile-long historical parade that includes floats portraying the various stages of, and characters in, Deadwood's history—from the earliest settlers to the coming of industry and tourism. A kids' carnival is in town during the festival, and street dances featuring country music take place Thursday through Saturday night. Discuss


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Bugs Bunny Makes His Debut (1940)

Though an unnamed bunny appeared in Merrie Melodies cartoons in the 1930s, the true Bugs Bunny was born with the 1940 release of "A Wild Hare," in which a clever, mischievous Bugs plays pranks on his hapless nemesis, a hunter named Elmer Fudd. Bugs went on to become one of the most well-known and beloved cartoon characters of all time, perhaps second only to Mickey Mouse. "A Wild Hare" was nominated for an Oscar the same year that another cartoon introduced what pair of cartoon rivals? Discuss


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admixture

Definition: (noun) An additional ingredient that is added by mixing with the base.
Synonyms: intermixture.
Usage: The flowers flourished in the new growing medium, a nutrient-rich soil comprised of equal parts sand and loam with an admixture of peat moss and cow manure.
Discuss

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jump in (one's) skin

To start or recoil, as from shock, surprise, or fear. Watch the video

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Headhunting

Headhunting, the act of removing, displaying, and, in some cases, preserving human heads, has been practiced worldwide and may date to Paleolithic times. Though the practice was sometimes linked to certain forms of cannibalism and human sacrifice, its primary function was often ceremonial and was part of the process of reinforcing hierarchical relationships between communities and individuals. Which troops were said to regularly collect the skulls of enemy soldiers during World War II? Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 27, 2017

Nasser Al-Attiyah driving his Ford Fiesta S2000 at Rannakylä shakedown in Muurame of the Neste Oil Rally Finland 2010.. Learn more.

disjunct

Definition: (adjective) Marked by separation of or from usually contiguous elements.
Synonyms: isolated.
Usage: The islands were like little isolated worlds, as abruptly disjunct and unexpected as a palm-shaded well in the Sahara.
Discuss

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US President Truman Signs Executive Order Desegregating Military (1948)

Expanding on 1941's Executive Order 8802, which prohibited discrimination in the defense industry, Order 9981 required that all persons in the armed forces be treated equally without regard to race or other factors. It also called for the establishment of an advisory committee to facilitate the implementation of this policy. The order eliminated segregation in the armed forces within years, though racism was another matter entirely. What historically black boot camp was eliminated by Order 9981? Discuss


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Teej

Teej is a way to welcome the monsoon, the season when the wind from the Indian Ocean brings heavy rainfall. This is also a celebration for women and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva and patron goddess of women. On Teej, specially decorated swings are hung from trees in every village, and women swing on them and sing songs in praise of Parvati. Married women go to their parents' home and receive gifts of clothes and jewelry. There are also local fairs and processions carrying the image of the goddess. On this day, she is supposed to have been reunited with Shiva. Discuss


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Aldous Huxley (1894)

Huxley was a British writer known for his works of witty and pessimistic satire, like Antic Hay (1923), which established his reputation as a novelist. In his acclaimed Brave New World, he envisions a nightmarish, scientifically controlled future society that underscores the dehumanizing aspects of technological progress. His later works reveal an interest in philosophy and mysticism. Though he spent much of his life in the US, he was repeatedly denied citizenship for what reason? Discuss


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jump at the chance (to do something)

To accept or seize with alacrity an opportunity (to do something). Watch the video

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The Principality of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand is a purported micronation located on HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II sea fort located in the North Sea six miles (10 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England. Since 1967, the installation has been occupied by the associates and family of Paddy Roy Bates, a former British Army Major and pirate radio broadcaster who claims it is a sovereign and independent state. What court rulings have involved Sealand and its status as a sovereign nation? Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 26, 2017

Rebar mesh of steel wires are used to reinforce concrete when constructing buildings and structures.. Learn more.

