Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, January 4, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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quadrilateral
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Puffer FishPuffer fish, members of the Tetraodontidae family, are named for their ability to inflate their bodies with air or water to as much as three times their normal size when disturbed. Found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, puffers are morphologically similar to the porcupinefish and have tough, usually prickly, skin. Their flesh contains tetrodotoxin, which can be fatal if ingested, yet puffers are prepared by specially trained chefs and eaten as a delicacy called fugu in what country? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Donald Campbell Dies in Water Speed Record Attempt (1967)Following in the footsteps of his father—record-breaking English racing enthusiast Malcolm Campbell—Donald Campbell set the world speed record on water at 276 mph (445 km/h) in 1964. In 1967, during an attempt to set a new record, Donald's jet-powered boat violently disintegrated over Coniston Water, killing him instantly. Though his teddy bear mascot was found floating among the debris, Donald's body was not recovered until nearly 35 years later. Did he at least succeed in breaking his record? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 James Bond (1900)An expert in Caribbean birds and a distinguished ornithologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Bond wrote the definitive Birds of the West Indies in 1936. The book came to the attention of avid bird-watcher Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica. He contacted Bond and asked if he could use the ornithologist's name for the hero of his first novel, Casino Royale. Bond agreed. In what film can the fictional Bond be seen reading the real-life Bond's book? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to which it clings.Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Myanmar Independence Day (2021)The southeast Asian country of Burma (renamed Myanmar in 1989 by its military government), was given independence in 1948, when it refused to rejoin the British Commonwealth following Japanese occupation in World War II. The former capital, Yangon (formerly Rangoon), is decorated for Independence Day festivities, and the day is marked by sports and fairs in most cities. Burmese people dress in their national costume, which consists of an aingyi (blouse or shirt) and a longyi (skirt); panthay khowse (noodles and chicken) is traditionally served on this day, as is nga sak kin (curried fish balls). More... | |