Month: June 2015

Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated (1914)

Nephew of Francis Joseph, emperor of Austria and king of Hungary, Ferdinand became heir apparent in 1896. While visiting Sarajevo, he and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Austria soon declared war on Serbia, prompting countries allied with Austria-Hungary—the Central Powers—and those allied with Serbia—the Triple Entente—to declare war on each other, precipitating WWI. The assassination was not the first attempt on his life. What had happened earlier that day? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Svenskarnas Dag

Svenskarnas Dag honors the Swedish heritage of the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the longest day of the year. When the festival first started in 1934, it was observed in August, but in 1941 the day was changed to the fourth Sunday in June so that it would coincide with midsummer observances in Sweden. The festival includes a band concert, Swedish folk dancing, choral group performances, and the crowning of a Midsummer Queen. A national celebrity of Swedish descent is often asked to officiate at this one-day event, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Peter Paul Rubens (1577)

Rubens was a prolific 17th-century Flemish Baroque painter whose exuberant style emphasized movement, color, and sensuality. Known for his altarpieces, portraits, and landscapes, Rubens ran a large studio in Antwerp where he produced more than 2,000 paintings by supervising an enormous workshop of skilled apprentices. Also a diplomat, Rubens was knighted by both Philip IV of Spain and Charles I of England. Aspects of Rubens’s paintings gave rise to the term “Rubenesque,” which means what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. Situated on the Lake of Geneva and divided by the Rhône River, it became a focal point of the Reformation when John Calvin arrived there in 1536, after the city expelled its bishop. The city’s intellectual life reached its zenith in the 18th century, when the stern theocracy of Calvin had mellowed into patrician rule and Voltaire and Rousseau were among the city’s residents. What important international organizations are headquartered there? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Latter-Day Saints Founder Joseph Smith Murdered (1844)

Smith was the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. He established his first church in New York but was forced to move his headquarters to Ohio, Missouri, and then Illinois. In 1844, he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the US, but he was imprisoned for treason after his efforts to silence Mormon dissenters led to mob violence. While in jail, Smith and his brother were murdered by a mob. Who led the Mormons to Utah after his death? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Verdur Rock

Verdur Rock, a music festival held in the French-speaking region of Belgium known as Wallonia, offers amateur rock bands a rare shot at playing before a large audience. As many as 10,000 gather for the free one-day event at the Verdur Theater, an open-air venue standing on top of the historic citadel of Namur. Over the years, organizers have negotiated a balance between established international and Belgian performers and the “Young Talents,” local French-speaking bands who earn stage slots by beating out other competitors. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vera Wang (1949)

As a girl, Wang trained as a figure skater. However, after failing to make the US Olympic team, she turned to fashion. She served as senior fashion editor for Vogue for 16 years and as a design director for Ralph Lauren for two before opening her own design salon in 1990. Now a successful fashion designer, Wang has created wedding gowns for the rich and famous as well as costumes for Olympic figure skaters. Which US football team’s cheerleading squad sports uniforms designed by Wang? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary