Plague Sunday

When the plague reached the village of Eyam, Derbyshire, England, in 1665, about three-fifths of the town’s population was wiped out. But under the leadership of Vicar William Mompesson, the villagers voluntarily isolated themselves from other villages in the parish. Every year on the last Sunday in August, a procession of clergy, standard bearers, choir members, and musicians forms at Eyam’s parish church and proceeds up the road leading toward a place up in the hills known as Cucklet Dell. A simple sermon pays tribute to the plague victims and the 74 villagers who survived. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749)

Goethe was a German poet, dramatist, novelist, and scientist whose dramatic poem Faust is considered one of the world’s greatest poetic and philosophic creations. In it, he represents Faust, the legendary scholar who sold his soul to the devil, tragically, as a singularly modern figure who is condemned to remain unsatisfied by life. In his later years, Goethe was celebrated as a sage and visited by world luminaries. Goethe wrote which of his novels while suicidal over an unrequited love? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Carnivorous Plants

Usually found in places with thin or nutrient-poor soil, carnivorous plants derive some or most of their sustenance by attracting, trapping, and digesting insects, small animals, and protozoans. Though there are hundreds of species of carnivorous plants, they all attract and trap prey using any of 5 basic mechanisms: pitfall traps, flypaper traps, snap traps, bladder traps, and lobster-pot traps. Just two species are classified as “active” snap traps; one is the Venus flytrap, what is the other? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Mars Makes Its Closest Approach to Earth in Nearly 60,000 Years (2003)

In its most favorable position for viewing, when it is opposite the Sun, Mars is twice as bright as the brightest star in the sky. The Red Planet was even more visible in 2003, when it made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing within 35 million mi (56 million km) of us. An email sent during the 2003 approach has spawned hoax emails saying that during an upcoming approach Mars will appear as big as the Moon. When is the next time Mars will be as close as it was in 2003? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Stiftungsfest

Appropriately enough, Minnesota’s oldest continuous festival is held in the town of Norwood-Young America. Loosely translated as “founders’ day,” Stiftungsfest was created in 1861 by the Young America Pioneer Maennerchor (men’s choir) as a way of bringing the music of old Germany to the new world. Well-known bands and singing groups from Germany as well as local groups perform during the three-day event, which includes a traditional German beer garden, a Heritage Tent showcasing German arts and crafts, and a Grand Parade. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Theodore Dreiser (1871)

Dreiser was a novelist and pioneer of naturalism in American literature. After working as a journalist, magazine editor, and publisher, he published his first novel, Sister Carrie, which was denounced as scandalous. In 1915, the withdrawal of his autobiographical novel, The Genius, from distribution on moral grounds ignited a national anticensorship campaign supported by most of the leading literary figures of the day. Whose murder inspired his An American Tragedy? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Subvertising

Subvertising is the practice of making spoofs or parodies of corporate and political advertisements. Taking its name from a combination of the words “subvert” and “advertising,” the act is often intended to sabotage its targets by presenting easily recognizable images that are shocking upon second glance. Still, some critics say subverts, which are often modified versions of existing images, merely increase public awareness of the original symbols. How have subverts been used politically? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary