Narak Chaturdashi

The day after Dhan Teras is celebrated by Hindus as Narak Chaturdashi. It is dedicated to Yama, the god of Naraka, or Hell. Bathing at dawn on this day is considered essential; in fact, those who bathe after the sun has risen risk losing their religious merit. After bathing, Hindus offer libations to Yama three times in the hope that he will spare them the tortures of hell. A fast is observed, and, in the evening, lamps are lit in Yama’s honor. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Emanuel Swedenborg

Swedenborg was a Swedish scientist, theologian, and mystic. After beginning publication of Sweden’s first scientific journal, he gradually shifted toward philosophy of nature and metaphysics, believing that the universe had a basically spiritual structure. In 1744, he claimed to have had a vision of Christ, and afterward spent the rest of his career interpreting the Bible and relating what he had seen in his visions. What was Swedenborg said to have predicted through a purported psychic ability? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Marine Chronometer

Before the mid-18th century, navigators were unable to accurately determine their longitude at sea. In an effort to encourage innovators to develop a method for precisely determining a ship’s longitude, the British government began offering a prize in 1714. In 1735, John Harrison invented the first timepiece accurate enough to be used in such calculations. He spent the next 30 years improving his chronometer and was awarded a good deal of money as a result. What do ships use to navigate today? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

St. Crispin’s Day

According to legend, Crispin and his brother Crispinian traveled from Rome to the French town of Soissons, where they preached and earned a living as shoemakers. The people of Soissons built a church in their honor in the sixth century, and since that time they have been known as the patron saints of shoemakers and other workers in leather. This is also the day on which the French and English armies fought the battle of Agincourt in the middle period of the Hundred Years War (1415). Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

During the French Wars of Religion, Catherine de Médici plotted to have Gaspard II de Coligny—leader of the French Protestants known as Huguenots—assassinated. When the attempt failed, she convinced King Charles IX to murder all of the Huguenot leaders, who were in Paris for the wedding of the future Henry IV. The massacre began on August 24—St. Bartholomew’s Day—and spread to the provinces. By October, tens of thousands of Huguenots had been killed. Why was Catherine able to influence Charles? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Battle of Edgehill (1642)

The Battle of Edgehill was the first major engagement of the English Civil War, fought between the Royalist army of King Charles I and the Parliamentarians. The battle ended in a draw, and its inconclusive result prevented either faction from gaining a quick victory in the war, which eventually resulted in the execution of the king and the establishment of a republican commonwealth. What did a group of Parliamentarian troops under Faithfull Fortescue do when the Royalists charged them? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary