Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, September 14, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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whimsy
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| Article of the Day | |
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 OstrichesFlightless birds that inhabit Africa and parts of Asia, ostriches are the largest birds on Earth and the fastest animals on two legs. When they are unable to run from predators, however, they may attempt to camouflage themselves as mounds of dirt by lying on the ground with their necks outstretched, a habit that might have given rise to the notion that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when they sense danger. They can also defend themselves—ostriches have been known to kill what predator? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Domitian Becomes Emperor of Rome (81 CE)The son of Roman Emperor Vespasian, Domitian was second in line for the throne, yet he was only given positions of nominal importance prior to succeeding his older brother Titus, whom he most likely had killed. Though his laws were severe and increasingly despotic, his administration was ostensibly egalitarian, and he is said to have governed the empire well. Still, defeats in Britain and Germany undermined his leadership. About which of his physical traits was he reportedly extremely sensitive? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Clayton Moore (1914)Moore performed as a stunt man, trapeze artist, and occasional actor in Westerns until he was spotted in a Zorro film by the producer of The Lone Ranger. From 1949 to 1957, he appeared in 169 episodes of The Lone Ranger as the titular masked character, who roams the West fighting injustice with his trusty sidekick, Tonto, and horse, Silver. The Ranger never removed his trademark mask, which Moore continued to wear in public until a 1979 lawsuit forced him to replace it with what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Tono Matsuri (2020)This autumn festival in Japan, observed in the hope that it will bring a good harvest, provides an excellent display of traditional Japanese arts. There is a Shishi Odori dance, performed to the accompaniment of taiko drums; Taue-odori, a rice-planting dance; kagura (sacred music and dance) performances; and Yabusame (horseback archery) demonstrations. There is also a children's parade, called Chigo-gyoretsu. A distinctive genre of festival music, known as Nambu-bayashi, is performed on the grounds of the Tonogo-hachimangu Shrine in Tono. More... | |