Ticker-Tape Parade Invented in New York City (1886)

Before the advent of the Internet, stock quotes were printed by telegraph machines on continuous paper ribbon known as ticker tape. In 1886, New Yorkers became the first to use the tape as confetti during an impromptu celebration of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, inventing what would come to be known as a “ticker-tape parade.” Since then, ticker-tape parades have been used to greet dignitaries, honor war heroes, and fete sports teams. What materials are now used instead of ticker tape? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Coronation Day and Sihanouk’s Birthday

The celebration of former King Norodom Sihanouk‘s birthday on October 31 has been combined with the October 29 anniversary of the coronation of his son, King Norodom Sihamoni. Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his son in 2004. The three-day celebration is centered in Phnom Penh, around the Royal Palace. People from all over the country come to the capital city to watch parades, partake in cultural events, and see the elaborate fireworks display along the riverbank near the palace. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

James Boswell (1740)

Boswell was a Scottish lawyer and author who is best known for his biography of English literary scholar and critic Samuel Johnson, a noted wit. Boswell’s record of Johnson’s pithy remarks earned The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. recognition as one of the greatest biographies of Western literature. So skillful was his work that Johnson is perhaps better remembered for his sayings in the biography than for his own writings. What Boswell manuscripts were discovered in the 20th century? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Persistence of Memory

Salvador Dalí remains one of the most important painters of both the surrealist movement and the 20th century. Influenced by Freud’s psychoanalytic theories and dream studies, he developed a repertoire of striking, dreamlike, distorted images in a style he termed “hand-painted dream photographs.” Completed in 1931, The Persistence of Memory is Dalí’s most famous work. It depicts four soft, melting pocket watches. How is this imagery generally interpreted? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Siege of La Rochelle Ends (1628)

In 1598, French King Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes to restore internal peace in France, ravaged by the Wars of Religion. The edict gave the French Protestants, or Huguenots, extensive rights and control of certain cities, including La Rochelle, which became a stronghold for them. However, Henry’s successor, Louis XIII, and his minister, Cardinal Richelieu, resolved to crush the Huguenots, and La Rochelle fell after a 14-month siege. How did the royal forces block sea access to the city? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

St. Jude’s Day

Because St. Jude is believed to have been martyred with St. Simon in Persia, where they had gone to preach Christianity, their feast is celebrated jointly on October 28, thought to be the date on which their relics were moved to old St. Peter’s basilica. Since St. Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes, the saint’s day is observed particularly by students. St. Jude and St. Joseph traditionally are the most important saints to Roman Catholics in Buffalo, New York, where people buy St. Jude medals to help them win over impossible odds or achieve the unachievable. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Jonas Salk (1914)

Salk was an American physician and microbiologist renowned for his work in developing the first vaccine against polio. He began his groundbreaking studies on viruses and immunization with the influenza virus. Later, while working with other scientists to classify the poliovirus, he confirmed earlier studies that identified three strains, and he showed that the killed virus of each strain could induce antibody formation without producing disease. Who owned the patent for Salk’s vaccine? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Terror Behind the Walls

Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, which operated from 1829-1970, is considered the world’s first penitentiary. Its revolutionary incarceration system used solitary confinement to rehabilitate inmates, but it is believed that this led to significant mental illness rather than the intended spiritual reflection. The prison now operates as a museum and hosts over 74,000 visitors at its annual Terror Behind the Walls haunted house. How did bank robber Willie Sutton escape the prison in 1945? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary