Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, May 21, 2023)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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graver
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| Article of the Day | |
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 JacarandaThe Jacaranda is a tropical American tree or shrub that has pinnately compound, opposite leaves and panicles of pale purple flowers with funnel-shaped corollas. Several species are widely grown as ornamental plants throughout the subtropical regions of the world and are valued for their intense flower displays. What city in South Africa is popularly known as the Jacaranda City? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 World's Tallest Roller Coaster Opens in New Jersey (2005)Reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m) and with a top speed of 128 mph (206 km/h), the Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure theme park in Jackson, New Jersey, became the tallest and the fastest roller coaster in the world when it opened in 2005. It took both titles from Cedar Point park's Top Thrill Dragster, which was designed by the same company and is nearly identical. Kingda Ka lost its title as the world's fastest roller coaster in 2010 to what attraction? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Henri Rousseau (1844)Rousseau was an entirely self-taught French painter. He held a minor post as a tax collector in Paris for more than 20 years before retiring to paint at the age of 49. His work remained consistently naive and imaginative and was often ridiculed. It was only after his death that Rousseau gained recognition as an artistic genius. Though he never left France or saw a jungle, he is best known for his paintings of lush, tropical scenes and wild animals. What was his inspiration for the exotic scenes? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 All is disgust when a man leaves his own nature and does what is unfit.Sophocles (496 BC-406 BC) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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media darling— A very famous and popular person who receives exceptionally positive media coverage or attention. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Chile Battle of Iquique Day (Día de las Glorias Navales) (2024)This national holiday in Chile is often called Día de las Glorias Navales ("The Day of the Glorious Navy"). From 1879 to 1881, the Chilean navy fought an alliance of Peru and Bolivia in the War of the Pacific. The Chilean victory in the Battle of Iquique on May 21, 1879, was a turning point in a war that Chile eventually won decisively. The holiday is celebrated throughout Chile with festivals, military parades, and speeches. Sporting events, including boat and bicycle races, are held in honor of the holiday. Many people dress in traditional costumes as a symbol of national pride. More... | |