Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, September 27, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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elegy
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Compound-Complex SentencesCompound-complex sentences are made up of two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. In a compound-complex sentence, how is the complex independent clause joined to the other independent clause? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Siege TowerDating to antiquity, siege towers were large, portable structures that aided soldiers in scaling defensive walls and shielded them as they did so. The massive towers were filled with soldiers and then wheeled up to the walls of a besieged fortress, whereupon gangplanks would be lowered to allow the invading force access. Archers and catapults were often positioned on top of the towers so that they could fire upon enemies during an assault. What protected the wooden towers from flaming arrows? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Wreck of the "Old 97" (1903)The Fast Mail, a Southern Railway mail train nicknamed "Old 97," crashed near Danville, Virginia, in 1903. The derailment occurred when the train, which was being operated at a high speed in order to stay on schedule, approached a curve too quickly. It fell from the trestle to the ravine below, killing several people. The accident inspired a famous ballad that has since been recorded by Johnny Cash and Woody Guthrie among others. Why did the song become the subject of a copyright dispute? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sophia Alekseyevna (1657)Sophia Alekseyevna seized power in Russia after the death of her father, Czar Feodor III, and became regent during the minority of her disabled brother, Ivan V, and her half-brother, Peter I. She brutally eliminated her opponents and ruled dictatorially with her lover, Vasily V. Gallitzin. She aspired to be crowned czarina, but lacked support from the nobility and clergy. When it was rumored that she intended to kill Peter to become sole ruler, he overthrew the regency and confined her where? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The true artist is a man who believes absolutely in himself, because he is absolutely himself.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have it out (with someone)— To have an argument, verbal fight, or frank discussion (with someone), especially to settle something that has caused anger, frustration, or annoyance. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Sts. Cosmas and Damian Day (Brazil) (2023)Legend has Cosmas and Damian as twin brothers from Syria who were brought up in the Christian faith and who devoted their lives to medicine. As doctors they refused payment for their services, instead asking those who benefited from their healing to believe in Christ. In Brazil, the feast of Cosmas and Damian is celebrated on September 27 and it is traditional to give candy to children, since the saints are patrons of children. Yoruban mythology, which lives on through African Brazilians, tells of another set of holy twins, who are often associated with Cosmas and Damian. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: healingbalsam - First referred to an aromatic resinous substance with healing or soothing properties. More... healing, curing - Healing is a process in which an organism's health is restored; curing is a method that promotes healing. More... psychiatry - From Greek psykhe, "mind," and iatreia, "healing." More... salve - The main semantic element is "healing," but the etymological meaning is "oily substance." More... | |