Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, September 28, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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prerogative
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| Article of the Day | |
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 The Ladder of Divine AscentOne of the most widely read books among Eastern Orthodox Christians, The Ladder of Divine Ascent was composed by Christian monk John Climacus around 600 CE and is addressed to members of Christian monastic movements. The work is divided into 30 parts, or "steps,” that describe how to bring one's soul closer to God, as if climbing a ladder. The book discusses virtues, vices, and the means by which to attain the highest degree of religious perfection. What do the 30 steps represent? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Norman Conquest of England Begins (1066)In 1066, King Edward the Confessor of England died childless. His cousin William of Normandy claimed that he had been promised the throne years earlier, yet Harold, duke of Wessex, was crowned instead. William then assembled a force of 5,000 knights and invaded. He was crowned less than three months later, following a swift and brutal conquest that had a profound and lasting effect on English life. When William landed at Pevensey on September 28, Harold's forces were busy elsewhere—doing what? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Max Schmeling (1905)Schmeling was a German boxer who, in his greatest upset, knocked out future world heavyweight champion Joe Louis—then an unbeaten 22-year-old contender—in 1936. When they met again in a hugely hyped 1938 match, Louis knocked out Schmeling in the first round. The rivals later became fast friends. When Louis died in 1981, Schmeling helped pay for the funeral. Though lauded as an Aryan idol in Germany, Schmeling was neither political nor racist. How did he save two Jewish children from the Nazis? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it, and a lethargy steals over all the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. She becomes all outer show and inward emptiness; dull, callous, and indifferent.Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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let down (one's) guard— To become less guarded or vigilant; to stop being cautious about potential trouble or danger. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Czech Statehood Day (2017)Czech Statehood Day marks the assassination of Duke Vaclav Wenceslas of Bohemia by his brother on September 28, c. 929-935. Wenceslas was canonized as a saint due to his martyr's death. Czech Statehood Day is a public holiday celebrated throughout the Czech Republic. Every year the Czech president awards St. Wenceslas medals to people who contributed to Czech statehood. This ceremony takes place at Prague Castle, where a memorial wreath is placed on the statue of St. Wenceslas. In addition, a pilgrimage takes place at Stara Boleslav, the site of his murder. More... | |
| In the News | |
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Pluto's 'Skyscrapers': What's Responsible for Dwarf Planet's Giant Ice BladePluto's surface hosts blades of ice that soar to the height of skyscrapers — and researchers have narrowed down exactly how the dramatic features form. According to new research, the blades are made mostly of methane ice, and form similarly to (much ... More... | |