Jogo do Pau

Literally translated as "stick game," Jogo do Pau is a Portuguese martial art that is perhaps more accurately described as "stick fencing." First used for self-defense and the settlement of disputes, the art evolved into a sporting competition during the 19th century. Urban migration and greater access to firearms later led to the art's decline, but it was revived in the 1970s. Still, the origins of the art are not known. What are some of the theories about how and why it was developed? Discuss


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Bob Dylan Plugs In (1965)

At the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, erstwhile acoustic folk musician Bob Dylan performed with an electric guitar for the first time, marking a major shift in his career. The move did not go over well. Expecting an acoustic set like his two previous ones at Newport, the audience was caught off guard by Dylan's apparent betrayal of the folk genre, and some fans booed him loudly. His first appearance at the festival, in 1963, constituted his premiere national performance. Who invited him to play? Discuss


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a juggling act

A difficult and/or precarious situation in which several things are being attempted or must be maintained at the same time. Watch the video

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char

Definition: (verb) Burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color.
Synonyms: blacken, sear, scorch.
Usage: The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece, and my mother had to hire a painter to cover up the discoloration.
Discuss

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Thomas Eakins (1844)

Perhaps the greatest American artist of the 19th century, Eakins lived, worked, and taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for most of his life. There, he painted The Gross Clinic in 1875. Depicting a surgical operation, it was initially criticized for being too realistic, but it is now seen as his masterpiece. Eakins was an influential art teacher, but his decision to use nude models of both sexes in mixed-gender classes caused an uproar. What incident led to his resignation in 1886? Discuss


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Grotto Day

In England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, oysters were not considered the rare delicacy they are today, and the large number of oysters eaten at that time meant there were lots of shells around. On St. James's Day, which was observed on August 5 before the Gregorian, or New Style, Calendar came into use and on July 25 thereafter, children used the shells to construct small decorative grottoes. Sometimes the children begged for pennies as a reward for their efforts. Most of this grotto-building took place in London, and the custom continued up to the 1950s. Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 25, 2017

Vault ceiling of the entrance to the Ganjali Bathhouse, built in 1631 and part of a building complex, located in the old center of city of Kerman, Iran. The frescos are painted with ornaments of the Safavid era.. Learn more.

anodyne

Definition: (adjective) Capable of soothing or eliminating pain.
Synonyms: analgesic, analgetic.
Usage: She was in intense pain following the surgery and wondered whether the anodyne properties of her medication would be sufficient.
Discuss

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First Ascent of the Eiger's North Face (1938)

Switzerland's Eiger mountain was first summited in 1858, but the sheer north face of the 13,025-foot (3,970-m) Alpine peak was not successfully climbed until 1938, when two independent pairs of climbers met on the face, joined forces, and reached the summit as a team. It has been climbed many times since, sadly with many fatalities, which, due to the cliff's high visibility, occur in full view of nearby villages. Since 1935, how many people have died climbing the Eiger's so-called Murder Wall? Discuss


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Amelia Mary Earhart (1897)

After attending an air show in 1920, Earhart, who had previously worked as a military nurse and a social worker, decided she wanted to become a pilot. She bought her first plane the following year. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger, and four years later, she became the first female pilot to make the trip solo. In 1937, her plane mysteriously vanished over the Pacific as she and a copilot attempted to circumnavigate the globe. What happened to them? Discuss


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jug-eared

Having ears that stick out markedly from the side of the head, thus resembling the handles of a jug. Watch the video

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Hurricane Supplication Day

Observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John—Hurricane Supplication Day marks the beginning of the hurricane season. Special church services are held to pray for safety from the storms that ravage these and other Caribbean islands. The custom probably dates back to the "rogation" ceremonies (from the word rogare, meaning "to beg or supplicate"), which began in fifth-century England. Rogations usually followed a frightening series of storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. Discuss


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The Temple Institute

Known in Hebrew as Machon HaMikdash, the Temple Institute is an organization in Israel focusing on the controversial endeavor of re-establishing the Third Temple—a place of worship desired by Jews since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Although there is disagreement within Orthodox Judaism about whether the rebuilding should occur by human or divine hands, the Temple Institute's long-term goal is to establish the temple on what controversial site? Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 24, 2017

Oxyopes javanus is a spider in the family Oxyopidae, commonly known as Lynx spiders.. Learn more.

