Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, November 17, 2022)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
sybarite
| |||||||
| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
|---|---|
The Present Indicative vs. the Future IndicativeThe present indicative describes things that are happening, are about to happen, or are believed to be happening. What does the future indicative describe? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Ilan RamonRamon was Israel's first astronaut. As a pilot in the Israeli Air Force, he fought in the Yom Kippur War and took part in the bombing of Iraq's Osiraq nuclear reactor. He went on to serve as payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia and was killed when the craft disintegrated during re-entry. Despite being a secular Jew, Ramon reportedly observed Jewish law while in space, feeling he represented "all Jews and all Israelis." Which of his belongings survived the shuttle crash? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
 First Attempted Assassination of Umberto I of Italy (1878)The son of Victor Emmanuel II, Umberto I was king of Italy from 1878 to 1900. Increasingly authoritarian, he favored imperialistic and pro-German policies and disregarded the recommendations of parliamentary leaders. His orientation helped lead to the conclusion of the Triple Alliance. Facing increasing social unrest, he supported the imposition of martial law and created a period of turmoil that culminated in three attempts on his life. He survived the first two. Who was the third assassin? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 Rock Hudson (1925)Hudson was an American actor who worked at odd jobs before making his film debut in 1948. His wholesome good looks made him a popular star in Douglas Sirk melodramas, and his comedic talents were displayed in a series of romantic comedies costarring Doris Day. He appeared in over 70 films and TV shows during the course of his career. His death from AIDS in 1985 greatly increased awareness of the disease. What notable film roles did Hudson reportedly turn down to film A Farewell to Arms? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Workers of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your chains.Karl Marx & Frederick Engels (1818-1883) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
|---|---|
lay down and die— To quit; to give up hope or ambition. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Queen Elizabeth's Day (2024)This is the day on which Queen Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558 upon the death of her sister, Queen Mary I. The anniversary of her coronation was celebrated for more than 300 years after her reign ended, primarily as a holiday for those working in government offices. After the Gunpowder Plot was exposed in 1605, two years following Elizabeth's death, the day was marked by anti-papal demonstrations, which included burning the pope in effigy. Queen Elizabeth's Day eventually merged with the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
|---|---|
Today's topic: temporarybooth - First a temporary dwelling made of branches, material, etc. More... learning cottage - A residential trailer used as a temporary or portable classroom. More... lodge - First was a temporary dwelling, as a hut or tent. More... jerry-built - Is either from English dialect jerry, "bad, defective," a pejorative use of the male nickname Jerry, or from nautical slang jury, "temporary," which came to be used of all sorts of makeshift and inferior objects. More... | |