Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, November 17, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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cajole
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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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 | |
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 The Russo-Japanese WarThe Russo-Japanese War was a conflict that grew out of the rival imperial designs of Russia and Japan on Manchuria and Korea. After Russia reneged on an agreement to withdraw from Manchuria, Japan broke off negotiations and attacked, scoring a series of quick victories. With the signing of the 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth, Japan gained the position of a world power, becoming the first non-European and non-American modern imperialist state. The disastrous outcome for Russia helped spark what event? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 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 | |
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 Isamu Noguchi (1904)Noguchi was a prominent American sculptor. After briefly studying medicine, he won two Guggenheim fellowships that allowed him to study in Paris under renowned modern artist Constantin Brancusi. In his work in stone, wood, and metal, Noguchi integrated European modernism with Japanese traditionalism, harmonizing rough and smooth, geometric and organic. Among his diverse artistic creations are playgrounds, sculpture gardens, ballet sets, and furniture. With which inventor did he collaborate? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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lay down and die— To quit; to give up hope or ambition. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 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 | |
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Today's topic: scrapmammock - A scrap, shred, or piece that is torn or broken off. More... riffraff - Rif/riff, "spoil, strip," and raf, "carry off," combined as rif et raf in French, then went to English as riff and raff, "everything, every scrap," and then riffraff. More... scrip - Can be a scrap of paper with writing on it. More... tatter - A scrap of cloth, from Old Norse totrar, "rags"; often used as tatters. More... | |