Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, September 17, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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wharfage
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Wish TreesIdentified by the faithful as possessing special spiritual value, wish trees are individual trees which have been distinguished—often by species, position, or appearance—as the objects of wishes. Visitors commonly offer up coins, liquor, and other gifts in order to gain fulfillment of their desires. Among the most famous wish tree visitors was Queen Victoria, whose 1877 visit to an oak in the Scottish Highlands brought it much fame. How are Christmas trees connected to the concept of wish trees? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 "Is Paul McCartney Dead?" (1969)If one is to believe the rumors, the real Paul McCartney died at the height of Beatlemania and was secretly replaced by a double. The precise origins of this urban legend are unknown, but it gained traction at around the time that the band was breaking up. This is attributed in part to an article published in an Iowa university student newspaper addressing the rumors and pointing to supposed clues in the band's music and album artwork that alluded to the rocker's death. What are some examples? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton (1904)Ashton is best known as the founding choreographer of England's Royal Ballet. He was drawn to dance at age 13 after attending a performance by the legendary Anna Pavlova in Peru, where he grew up. While studying dance with Léonide Massine and Marie Rambert, he began staging works. In the 1930s, he joined what would later become the Royal Ballet as its chief choreographer. Ashton is largely responsible for the elegantly reserved style of English classical dance. What are his most famous works? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 By a curious confusion, many modern critics have passed from the proposition that a masterpiece may be unpopular to the other proposition that unless it is unpopular it cannot be a masterpiece.Gilbert Chesterton (1874-1936) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Angola National Heroes Day (2018)National Heroes Day in Angola is celebrated on the birthday of the man considered to be the nation's founder, Antonio Agostinho Neto. National Heroes Day honors Neto, his ideals for his country, and his accomplishments, as well as those who lost their lives in the struggle for Angolan independence. In addition to ceremonies and speeches, special sports events are often held on this day, including competitions in basketball, cycling, football, chess, swimming, volleyball, and other athletics. More... | |