W. Somerset Maugham

When you are young you take the kindness people show you as your right. Discuss


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scathing

Definition: (adjective) Bitterly denunciatory; harshly critical.
Synonyms: vituperative.
Usage: This scathing remark caused the Prince to hide his face for shame, and Steve to erect his head in the proud consciousness that this shot was not meant for him.
Discuss

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Egyptian Revolution of 1952 Begins (1952)

The Egyptian Revolution was a coup d'état led by a group of army officers that overthrew Egypt's King Farouk I. Organized by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the "Free Officers Movement" decried the Egyptian monarchy as corrupt, pro-British, and ineffective and was incensed by Egypt's defeat in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Days after the coup began, Farouk abdicated and General Muhammad Naguib took over as leader of Egypt. The monarchy was later abolished, and a republic was declared. What became of the king? Discuss


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Osorezan Taisai

Mt. Osore, located on the Shimokita Peninsula in the north of Honshu, Japan, is a spiritual center for many Japanese. It is known as a place where departed souls congregate. During the Osorezan Taisai Festival, or Osorezanrei Grand Festival, people flock to the mountain at Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, where psychics endeavor to summon the spirits of the dead by chanting. The priests who cross the weathered slopes of the mountain in procession add to the festival's grim and ghostly atmosphere. Discuss


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jolly (someone) up

To make (someone) happier or more cheerful; to cheer (someone) up. Watch the video

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Jade Burial Suits

Considered a mere myth by archaeologists for years, the use of jade burial suits among wealthy Han Dynasty nobles was proved in 1968 with the discovery of two complete suits in tombs in China's northern province of Hebei. Belonging to Chinese prince Liu Sheng and his wife Dou Wan, the ceremonial burial suits were constructed using 2,498 plates of solid jade and 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) of gold wire. Experts now believe the practice was fairly common. What other wire materials were used? Discuss


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Emil Jannings (1884)

Jannings was an acclaimed silent film actor who, in 1929, won an Academy Award for best actor—becoming the first person presented with an Oscar. He earned the award for his performances in two films, one of which, The Way of All Flesh, is now considered a "lost film" since no copies of it are known to exist. The advent of sound in film effectively ended his Hollywood career, as he had a thick German accent. What scandalous association doomed any chance he later had of making a comeback? Discuss


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Picture of the day for July 23, 2017

Summer Evening at Skagen beach (1899) by the Danish painter P.S. Krøyer, is a double portrait of the artist and his wife Marie. In the 1890s, P.S. Krøyer painted a number of evocative scenes of people walking along the shore. The painting was probably commissioned by Heinrich Hirschsprung and included in what later would come to be known as the Hirschsprung Collection.. Learn more.

Pablo Escobar Escapes from His Luxury Prison (1992)

By 1989, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was one of the world's richest men. At the height of his success, his Medellín cartel controlled 80% of the global cocaine market. Even after he was incarcerated, he continued to conduct business from the resort-like Colombian prison that had been built to his specifications. In 1992, in an effort to avoid extradition to the US, Escobar escaped. He was killed by police 16 months later. His intimidation tactic of plata o plomo translates to what? Discuss


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pathos

Definition: (noun) A quality, as of an experience or a work of art, that arouses feelings of pity, sympathy, tenderness, or sorrow.
Synonyms: poignancy.
Usage: The documentary film captured the pathos of the refugee's situation, and there was not a dry eye in the theater when the movie ended.
Discuss

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Gambia Revolution Day

The Gambia, a former British colony in West Africa, celebrates the anniversary of a coup in 1994 that ousted the country's president, Sir Dawda Jawara, and ushered in a military government. Following the bloodless coup, the government made the transition to civilian leadership and the people elected Yahya Jammeh president. The commemoration is essentially a vehicle to show the Gambian people's approval of their president. Past celebrations have included the unveiling of new development initiatives as well as cultural festivities. Discuss


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jolly (someone) along

To encourage someone (to do something), especially in a positive, cheerful manner. Watch the video

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The Pearl of Lao Tzu

Linked to multiple legends, the Pearl of Lao Tzu is the largest known pearl in the world, measuring 9.45 inches (24 centimeters) in diameter and weighing 14.1 pounds (6.4 kilograms). Reportedly extracted from a giant clam off the coast of the Philippines in 1934, the pearl has been labeled "The Pearl of Allah" by some who believe it resembles the face of Muhammad and has also been connected to a legend involving the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. What is the pearl's estimated value? Discuss


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