Month: July 2016

The World’s Clouds Are in Different Places than They Were 30 Years Ago

In a new study published in Nature on Monday, scientists say they have for the first time thoroughly documented one of the most profound planetary changes yet to be caused by a warming climate: The distribution of clouds all across the Earth has shifted, they … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Saddam Hussein Becomes President of Iraq (1979)

Hussein was president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. He joined Iraq’s Ba’th Party in 1957 and fled to Egypt after participating in a failed attempt to assassinate the Iraqi prime minister in 1959. He returned to Iraq when the Ba’thists gained power in 1963 but was jailed when they were overthrown. He escaped and helped reinstall the party in 1968. A decade later, he took over the presidency with the aim of replacing Egypt as leader of the Arab world. How many wars did Iraq fight during his tenure? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Nuestra Señora de Itatí

The town of Itatí is situated on the banks of Argentina‘s Paraná River. Two days before the well-known festival of Neustra Señora de Itatí, which is held on July 16, thousands of pilgrims begin to arrive from San Luis de Palmar in a seemingly endless procession of people on horseback, in carts, and on foot; festival goers arrive from all over Argentina as well. Worship services take place on the 16th in the huge basilica that guards the copper statue of the Virgin, which is more than 24 feet high. Pilgrims even ascend up into the statue until their heads reach the Virgin’s crown. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Saint Clare of Assisi (1194)

Born to a noble family, Chiara Offreduccio, now St. Clare of Assisi, was deeply influenced by fellow Assisian St. Francis. Refusing to marry, she instead fled to a chapel where he received her vows. She later became abbess of a female religious community that included her sister and mother. The Second Order of St. Francis, or Poor Clares, adopted the absolute poverty of St. Francis but was strictly cloistered, unlike its counterpart, the Franciscans. Why is Clare the patron saint of television? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Criminal Tattoos

Tattoos are used by many criminals to show gang membership and mark their personal history, skills, and convictions. The system of Russian criminal tattoos is perhaps the most elaborate—both the symbols themselves and their locations on the body carry meaning. For example, butterflies signify an escape artist, while a crucifix worn on the chest signifies a “Prince of Thieves,” the highest rank among criminals. In a criminal tattoo of a Russian church, what does each of the domes symbolize? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Fire Ravages Rome’s Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (1823)

In 1823, a worker repairing the roof of Rome’s Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls accidentally started a fire that resulted in its almost total destruction. The church, built under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, had retained its original character for nearly 1,500 years. Reconstruction work began almost immediately with the aim of recreating the original structure. The viceroy of Egypt contributed alabaster pillars to the rebuilding effort, while the Russian emperor sent what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Festival of Castor and Pollux

In Greco-Roman mythology, Castor and Pollux were twin gods who helped shipwrecked sailors and received sacrifices for favorable winds. Worshipped as the Dioscuri (from the Greek Dioskouroi, or “sons of Zeus”), their cult was a popular one in 484 BCE, when, according to legend, the twins fought on the side of the Romans in the Battle of Lake Regillus and brought word of their victory to Rome. A temple was built for them in the Forum, and it was here that the annual festival in their honor was celebrated on July 15. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary