Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, September 30, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Adverbs of Indefinite FrequencyThe frequency adverbs that are used most often are adverbs of indefinite frequency. As the name suggests, these are adverbs that give a sense of frequency but do not specify exactly how often something happens or is the case. "Usually" is an example of an adverb of indefinite frequency. What are some others? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Indian Mutiny of 1857In 1857, Indian troops, or sepoys, in the service of the British East India Company revolted after being issued new rifle cartridges thought to have been lubricated with a combination of cow and pig fat, rendering them religiously impure to both Hindus and Muslims. Though the mutiny began among the sepoys, it grew into a widespread uprising against British rule in India. Delhi was even seized by the rebels before they were ultimately defeated. What happened in the aftermath of the rebellion? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Mozart's The Magic Flute Premieres (1791)In the final year of his life, prolific composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart produced the opera Die Zauberflöte—The Magic Flute—featuring a libretto by the actor Emmanuel Schikaneder. The work is considered a singspiel—an opera in German that contains spoken dialogue and is usually comic in tone. Mozart brought this form of light musical entertainment to a height of lyrical and symbolic art. How much longer did Mozart live after The Magic Flute debuted? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Héctor Lavoe (1946)Lavoe was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. He moved to New York City at age 17 and found fame performing with acts like Orquesta New York and Willie Colón's band. Lavoe recorded many hits, including "Mi Gente," but with success came drug addiction and tragedy. After the deaths of his father, son, and mother-in-law and an HIV diagnosis, Lavoe jumped off a hotel balcony, likely in a suicide attempt. He survived and died of AIDS-related complications in 1993. Why were his remains later exhumed? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It is a good lesson—though it may often be a hard one—for a man who has dreamed of literary fame ... to step aside out of the narrow circle in which his claims are recognized, and to find how utterly devoid of all significance, beyond that circle, is all that he achieves, and all he aims at.Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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liquid courage— slang The decrease in timidity or inhibition that comes from imbibing alcoholic beverages. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Botswana Independence Day (2024)Botswana became independent from Great Britain on September 30, 1966. Since 1885, the region had been a British colony called the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The biggest Independence Day festivities are held in the capital city of Gaborone, and include the singing of the national anthem, "Fatshe La Rona" (Blessed Country). More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: opportunityEl Dorado - A place offering fabulous wealth or opportunity (after the legendary place in South America, "the gilded one"). More... ease - First meant "opportunity, ability," or "means to do something." More... hint - First meant "an occasion or opportunity." More... occasion - Once had the specific sense of "an opportunity for finding fault or giving offense." More... | |