The Palermo Stone

The Palermo stone is the largest known fragment of an ancient Egyptian stele containing the earliest extant historic annals. It was engraved around the 25th century BCE and includes a hieroglyphic listing of the kings of ancient Egypt, the years of their reigns, notations of historic events, and information pertaining to the flooding of the Nile. The stone was so named because it is housed in a museum in Palermo, Italy, but small pieces of it are held in what other cities? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Soviet Union Announces Boycott of Summer Olympics (1984)

In response to the US boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, 14 Eastern Bloc countries, including the USSR, Cuba, and East Germany, boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. The USSR cited US “chauvinistic sentiments and anti-Soviet hysteria” in its announcement of its decision not to participate. Thanks, in part, to the Soviet boycott, the US won 83 gold medals and 174 medals overall in Los Angeles. How did the US’s unexpected success cost McDonald’s millions? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Festival of Nations (Minnesota)

The Festival of Nations takes place in St. Paul, Minnesota, a city of great ethnic diversity. Nearly 100 different ethnic groups participate in this event, which has been presented by the International Institute of Minnesota since 1932 and features costumes, folk craft demonstrations, and cultural exhibits. Folk dance and music performances run continuously and showcase performers from Greece, Egypt, Ireland, Polynesia, Norway, Ecuador, Armenia, and many other countries. Sidewalk cafes serve authentic food from more than four dozen countries. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Petrus Canisius (1521)

Canisius was a 16th century Jesuit preacher who fought against the spread of Protestantism in Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and Switzerland. His catechism, Summa Doctrinae Christianae, authorized in 1566, was one of the earliest popular expositions of the faith. The reestablishment of Roman Catholicism in Germany after the Reformation was largely due to his zeal, and he was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1925. What line is he credited with adding to the Hail Mary prayer? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

George C. Parker: Landmark Broker

Parker was one of the most audacious con men in US history. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Parker sold and resold many of New York’s landmarks to unwitting tourists. His most popular sales pitch was for the Brooklyn Bridge, a structure he sold on a regular basis. On a number of occasions, police were called to intervene as naïve “owners” attempted to erect tollbooths on the span. Imprisoned in 1928, Parker easily charmed the inmates and guards. What other landmarks did he sell? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

World War II: Germany Signs Unconditional Surrender (1945)

By the beginning of 1944, air warfare had turned overwhelmingly in favor of the Allies, who wrought unprecedented destruction on many German cities and on transport and industries throughout German-held Europe. German collapse came after the meeting of the Western and Russian armies at Torgau in Saxony, and after Hitler’s death amid the ruins of Berlin, which was falling to the Russians. The unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Reims on May 7. When did it take effect? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary