Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, March 30, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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baccarat
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| Article of the Day | |
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 ProteusProteus is an early sea-god of Greek mythology, an old man whose responsibilities include tending to Poseidon's seals. Though he is said to have the gift of prophecy, Proteus goes to go to great lengths to avoid disclosing this knowledge and only does so if trapped. A shape-shifter, he evades capture by changing his appearance. For this reason, the adjective "protean"—meaning "versatile" or "capable of assuming many forms"—is derived from his name. Who captures Proteus in Homer's Odyssey? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Sicilian Vespers Rebellion (1282)By 1282, the French Angevin dynasty had controlled of the island of Sicily for decades. However, at the start of the traditional vespers service on Easter Monday, an uprising spontaneously broke out following a seemingly isolated altercation in which local residents sparred with French soldiers. The revolt spread like wildfire, and soon the Sicilians had massacred almost every French person on the island. What reportedly started the confrontation between the Sicilians and the soldiers? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Naomi Sims (1948)Often considered the first black supermodel, Sims was teased as an adolescent for her unusual height. While attending college, she attempted to earn money by securing modeling work but was frustrated by the racism of established agencies. Instead, she forged her own connections, achieving wide success and recognition in the 1960s and 70s before retiring to found a beauty-product empire. What film role did she turn down in 1972 due to the film's exploitative portrayal of African Americans? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The characteristic of coquettes is affectation governed by whim.Henry Fielding (1707-1754) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Ta'anit Bechorot (Fast of the Firstborn) (2018)The Fast of the Firstborn is the only fast in the Jewish calendar which is neither an atonement for sin nor a fast of petition. Observed only symbolically by firstborn male Jews on the day before Passover, its main purpose appears to be to remind Jews of the Angel of Death's slaying of the Egyptians' firstborn sons and the miraculous escape of their own sons. The obligation to fast can be avoided by participating in a siyyum—the study of a particular passage of the Talmud. More... | |