Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, November 17, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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The Present Indicative vs. the Future IndicativeThe present indicative describes things that are happening, are about to happen, or are believed to be happening. What does the future indicative describe? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The History of the KiltMade of pleated wool and wrapped around the wearer's waist, the kilt is the knee-length, skirt-like garment worn by men as part of Scotland's traditional national garb, or Highland dress. Developed in the 17th century, the kilt is worn for ordinary purposes as well as special occasions. Highland dress is the uniform of Scottish regiments in the British army, and kilts were worn into battle as recently as World War II. What nickname did German troops give kilt-clad soldiers in World War I? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Luxor Massacre (1997)Located on the west bank of the Nile across from the city of Luxor, Deir al-Bahri is one of Egypt's most popular attractions. It encompasses the remains of three ancient temples, among them the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which in 1997 became the site of a terrible massacre. On that day, six terrorists armed with guns and knives descended on the temple and systematically killed more than 60 people, most of them foreign tourists. What did the terrorists hope to achieve with the attack? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Isamu Noguchi (1904)Noguchi was a prominent American sculptor. After briefly studying medicine, he won two Guggenheim fellowships that allowed him to study in Paris under renowned modern artist Constantin Brancusi. In his work in stone, wood, and metal, Noguchi integrated European modernism with Japanese traditionalism, harmonizing rough and smooth, geometric and organic. Among his diverse artistic creations are playgrounds, sculpture gardens, ballet sets, and furniture. With which inventor did he collaborate? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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lay down and die— To quit; to give up hope or ambition. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Queen Elizabeth's Day (2024)This is the day on which Queen Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558 upon the death of her sister, Queen Mary I. The anniversary of her coronation was celebrated for more than 300 years after her reign ended, primarily as a holiday for those working in government offices. After the Gunpowder Plot was exposed in 1605, two years following Elizabeth's death, the day was marked by anti-papal demonstrations, which included burning the pope in effigy. Queen Elizabeth's Day eventually merged with the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: scrapmammock - A scrap, shred, or piece that is torn or broken off. More... riffraff - Rif/riff, "spoil, strip," and raf, "carry off," combined as rif et raf in French, then went to English as riff and raff, "everything, every scrap," and then riffraff. More... scrip - Can be a scrap of paper with writing on it. More... tatter - A scrap of cloth, from Old Norse totrar, "rags"; often used as tatters. More... | |