Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, July 22, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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The Present ParticipleThe present participle is the "-ing" form of a verb. This verb form is always the same, whether the verb is regular or irregular. What is the present participle of the irregular verb "run"? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Pearl of Lao TzuLinked to multiple legends, the Pearl of Lao Tzu is the largest known pearl in the world, measuring 9.45 inches (24 centimeters) in diameter and weighing 14.1 pounds (6.4 kilograms). Reportedly extracted from a giant clam off the coast of the Philippines in 1934, the pearl has been labeled "The Pearl of Allah" by some who believe it resembles the face of Muhammad and has also been connected to a legend involving the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. What is the pearl's estimated value? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Wiley Post Becomes First Pilot to Circumnavigate the Globe Solo (1933)In 1931, American aviator Wiley Post flew around the world with navigator Harold Gatty in 8 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes, breaking the previous record of 21 days. They published an account of their trip in Around the World in Eight Days. Two years later, Post became the first person to fly around the world alone, a feat he completed in just 7 days and 19 hours. Post died in 1935 when his plane crashed in Alaska with what famous entertainer on board? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Selman Waksman (1888)Waksman was a Russian-American biochemist and microbiologist whose study of organic substances and their decomposition led to the discovery of the antibiotic streptomycin. His four decades of research at Rutgers University in New Jersey led to the discovery of more than a dozen "antibiotics," a term for antibacterial microbial metabolites he coined in 1941. In 1952, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of streptomycin and its value in treating what disease? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 He who throws away a friend is as bad as he who throws away his life.Sophocles (496 BC-406 BC) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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get the green light— To receive permission to proceed with some action or task. Likened to the green light of a traffic signal. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Gambia Revolution Day (2023)The Gambia, a former British colony in West Africa, celebrates the anniversary of a coup in 1994 that ousted the country's president, Sir Dawda Jawara, and ushered in a military government. Following the bloodless coup, the government made the transition to civilian leadership and the people elected Yahya Jammeh president. The commemoration is essentially a vehicle to show the Gambian people's approval of their president. Past celebrations have included the unveiling of new development initiatives as well as cultural festivities. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: wickedfacinorous - Extremely wicked. More... flagitious - Criminally wicked. More... scelestious, scelestic - Other terms for wicked are scelestious and scelestic. More... wicked - Probably based on Old English wicca, "witch." More... | |