Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, March 26, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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nyctalopia
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Forming ContractionsWhen two words are combined to form a contraction, we use an apostrophe as a substitute for the letter or letters that are removed as a result. Most commonly, it is the second word in the group that is shortened. What is this shortened word known as? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 TwelversShi'ism is the second largest denomination of Islam after Sunnism, and within Shi'ism, Twelvers, or Ithna 'Ashariyyah, form the largest school. Twelvers derive their name from their belief in a succession of 12 divinely ordained leaders—imams—beginning with Ali ibn Abu Talib, the fourth caliph and son-in-law of Muhammad. The last of these 12 imams was Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Hujjah, who disappeared in 873 is thought by believers to be alive, hidden by God. When is he expected to reappear? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Heaven's Gate Cult Members Found Dead (1997)Established in 1972, Heaven's Gate was a cult that advocated self-renunciation, to the point of castration, as preparation for the "transition" to a new life on a spaceship, which adherents believed was trailing behind the comet Hale-Bopp. As the comet made its closest approach to Earth, 39 members of the group committed suicide. Authorities found the dead lying neatly in their bunk beds, dressed identically and wearing armbands that read "Heaven's Gate Away Team." Who was their leader? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Robert Frost (1874)Perhaps the most popular and beloved of 20th-century American poets, Frost wrote of the character, people, and landscape of New England. Rooted in the New England landscape, yet deeply symbolic, his work is concerned with human tragedies and fears, the complexities of life, and the ultimate acceptance of one's burdens. Frost was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry four times—in 1924, 1931, 1937, and 1943. He recited a poem at the inauguration of which US president? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Here is true immorality: ignorance and stupidity; the devil is nothing but this.Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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in all honesty— In one's sincere opinion; without any disingenuousness. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Bangladesh Independence Day (2024)This public holiday celebrates the declaration of independence of the state of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971. When India gained independence from Britain in 1947, the region that is now Bangladesh became East Pakistan, and was governed together with West Pakistan as one country. By early 1971, differences between East and West Pakistan had led to war. When India entered the war in November, independence was assured. Bangladeshis observe this national holiday in the capital city of Dhaka with memorial ceremonies, a boat race on the Buriganga river, and other festivities. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: lighterdinner, supper - Dinner is the main meal of the day; supper is the last meal of the day and lighter than dinner. More... short crust - Lighter and crispier than regular pastry crust. More... spring roll - Smaller than egg rolls, they traditionally have a lighter, more delicate pastry wrap. More... etiolate - Become whiter or lighter, especially by not getting enough light. More... | |