Daily Content Archive

Word of the Day
verisimilitude Definition: (noun) The quality of appearing to be true or real. Synonyms: vraisemblance Usage: While recounting the preposterous tale, he threw in a few convincing details to add verisimilitude to the narrative.

Article of the Day

Ramesses II Ramesses II was an Egyptian pharaoh, the third king of the 19th dynasty. His 67-year reign was marked by prosperity, numerous clashes with the Hittites, and increased slavery. Ramesses had vast texts written about his personal valor and had numerous temples and monuments, particularly enormous statues of himself, erected throughout Egypt. He is also widely believed to have been the pharaoh who reigned during the Jewish exodus from Egypt that is described in the Bible. What is the Ramesseum? More...

This Day in History

James Earl Ray Escapes from Prison Again (1977) In 1967, Ray, who was serving time for armed robbery, escaped from prison by hiding in a bread truck. He remained at large until 1968, when he was captured in London following an international manhunt sparked by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray pled guilty to the murder and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. In 1977, he once again escaped, but this time he was recaptured within days. In 1969, Ray recanted his confession and claimed that who was responsible for King's death? More...

Today's Birthday

Tara Lipinski (1982) Lipinski is an American figure skater who, at the age of 14, won both the US and World Championships, becoming the youngest person ever to win either title. In 1998, she also became the youngest individual gold medalist in Winter Olympic history. Shortly thereafter, she launched her professional skating career, a move that was sharply criticized by some. The next year, she became the youngest person to win the World Professional Figure Skating Championships. Why did she stop skating in 2002? More...

Quotation of the Day
In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers. Sun Tzu (544 BC-496 BC)

Idiom of the Day
mooch about (somewhere) — To waste time or loiter (somewhere); to spend time (somewhere) idly or listlessly. Primarily heard in UK. More...

Today's Holiday

Portugal National Day (2024) Also known as Camões Memorial Day and Portugal Day, this national holiday observes the death anniversary of Luís Vas de Camões (1524-1580), Portugal's national poet. His epic work, The Lusiads (1572), was based on the voyage to India of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama. This national holiday is observed with patriotic speeches, games, and costumed citizens in the capital city of Lisbon. More...