This ceremony has been held each year since 1947 at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, in memory of the victims of the atomic bomb that devastated the city in 1945. On August 15, Japan surrendered, ending World War II. The peace ceremony is held in the evening, when the city’s citizens set thousands of lanterns adrift on the Ota River and prayers are offered for world peace. Memorial services are also held throughout the world. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Ball was the star of the tremendously popular 1950s television show I Love Lucy. Prior to her superstardom, Ball appeared in many B-movies, earning the nickname “Queen of the B’s.” With her rasping voice and a comic persona alternately brassy and feminine, she became the preeminent female star of the early decades of television. She and costar Desi Arnaz, married in real life and on I Love Lucy, divorced after the show ended. In what other shows and films did Ball appear? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Drifting is a motorsport in which drivers deliberately oversteer their cars, sending them sideways through a series of turns. A car is said to be “drifting” when its front wheels are pointing in the direction opposite a given turn, creating an angle between the direction of travel and the direction the wheels are facing. Modern drifting began over 30 years ago as a racing technique popular in Japan. It has since evolved into a competitive sport in which drivers are judged based on what criteria? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Happening every second year.
Synonyms: biyearly.
Usage: They met at the biennial convention and lamented the fact that they would not see each other until the next meeting two years later.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Prior to 1914, there had been several attempts to create automobile traffic signals similar to those used by railroads, but it was only after a four-way electric signal was installed in Cleveland, Ohio, that the modern traffic light system began to take root. The signal had only two colors, green and red, but the three-color version still in use today was not far off. What US city claims to be home to the oldest working traffic light in the country? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Icelandic Festival, or Islendingadagurinn, held in Gimli, Manitoba, each year is one of the oldest ethnic festivals in Canada, dating back to 1890. The Icelandic settlers who emigrated to Canada wanted to do something to preserve their heritage and customs, and the current festival continues to reflect this interest in Icelandic culture. The events include choral singing and cultural and artistic displays. Participants dress in native Icelandic costumes and eat traditional foods such as smoked lamb and skyr, which is similar to yogurt. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Armstrong became a pilot at 16, studied aeronautical engineering, and won three medals as a US Navy pilot in the Korean War. He became test pilot in 1955 and joined the space program in 1962. He made history in 1969, when he became the first person to walk on the Moon, a feat he famously declared “one giant leap for mankind.” Though this brought him worldwide renown, he, for the most part, avoided the limelight. What unusual legal battle did he face with his barber in 2005? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Also known as ghost money, Joss paper is a type of paper burned during traditional Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies on special holidays. The paper is also sometimes burned at Chinese funerals. Traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper or rice paper, Joss paper is typically cut into individual squares or rectangles that are decorated with a thin piece of square foil or a red ink seal. More contemporary and westernized varieties of Joss paper include Hell Bank Notes, which are what? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects.
Synonyms: excursive, rambling, discursive.
Usage: His speech was digressive and rambling, and we soon tired of the pointless tangents.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Political instability coupled with economic unrest undermined the Greek government for much of the 1920s and 30s and finally brought parliament to a standstill in 1936. On August 4 of that year, Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas declared a state of emergency, suspended parliament, and made himself dictator—with the blessing of the king. Though his 4th of August Regime suppressed political opposition, it also carried out beneficial economic and social reforms. What brought the regime to an end? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary