Cyprus Independence Day

Cyprus gained independence from Great Britain on August 16, 1960. On that day, British governor Hugh Foot departed amid much ceremony, and Greek Cypriot freedom fighters landed on a plane from Athens with a heroes’ welcome. The new Cypriot president, Archbishop Makarios III (1913-1977), gave a speech inspiring Cypriots to improve their new nation. Independence Day is observed as a public holiday on October 1 each year. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews (1935)

Andrews is a British actress and singer best known for her roles in films such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, for which she won an Academy Award. However, she was first a Broadway musical star. She made her London debut at age 12 in a revue and her New York City stage debut seven years later. She went on to originate the roles of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Guinevere in Camelot. She also made several films with her director husband. Who was he? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Head Transplants

A head transplant is a surgical operation involving the replacement of one organism’s head with another’s. The first successful head transplant took place in the 1970s, when the head of a monkey was transplanted onto another’s body. The animal retained most of its senses but was paralyzed below the attachment site. Though still hypothetical for humans, proponents believe the procedure can help people facing widespread organ failure. What has prevented human head transplants from taking place? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary