Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, January 27, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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laggard
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Compact DiscsCompact discs (CDs) are optical discs that store digital data. The data is digitally encoded on the disc as a series of microscopic indentations—called "pits"—on an otherwise polished surface. The disc is read by a laser beam, which is either absorbed in the pits or reflected off the non-indented areas, called "lands." After the music CD was introduced in 1982, it quickly surpassed records and cassette tapes as the music storage medium of choice. What album was the first to be released on CD? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 National Geographic Society Founded (1888)The National Geographic Society is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. It was founded in 1888 by a small group of eminent explorers and scientists and, by the turn of the 21st century, boasted approximately nine million members. It has supported more than 7,000 major scientific projects and expeditions, including those of the Leakey family, Jacques Cousteau, and Jane Goodall. What popular traveling exhibits has it sponsored? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Donna Reed (1921)Reed was an American film and television actress. In 1946, she starred in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, playing Mary Bailey—the wife of James Stewart's character, George Bailey. She went on to win the 1953 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in From Here to Eternity and later received a Golden Globe for Best Female TV Star for her performance as Donna Stone in The Donna Reed Show. Why did Reed once sue the producers of the TV show Dallas? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Have you ever noticed that there are people who do things which are most indelicate, and yet at the same time—beautiful?E. M. Forster (1879-1970) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a hot hand— A continuous period of great success, luck, or fortune; a winning streak. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Mauni Amavasya (2017)Complete silence is observed on the day known to Hindus as Mauni Amavasya. Because bathing during Magha, one of the most sacred Hindu months, is considered to be a purifying act, many Hindus camp out along the banks of the Ganges River throughout the month and bathe daily in the sacred river. But the bathing and fasting end with the observance of Mauni Amavasya, a day for worshipping Lord Vishnu and circumambulating the peepal (a type of ficus) tree, which is regarded as holy. For many Hindus, the celebration takes place at Prayag, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers flow together. More... | |
| In the News | |
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 Officials May Ban Chocolate Bait after Bear OverdoseNew Hampshire wildlife officials are considering proposing a ban on chocolate as bear bait after four black bears were found dead last September near a trapping site where nearly 100 pounds (45 kg) of chocolate and doughnuts were left as bait. An autopsy revealed that the bears overdosed on theobromine, a naturally occurring toxic ingredient found in chocolate. Bears are especially drawn to sweets when building up their fat stores for hibernation. The proposal may call for an outright ban on chocolate as bait, or it may recommend a limit on its use. More... | |