Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, May 23, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
promulgate
| |||||||
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Capacocha: Pre-Columbian Child SacrificeThe ritualistic killing of children was a common religious practice in some of the prominent pre-Colombian cultures. The Olmec civilization, which flourished in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico between 1200 and 400 BCE, may have been one such society. Evidence of the brutal practice was found in the El Manatí sacrificial bog, where the skeletons of an unknown number of infants were uncovered. How many times a year did the Aztecs celebrate religious festivals with child sacrifice? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
 New York Public Library Dedicated (1911)When former New York governor Samuel J. Tilden died in 1886, he left $2.4 million in his will for the creation of a grand public library. At that time, there were two other important libraries in New York City—the Astor and the Lenox—but they were struggling. With Tilden's gift, they were merged in 1895. The new library's cornerstone was laid in 1902 at the old Croton Reservoir on Fifth Avenue, and it finally opened to the public in 1911. By 1910, how many miles of shelves had been installed? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 Rosemary Clooney (1928)Clooney was an American singer popular in the 1950s with hits such as "Come On-a My House." She also appeared in several movies, including White Christmas (1954), which co-starred Bing Crosby. In the 1960s, mental illness and drug addiction took a toll on her career, but she made a comeback in the mid-1970s and performed until her death in 2002. Her 1968 mental breakdown was precipitated by the assassination—as she stood nearby—of what personal friend? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Every man desires to live long, but no man would be old.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Cavalcata Sarda (2020)This famous procession—or cavalcata—was originally held in Sassari, Sardinia, Italy, more than 900 years ago to celebrate a victory over Saracen invaders. Today the procession consists of costumed groups from over 100 Sardinian villages. Wearing the traditional dress of their region, participants in the Cavalcata Sarda often ride through the streets in ox-drawn carts. After the procession is over, the celebration continues with singing and dancing. More... | |