Robert Koch Announces Discovery of Tuberculosis Bacterium (1882)

Tuberculosis, a contagious, wasting disease that commonly attacks the lungs but may affect other organs and systems as well, is caused by several strains of mycobacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. First identified in 1882 by German bacteriologist Robert Koch, M. tuberculosis is unusual because of its lipid-rich cell wall and because it divides every 15 to 20 hours, when other bacteria divide in minutes. How long does it take E. coli to divide? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ub Iwerks (1901)

After starting an unsuccessful art studio with Walt Disney, Iwerks continued working on film animation until Disney brought him to Hollywood in 1923 to help draw Alice in Cartoonland. Together, Disney and Iwerks created Mickey Mouse—drawn by Iwerks, with Disney providing the voice. Iwerks went on to develop many special effects for animated movies, winning Academy Awards in 1959 and 1965 for his technical contributions to motion pictures. What other cartoon characters did Iwerks create? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Geghard Monastery

The Geghard monastery is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Armenia. The unique architectural structure is surrounded by towering cliffs, and part of the monastery, known as “the Monastery of the Cave,” was actually carved out of the mountainside. Gregory the Illuminator founded the complex in the 4th century at the site of a sacred spring, and in the centuries that followed, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt. What religious relics were housed at Geghard? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Patrick Henry: “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” (1775)

Henry was an American Revolutionary leader who gained a reputation as a skillful orator. A member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, he delivered his famous speech in defense of liberty to the Virginia Convention in 1775, concluding with the words “Give me liberty or give me death!” The speech is credited with having swung the balance in convincing the assembly to pass a resolution to send Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. Which future presidents were in the audience during the speech? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Akira Kurosawa (1910)

Regarded as one of the world’s greatest directors for his ability to combine Japanese aesthetic and cultural elements with a Western sense of action and drama, Kurosawa became an assistant director and scenarist at PCL movie studio in 1936. He wrote and directed his first feature film in 1943 and earned international acclaim for Rashomon in 1950. His later classic films include Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. In 1990, Kurosawa won an Academy Award for what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The MiG-25

The Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 bomber and interceptor aircraft entered into service in 1970. With a top speed of Mach 3.2, powerful radar, and 4 air-to-air missiles, the MiG-25 was a formidable opponent. Before entering operational service, 4 MiG-25Rs were flown over Israel roughly 20 times. Israeli intelligence knew when these flights were scheduled but was unable to intercept the planes. The MiG-25s used during these bold missions were temporarily in the service of whose air force? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary