Originally created as a test to ensure new sailors were capable of handling long, rough stretches at sea, the “Crossing the Line” ceremony is an initiation rite used by many navies to commemorate a sailor’s first crossing of the equator. Sailors who have already crossed the equator are nicknamed Shellbacks; those who have not are called Pollywogs. Many navies now have regulations to prevent hazing during the tradition, which often involves various physical tests. What is a Golden Shellback? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In 1066, King Edward the Confessor of England died childless. His cousin William of Normandy claimed that he had been promised the throne years earlier, yet Harold, duke of Wessex, was crowned instead. William then assembled a force of 5,000 knights and invaded. He was crowned less than three months later, following a swift and brutal conquest that had a profound and lasting effect on English life. When William landed at Pevensey on September 28, Harold’s forces were busy elsewhere—doing what? 
Schmeling was a German boxer who, in his greatest upset, knocked out future world heavyweight champion Joe Louis—then an unbeaten 22-year-old contender—in 1936. When they met again in a hugely hyped 1938 match, Louis knocked out Schmeling in the first round. The rivals later became fast friends. When Louis died in 1981, Schmeling helped pay for the funeral. Though lauded as an Aryan idol in Germany, Schmeling was neither political nor racist. How did he save two Jewish children from the Nazis? 
One of the most widely read books among Eastern Orthodox Christians, The Ladder of Divine Ascent was composed by Christian monk John Climacus around 600 CE and is addressed to members of Christian monastic movements. The work is divided into 30 parts, or “steps,” that describe how to bring one’s soul closer to God, as if climbing a ladder. The book discusses virtues, vices, and the means by which to attain the highest degree of religious perfection. What do the 30 steps represent? 
In 1954, Tonight debuted with 32-year-old Steve Allen hosting. The humorous late-night talk show came to occupy a prominent place in American television and has aired for more than 50 years, usually on weeknights. Some of its longer-running hosts have included Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, and Jay Leno, each backed by house musicians. In 1960, Paar walked off stage in the middle of a show, angry that censors had cut one of his jokes. He returned weeks later. What was the joke? 
Each of the