Month: November 2016

Mary of Guise (1515)

Mary of Guise was the queen consort of James V of Scotland and the mother of their daughter—the future Mary Queen of Scots. After the outbreak of war between Scotland and England, Mary arranged her daughter’s betrothal to the French dauphin. Becoming regent, Mary of Guise made no secret of her desire to bring France and Scotland together. In 1559, the Protestants, led by John Knox and allied with England, rose against her and declared her deposed. What happened in the aftermath of her death? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Comanche Moon

The Comanche were one of the first Native American Plains groups to adopt the horse as a significant part of their culture. By the mid-19th century, they were supplying horses to traders and settlers, but because many of the horses had been stolen, the Comanche were often drawn into battle. The group regularly attacked under the full moon, a condition which afforded them better visibility during nighttime raids and led to the term “Comanche Moon.” How far south were the feared raids carried out? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

First Permanent ARPANET Link Is Established (1969)

Funded by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), ARPANET was the first digital network that utilized packet switching, a method of data transmission. A revolutionary technology, it ultimately led to the creation of the modern Internet. The network’s first permanent connection was made between computers at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Stanford Research Institute. By 1983, more than 300 computers were connected. What was the first message sent through ARPANET? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Arbaeen Pilgrimage

In the year 680 CE, Imam al-Hussein died during the Battle of Taf in Karbala, Iraq. He was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and, for Shiite Muslims, one of the three holiest figures in their religion. To commemorate his passing, Shiites from around the world hold the week-long Arbaeen Pilgrimage to his gravesite 40 days after his death. This period of 40 days is the traditional Muslim mourning period following a death. Imam al-Hussein’s tomb is in the town of Karbala, about 50 miles south of Baghdad. For Shiite Muslims, the city is also believed to be a gate to paradise. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Hetty Green (1834)

Green was an American financier and reputedly the wealthiest American woman of her time. In 1865, her father and aunt both died, leaving her an estate valued at $10 million. She invested her inheritance so shrewdly that she came to be regarded as the greatest woman financier in the world, amassing an estate valued at $100-200 million. An extremely miserly woman, the “Witch of Wall Street” allegedly refused a hernia operation because it cost $150. What are some other examples of her stinginess? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Chalk Streams

Chalk streams are watercourses originating from chalk hills, where rainwater soaks into the ground and is trapped by porous chalk rock. The chalk acts as an aquifer, filtering the water that passes through it and creating a clear, mineral-rich spring lower down on the slope. Because the chalk also regulates the flow of water to the waterway below, there is little day-to-day variation in the amount of water entering the stream. Such conditions make chalk streams an ideal venue for what activity? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary