Euro Disney Resort, Now Disneyland Paris, Opens (1992)

Disneyland Paris is a resort complex located in the suburbs of Paris, France. Opened in 1992 as Euro Disney Resort, it features two theme parks, an entertainment district, and seven hotels. Initially, park attendance, hotel occupancy, and revenues fell below projections, but things began to turn around in 1995, with Euro Disney S.C.A. reporting its first quarterly profit. Today, the resort is one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations. What were some of the objections to building this resort? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Liberia National Redemption Day

On April 12, 1980, 13 soldiers stormed Liberia’s executive mansion, killing William R. Tolbert and 26 other government leaders. After the massacre, 13 cabinet members were publicly executed. The soldiers were led by Samuel Kanyon Doe, who immediately set up a military regime called the People’s Redemption Council. He also declared April 12 National Redemption Day; for Doe’s political opponents, National Redemption Day was a time to memorialize the many individuals who were killed in 1980. Today, many Liberians observe the anniversary by remembering the slain. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu (1748)

A member of the French de Jussieu family of distinguished botanists, Antoine Laurent de Jussieu categorized plants into families and developed a system of plant classification. He elaborated on the system of classification of his uncle, Bernard de Jussieu, in Genera plantarum, a work which influenced later systems of classification. He was professor at the Museum of Natural History, Paris, and organized its botanical collection. What other members of the de Jussieu family were botanists? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Honor Among Thieves: The Pirate Code

In the second half of the 17th century, buccaneers began operating under a set of rules that eventually became known as Articles of Agreement, or the Pirate’s Code. While the rules generally varied from one captain to another, most contained provisions for discipline, specifications for each crewmate’s share of treasure, and rules regarding compensation for injury. According to records of the code, what was the punishment for striking another man while in the service of Captain John Phillips? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak (1965)

During the Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 1965, as many as 78 tornados—47 of which were confirmed—hit the midwestern US over the course of 11 hours. Affecting Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, the outbreak resulted in 271 deaths, thousands of injuries, and widespread damage. In Indiana alone, it killed 137 people and injured more than 1,200, becoming the deadliest tornado outbreak in the state’s history. This outbreak led to the clarification of what terms used in weather forecasts? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Santamar’a Day

In Costa Rica, Juan Santamaría
is remembered as a national hero, for his role in the makeshift militia that opposed American imperialist William Walker. On April 11, 1856, Santamaría either set fire to Walker’s fort or his ammunitions store. Although Santamaría was killed in the process, Walker’s forces were eventually repelled.
Juan Santamaría Day is actually a week-long festival of parades, concerts, dancing, and marching bands throughout the country. The official holiday is usually on April 11, the anniversary of Santamaría’s death. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Septimius Severus (145 CE)

Severus became emperor of Rome in 193 CE, also known as the “Year of the Five Emperors.” In the months before he ascended the throne, two emperors were assassinated and a third—Didius Julianus—earned the position by buying it from the Praetorian Guard. With the empire in disarray, Severus marched on Rome, ousted Julianus, and was proclaimed emperor. He then built himself a strong army that would protect both him and his empire. It is said that he gave what advice to his sons before his death? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Karaoke

Karaoke, a form of entertainment in which amateur performers sing songs using pre-recorded music, was popularized by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in the 1970s. Inoue invented a coin-operated music player in 1971 after fans requested recordings of his performances—they wanted to sing along with the music on a company retreat. He never patented the karaoke technology and thus forfeited a potential fortune. What song has been banned at many bars in the Philippines for causing too many fights? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary