Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, November 20, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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redoubtable
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| Article of the Day | |
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 Twenty-Mule TeamsIn 1883, miners seeking to transport the mineral borax from mines in Death Valley to the nearest railroad spur, 165 miles (266 km) away in Mojave, California, came up with a novel solution: massive wagons hauled by teams of 18 mules and two horses. When fully loaded, the caravans weighed 36.6 tons (33.2 tonnes) and stretched over 100 feet (30 m). The teams hauled more than 20 million pounds (9,000 tonnes) of borax over a six-year period. Why were two horses included on each mule team? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Oil Rig Accidentally Drains Lake Peigneur (1980)When Leonce Viator, Jr., set out in his boat for a day of fishing on Louisiana's Lake Peigneur, he never imagined he would end up fighting for his life. But that is exactly what happened after an oil rig on the lake's surface accidentally bored through the roof of a salt mine beneath it. Like a bathtub whose plug has been pulled, the lake began draining into the mine, creating a whirlpool that sucked in not just water but barges, trees, and acres of surrounding land. What happened to Viator? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Alistair Cooke (1908)Cooke was a British-American journalist and broadcaster. To British audiences, he was famous for his lively and insightful interpretations of American life and culture. His weekly Letter from America, which aired for 58 years, was one of the longest-running programs in radio. To American television audiences, he was the epitome of the elegant English gentleman, hosting public television's Masterpiece Theater for 20 years. After he died, his bones were stolen and used for what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 As for a future life, every man must judge for himself between conflicting vague probabilities.Charles Darwin (1809-1882) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Opening of the Underground Caves Day (2020)The end of World War II is marked annually by the people of Butaritari Island (northern islands of the independent republic of Kiribati). Each year, they open the caves that were built to shelter them during WWII. Accompanied by a celebration, the event takes place on the anniversary of the day the caves initially were opened after the war ended in 1945. The event's main activities take place in Ukiangang village on Butaritari Island, featuring singing, dancing, feasting, and indoor and outdoor games. More... | |