Mayflower Compact Signed (1620)

The decision to settle outside the boundaries of established colonial government rather than within Virginia territory, as originally planned, led some Mayflower passengers to assert that they would not be bound by laws. Concerned Pilgrim leaders drafted a compact providing for the temporary government of the colony. The 41 adult male signers agreed to combine themselves into a “civil Body Politick” that would enact “just and equal laws” that were made for the “general good” of what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Surin Elephant Round-Up

The Elephant Round-Up is an internationally famous show of 200 or more trained elephants held annually in the provincial capital of Surin, Thailand. A tug-of-war is staged in which elephants are pitted against Thai soldiers, and there are also log-pulling contests, a soccer game with two teams of elephants kicking a giant soccer ball, elephant basketball, and other sports. A highlight is the spectacular array of elephants rigged out to reenact a medieval war parade. Besides the elephant demonstrations, there are cultural performances and folk dancing. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Voltaire (1694)

Voltaire was the pseudonym of French philosopher and writer François-Marie Arouet. One of the towering geniuses in literary and intellectual history, Voltaire was a prolific writer who authored tragedies, poems, and works on philosophical and moral problems, including Lettres philosophiques and Candide, a satire on philosophical optimism. During his lifetime, he was twice imprisoned in the Bastille and, in 1726, was exiled to England. How did Voltaire create his pen name? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Rosicrucian Order

In the early 1600s, three manifestos were published describing an esoteric order founded by Christian Rosenkreuz. The Rosicrucian Order’s secret teachings deal with the occult symbols of the rose and the cross and with mystical writings containing kabbalistic, Hermetic, and other doctrines. Practitioners claim occult powers and employ the terminology of alchemy to expound their mystical doctrines. According to the 17th century texts, Rosenkreutz was born in 1378 and lived for how many years? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Diocletian’s Army Declares Him Emperor of Rome (284 CE)

Of humble birth, Diocletian rose through the ranks of the Roman military to become a high-ranking commander. His troops proclaimed him emperor after the death of Numerian, and he became sole ruler when Carinus, Numerian’s co-emperor, was murdered by his own officers. Seeking to remove the military from politics, Diocletian established a tetrarchy, or four-ruler system, appointing Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius as co-rulers and proclaiming them all gods. Why did Diocletian abdicate in 305? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Opening of the Underground Caves Day

The end of World War II is marked annually by the people of Butaritari Island (of the independent republic of Kiribati). Each year, they open the caves that were built to shelter them during World War II. Accompanied by a celebration, the event takes place on the anniversary of the day the caves initially were opened after the war ended in 1945. The event’s main activities take place in Ukiangang village on Butaritari Island, featuring singing, dancing, feasting, and indoor and outdoor games. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Robert Francis “Bobby” Kennedy (1925)

Following his successful management of his brother’s campaign for the presidency, Robert Kennedy served as US attorney general and was John F. Kennedy’s closest adviser, exerting considerable influence on the nation’s domestic and foreign affairs. He later won election to the US Senate and, in 1968, announced his intention to run for president. After winning the California Democratic primary in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, he was assassinated. Who shot him? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Olfaction

The organs of smell are confined to a small area in the roof of the nasal cavity. Olfactory cells are stimulated when certain molecules reach them, and nerve fibers extend from these receptor cells to the olfactory bulb in the human brain. Smell is one of our most subtle senses, amplifying the sense of taste and detecting tens of thousands of distinct scents. Odor information is easily stored in long-term memory and has strong connections to emotional memory. Why might this be? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary