Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, December 1, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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numismatist
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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PrepositionsPrepositions are used to express the relationship of a noun or pronoun (or another grammatical element functioning as a noun) to the rest of the sentence. How do prepositions differ from infinitives? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The James OssuaryDating to the 1st century CE, the James Ossuary is a limestone box containing human bones. There is little doubt the ossuary is authentic, but there has been great controversy over its Aramaic inscription: "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." Its owner, Israeli antiquities dealer Oded Golan, was prosecuted by Israeli authorities who charge that the inscription, or at least the last part of it, is a forgery—a stance also held by many, but not all, scholars. Where was the ossuary discovered? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Our Lady of the Angels School Fire (1958)Shortly before classes were dismissed on December 1, 1958, a fire broke out at the foot of a stairway in the Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, Illinois. A total of 92 students and 3 nuns died and another 100 were seriously injured when smoke, heat, and fire cut off their normal means of escape. Many perished jumping from second-floor windows. The tragedy dominated headlines and led to nationwide changes to school fire safety regulations. How is the fire thought to have started? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Mary Virginia Martin (1913)Martin was an American musical comedy star. She co-owned a dance school in her native Texas before moving in 1938 to New York City, where she earned a small part in the musical Leave It To Me, winning widespread popularity with her buoyant singing voice and high-spirited temperament. She went on to star in several enormously successful musicals, including South Pacific, Peter Pan, and The Sound of Music, as well as a number of films. Who is Martin's famous son? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The Past is the region of sobs, the Future is the realm of song. In the one crouches Memory, clad in sackcloth and ashes, mumbling penitential prayer; in the sunshine of the other Hope flies with a free wing, beckoning to temples of success and bowers of ease.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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(one's) heart's desire— Something one very much wants or needs. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Portugal Restoration of Independence Day (2023)This public holiday commemorates the restoration of Portugal's independence from Spain on December 1, 1640. Philip II (1527-1598) of Spain assumed control of Portugal in 1580 upon the death of Henry, prince of Portugal, and the "Spanish captivity" lasted for 60 years. Revolution began in Lisbon, and, in 1640, the Portuguese dethroned Philip IV (1605-1665; grandson of Philip II) and reclaimed independence for Portugal. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: pancasserole - Came from casse, "pan" or "ladle," which probably comes from Greek kuathos, "serving cup"; casserole is a diminutive of casse, "spoonlike container" (cassette is also a diminutive of casse). More... paella - The rice dish is Spanish for "frying pan," from Latin patella, "little pan." More... pan, brain pan - The upper part of the skull has been called the pan or brain pan. More... | |