Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, August 05, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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passementerie
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Catacombs of ParisThe Catacombs of Paris are a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located in Roman-era limestone quarries that were converted into a mass tomb at the end of the 18th century to curb the spread of disease due to improper burials and mass graves. Today, only a small portion of the catacombs, which span more than 186 miles, is open to the public, but many enter them illegally via secret entrances found throughout Paris. Why were the catacombs closed to the public in 2009? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)The Battle of Dogger Bank was a naval battle that took place in the North Sea during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, which broke out over Dutch trade with Britain's enemies during the American Revolution. The battle is therefore considered part of the American War of Independence. The clash began after the British spotted and began to chase a Dutch merchant fleet being escorted by a convoy of warships. Both sides suffered significant casualties during the three-hour skirmish. Who emerged the victor? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Guy de Maupassant (1850)Maupassant was a 19th-century French writer considered one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protégé of Gustave Flaubert, Maupassant wrote with a simplicity, clarity, and objective calm that echoed the style of his mentor. He first gained attention with "Boule de Suif," or "Ball of Fat," and eventually published about 300 short stories, many of which are said to be unsurpassed in their genre. Why did Maupassant often dine at the restaurant at the base of the Eiffel Tower? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older—the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.Jane Austen (1775-1817) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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hard knocks— The real and practical experiences of life, especially those involving hardship or adversity. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Croatia Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving DayOn this date in 1995, the Croatian Army defeated Serbian forces at the city of Knin in a decisive battle called Operation Storm. The victory enabled Croatia to regain control of the Serbian-declared breakaway Republic of Serbian Krajina. The main celebration of this national holiday takes place in Knin, where thousands gather to watch a parade and to listen to speeches by the country's leaders. Church bells toll, and wreaths are laid in honor of those who died in the war. The national flag is hoisted atop of the fortress overlooking southern Knin as part of the celebration. More... | |
| In the News | |
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Solving a Mystery of Mammoth ProportionsUntil recently, St. Paul Island was home to a mystery of mammoth proportions. Today the largest animals living on this 42-square mile speck of earth are a few reindeer, but once, St. Paul was woolly mammoth territory. For more than 4,000 years after the mainland ... More... | |