Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, July 13, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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centromere
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Ark of the CovenantAccording to the biblical account, the Ark of the Covenant was an ornate, gold-plated wooden chest that was built at the command of God to house the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. The Ark was carried by the Hebrews in the wilderness and later placed in the Temple of Jerusalem. It is believed to have been captured when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and its subsequent fate is unknown. What are some theories about its current location? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 First FIFA World Cup Kicks Off (1930)Soccer, or association football, as it is known throughout much of the world, has been an Olympic sport since 1900. In 1930, FIFA—soccer's international governing body—decided to stage its own tournament, the World Cup. Reigning Olympic champion Uruguay was chosen as host and went on to win the inaugural event. Today the tournament is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world, but then it was a challenge just to get teams to participate. What else did not go as planned? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor (1608)When Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III ascended the throne, the Thirty Years' War had been raging for 20 years. After his accession, the war took a disastrous turn. Though he prohibited religious freedom in his own domains, he compromised with Europe's Protestant powers and agreed to the Peace of Westphalia. The treaty ended 30 years of religious strife in central Europe but greatly reduced the central power of the Holy Roman Empire. Despite the war, Ferdinand made time to pursue what pastime? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Night Watch (2018)La Retraite aux Flambeaux, or the Night Watch, is a half-holiday in France that is celebrated on the eve of Bastille Day. The lights in Paris are darkened in remembrance of the day in 1789 when the Bastille fell. Colorful processions of soldiers, patriotic bands, and people bearing torches and Chinese lanterns march through the streets, followed by crowds of spectators. The procession usually ends at the home of a prominent citizen, who offers the torch- and lantern-bearers something to drink. More... | |