First Edition of the Los Angeles Times Is Published (1881)

Established in 1881, the Los Angeles Times was purchased and incorporated in 1884 by Harrison Gray Otis. The newspaper prospered and became an influential force in conservative politics in California. Long dominated by the Chandler family, beginning with Otis’s son-in-law Harry Chandler, it developed into a model of balanced and comprehensive journalism in the 1960s, with Otis Chandler at the helm, and came to be seen as one of the world’s top papers. Why were its offices bombed in 1910? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Siaosi Tupou I Day

King George Tupou I, also known by his Tongan name of King Siaosi Tupou I, was the first king of the Pacific island nation of Tonga. He took on the title on December 4, 1845, and the date is a Tongan national holiday. Tupuo’s rule was marked by a number of landmark events. He abolished serfdom and introduced the nation’s first written laws. He also opened the country’s first parliament and introduced its first constitution. Tonga honors King Tupou I for establishing much about their country, both good and bad, that still distinguishes it today. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Samuel Butler (1835)

Butler was a British novelist and critic. Descended from clergymen, he grappled for years with Christianity and evolution in his writings, first embracing, then rejecting, Charles Darwin’s theories. He is best known for his autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh. During his lifetime, his reputation rested on the utopian satire Erewhon (1872), which foreshadowed the end of the Victorian illusion of eternal progress. What prediction did Butler make about human evolution? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Local Currency

A local currency is a currency that is not backed by a national government and is intended for trade only in a small area. Today, more than 2,500 local currency systems operate throughout the world. Though advocates say local currencies enable people in economically depressed regions to improve their situation, opponents argue that such systems can interfere with economies of scale and lead to tax evasion. What are some examples of local currencies? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

New Evidence that Lucy, Our Most Famous Ancestor, Had Superstrong Arms

In Ethiopia, she is known as “Dinkinesh” — Amharic for “you are marvelous.” It’s an apt name for one of the most complete ancient hominid skeletons ever found, an assemblage of fossilized bones that has given scientists unprecedented insight into the … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Illinois Becomes the 21st US State (1818)

At the end the French and Indian Wars, France ceded the entire Illinois region to Britain. This region was an integral part of the Old Northwest that was brought within US boundaries 20 years later by the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution. In 1787, the area was officially designated the Northwest Territory. Made part of Indiana Territory in 1800, Illinois was granted statehood in 1818. In recent years, Illinois has earned recognition for being what sort of state? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Noel Night

Noel Night is a community holiday celebration that takes place on the first Saturday of December in the University Cultural Center area of Detroit, Michigan. Held annually since 1973, Noel Night offers dozens of unique holiday displays and activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, a living nativity scene, musical and comedy performances, holiday lighting, and an ice sculpture competition. A community sing-a-long led by the Salvation Army Band concludes the festivities, which take place between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

George Brinton McClellan (1826)

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, McClellan was placed in command of the Union forces in Ohio. Appointed general-in-chief of the army by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, he cautiously conducted the Peninsular Campaign but failed to take Richmond. At the Battle of Antietam, he failed to destroy Robert E. Lee’s army, and Lincoln removed him from command. In 1864, he was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for president against Lincoln. What did Lee once say about McClellan? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Land of Punt

Punt was a fabled land in eastern Africa sought by ancient Egyptians as a source of gold, frankincense, myrrh, and other exotic and precious goods. It is known only from Egyptian records of expeditions to East Africa, which date back to the 25th century BCE. Punt was also called “God’s Land” because its position in relation to the rising sun placed it under the sun god’s domain. Though most scholars link Punt with the Red Sea, its exact location remains a mystery. What are some of the theories? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary