Greenland sharks are now the longest-living vertebrates known on Earth, scientists say. Researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine the ages of 28 of the animals, and estimated that one female was about 400 years old. The team found that the sharks … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Phelps is an American swimmer who, at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, broke the record for the number of gold medals won at a single Olympics. He won gold in every one of his eight events, surpassing American swimmer Mark Spitz’s seven-gold performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics. In seven of his races, Phelps set world records. By adding four gold and two silver medals in London in 2012, Phelps became the most decorated Olympian ever. Who had previously held the record? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In Korea, the 15th, or full moon day, of the seventh lunar month is observed with Buddhist and folk agricultural traditions. Baekjung means “one hundred kinds,” referring to the great number of fruits, vegetables, and grains that flourish at this time of year. In farming areas, people celebrate this day as a “weeding party” often called Homi Ssisi or Homi ssiggi—”hoe cleaning,” since, by this time in the season, most of the hard work of farming is completed. The farm worker judged to be the hardest worker is feted with a parade around the village. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
A founder of modern probability theory and number theory, Fermat was a French jurist and amateur mathematician. A contemporary of Descartes, he independently discovered the basic principles of analytic geometry. Yet he is best remembered for the assertion now known as Fermat’s Last Theorem, which he scribbled in the margin of a book along with a note stating that he could have shown it to be true but lacked the room in which to write the proof. For how many years did the theorem remain unproven? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Though often thought of as a specific airplane, Air Force One is the air traffic control call sign for any US Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. The call sign was established for security purposes in 1953 after a commercial flight with the same call sign as the president’s plane accidentally entered the same airspace. Any Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President is called Air Force Two. What was the first presidential transport plane nicknamed? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Courageously noble in mind and heart.
Synonyms: greathearted.
Usage: Then he imagined how, after the attack, Bogdanich would come up to him as he lay wounded and would magnanimously extend the hand of reconciliation.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
For a 2-billion-year-long span, ending about 715 million years ago, Venus was likely a much more pleasant spot that it is today. To observe Venus now is to witness a dry and toxic hellscape, where the planet heats up to a scorching 864 degrees Fahrenheit. A … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Kittinger is a former command pilot and career military officer in the US Air Force known for setting a number of records, including highest parachute jump and fastest speed reached by a human traveling through the atmosphere. In 1960, as part of the Air Force’s Project Excelsior, he jumped from a balloon nearly 20 miles above the earth and fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds before opening his parachute. In 2012, 84-year-old Kittinger participated in what historic event? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Pine Battle or Pinochada of Vinuesa in the province of Soria, Spain, takes place where King Juan I located his main residence in the 14th century. On August 16, the final day of the festival, there is a ceremonial mock battle in which the women of Vinuesa attack the men with pine branches. Centuries ago, when an image of the Virgin was found between two pine trees near the boundary between Vinuesa and Covaleda, a quarrel broke out over who would keep the image. The women tore branches from the pine trees and used them to strike their opponents, thus winning the battle for Vinuesa. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
When Mortensen died at the age of 115 years and 252 days, he was the oldest man who had ever lived whose age is undisputed. Mortensen was born in Denmark in 1882 and immigrated to the US in 1903. He worked in various trades until he retired in 1950. Twenty-eight years later, at the age of 96, he reportedly rode his bicycle to a retirement home in San Rafael, California, where he lived for the rest of his life. What advice for living a long life did Mortensen give on his 115th birthday? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary