Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, May 2, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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sententious
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Domain AdverbsWe use specific viewpoint adverbs to delimit, or specify, what part or aspect of something we are talking about. These adverbs are often called domain adverbs, and are almost limitless. "Officially" is an example of a domain adverb. What are some others? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Queen Catherine de' MediciA member of the powerful Medici family, Catherine married Henry II in 1533, and together they had 10 children. She became queen when Henry inherited the crown in 1547. Though he largely excluded her from state affairs, she was thrust into the political arena upon his death in 1559. As regent for her young sons, first Francis II and then Charles IX, she determined state policy to a considerable extent. For that reason, she is generally blamed for what massacre carried out under Charles IX's rule? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Dos de Mayo Uprising (1808)Shortly after Napoleon occupied Madrid, Spain, on March 23, 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against the French in the Dos de Mayo uprising, which was sparked by the attempt to move two of the Spanish king's children to France. The uprising culminated in a fierce battle that was fought in the Puerta del Sol, the city's central square. The French suppressed the rebellion and, in reprisal, shot hundreds of citizens the following day. What painter immortalized the events of that day? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Catherine II of Russia (1729)Catherine II was empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. The daughter of a German prince, she was chosen at 14 to be the wife of the future czar, Peter III. In 1762, conspirators led by her lover staged a coup and proclaimed her empress. Peter was murdered shortly thereafter. As czarina, she increased Russia's power by skillful diplomacy and by extending its frontiers into central Europe. She was a patron of the arts and corresponded with many of the prominent minds of her era, including whom? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 If you know what a man's doing, get in front of him; but if you want to guess what he's doing, keep behind him.Gilbert Chesterton (1874-1936) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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keep (one's) slate clean— To maintain an impeccable record; to refrain from committing any mistakes or wrongdoings. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Flores de Mayo (2024)Flores de Mayo ("May flowers") festivals take place throughout the Philippines during the month of May. Children create offerings of flowers and bring them to their churches in the afternoon. Parades make their way through towns and villages, with girls wearing traditional costumes followed by their relatives and friends singing Hail Marys. The festival ends on May 31 with fiestas everywhere. In big cities like Manila, Flores de Mayo is one of the largest festivals of the year, featuring May Queens and fancy dress balls. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: nimbleagile - Means having quick motion and being nimble, from Latin agere, "to do." More... flippant - Once meant "flexible, nimble, pliant." More... chopsticks - In Chinese, the word for chopsticks originally meant "quick sticks" or "nimble ones." More... wieldy - Means "easily controlled or handled," and once meant "agile, nimble." More... | |