Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, January 10, 2024)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Making Imperative SentencesWe usually use the imperative mood to form imperative sentences when we want to issue direct orders, commands, or general instructions. When we make an imperative sentence, we use the infinitive form of the verb (without "to"). What do we do to the subject of the verb? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Rabbit-Proof FenceWhen Thomas Austin released 24 rabbits onto his Australian farm in 1859, he was unaware of the damage they would cause to the Australian ecosystem. Within 35 years, the rabbits, which had no natural predators in Australia, spread throughout the mainland and destroyed millions of acres of farmland. In 1901, construction began on a fence that would traverse Western Australia from north to south and was intended to contain the rabbits east of the barrier. What animal was used to inspect the fence? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 London Underground Begins Operation (1863)The world's first subway line opened in London in 1863. It was 3.75 mi (6 km) long and soon carried tens of thousands of passengers each day—transporting 9.5 million in its first year. Initially steam-powered, the system first electrified some of its lines in 1890. By 1896, it was fully electrified. Today, the London Underground system is one of the largest in the world, with 256 miles (410 km) of track and 270 stations. How many passengers did it carry on January 10, 1863? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 George Edward Foreman (1949)A high school dropout, Foreman learned to box in the Job Corps. He won the Olympic heavyweight gold medal in 1968 and beat Joe Frazier for the world heavyweight crown in 1973. He won all 40 of his professional bouts—many by knockout—before losing to Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle." He retired to be a minister in 1977 but launched a comeback in 1987 and became the world's oldest heavyweight champ in 1994. After naming his first four sons "George," what did Foreman name his fifth son? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity that never dreads contact and communion with others, however humble.Washington Irving (1783-1859) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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loose talk— Uninhibited, indiscreet talk or conversation, especially as might unintentionally lead to revealing private or sensitive information to others. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Benin National Vodoun Day (2025)Vodoun is an ancient, African, pantheistic religion. When it was brought to the Americas by African slaves, it was blended with elements of Christianity into what is known as "Voodoo." The present African country of Benin, situated on the former kingdom of Dahomey, is known as a center of Vodoun culture. The day is celebrated throughout Benin with processions, Vodoun rituals, dances, and even an international film festival. The celebration's central activity, however, is the re-enactment of the journey from the slave auction block in the center of town to the ships in the harbor. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: tokenjetton - A counter or token used as a gambling chip or to operate slot machines. More... token - Etymologically, something that "shows" you something, from a base meaning "show, sign." More... indicium - An indication, sign, or token—specifically, the stamp on mail indicating paid postage. More... signal, sign - Signal is from Latin signalis, "of a sign," from signum, "mark, token"—from which sign is derived. More... | |