Month: July 2016

The Los Alfaques Disaster (1978)

The Los Alfaques disaster was an explosion that took place near a campsite in Tarragona, Spain, when a leaking tanker truck loaded with 23 tons of highly flammable liquid propylene ignited. This resulted in a massive explosion and fireball that reached over 1000° F (538° C) and destroyed everything within a 1000-ft (300-m) radius. It killed 217 people, including the truck’s driver, and severely burned more than 200. What regulations were later instituted to prevent future disasters of this sort? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Feast Day of the Flemish Community

Each of the autonomous regions of Belgium observes its own feast day. The Flemish Community celebrates its heritage on the anniversary of The Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. On the feast day, all Flemish governmental offices close for the holiday. Various cities, municipalities, and private groups hold cultural events; local Flemings and those resettled throughout the world pause to give a toast to Flanders; and many gather to hear the minister-president of the Flemish Community deliver a speech marking the anniversary. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561)

Góngora was a poet of the Spanish Golden Age who successfully wove Renaissance and popular poetry into an original and elegant form. Very influential in his era, he developed the difficult, complex poetic style that became known as Gongorism. It provoked enmity from many of his contemporaries and was so exaggerated by less gifted imitators that his reputation suffered until the 20th century. He has since been called Spain’s greatest poet. What is his most famous work? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Battle of Alcatraz

A failed escape from Alcatraz Island Federal Penitentiary by six inmates in 1946 prompted a massive security response involving the San Francisco Police Department, US Coast Guard, FBI, Air Force, and Marines. Two guards and three prisoners were killed during the two-day confrontation that has come to be known as “The Battle of Alcatraz,” and two more prisoners were later executed for their role in the incident. How many years passed before prisoners attempted another escape from Alcatraz? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) Formed (2000)

EADS is one of the world’s largest aerospace companies. It was formed in 2000 from the merger of Aerospatiale Matra of France, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, and Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A. of Spain. Responsible for the final assembly of Airbus aircraft, it is one of the top makers of commercial and military aircraft. It is also one of the major arms manufacturers in Europe, and its divisions also produce communications systems, space rockets, and satellites. Where is it based? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

North American Indian Days

This is one of the largest gatherings of United States and Canadian Native tribes, held in Browning, Montana, the hub of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in the northwest mountains of the state. The powwow grounds fill up with teepees for four festive days of traditional Indian dancing, games, and sporting events. There are also exhibits of arts and crafts—beadwork, quill and feather work, moccasins and other leather goods. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary