Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875)

Born into immense wealth as a member of the Vanderbilt family, Whitney studied sculpture in the US and Europe. In addition to producing her own notable artwork, which included a Titanic memorial, Whitney became an influential patron and collector. After attempting to donate her vast art collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and being turned away, Whitney founded her own museum—today one of the foremost museums of modern American art. What family dispute made headlines in 1934? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the world’s longest man-made structure, stretching approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 km) along China’s northern and northwestern borders. Erected to prevent invasions by northern nomads, it is an amalgamation of many walls built in ancient times and connected by later empires. Averaging a height of 25 feet (7.6 m) and a width of 15 to 30 feet (4.6–9.1 m) at its base, the wall is fortified by watchtowers placed at regular intervals. Can the Great Wall be seen from space? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Crazy Horse’s Last Stand: The Battle of Wolf Mountain (1877)

At the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, American Indian forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull soundly defeated US Lt. Col. George Custer in what would come to be known as “Custer’s Last Stand.” Six months later, Crazy Horse made a final stand of his own. At Wolf Mountain in Montana, he and his men engaged US Cavalry forces in harsh winter weather, despite being outnumbered, weak, and starving. Though he had been prepared to negotiate peace, something changed his mind—what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

St. Gudula’s Day

St. Gudula (or Gudule) is the patron saint of Brussels, Belgium. According to legend, Satan was so envious of her piety and influence among the people that he often tried to extinguish her lantern as she returned from midnight mass. But as she prayed for help, an angel would re-light the candle. Her relics were moved to Brussels in 978. Since 1047 they have remained in the church of St. Michael, thereafter called the St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral . Her feast day is observed with great solemnity in Brussels, particularly at the cathedral that bears her name. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Carl Ransom Rogers (1902)

An influential American psychologist, Rogers is best known for having developed the technique of nondirective therapy, in which therapists refrain from offering advice or interpretation so as to allow clients to talk freely. By the 1960s, his method had been widely adopted, and Rogers became one of the best-known professionals in his field. His books include 1961’s On Becoming a Person. According to Rogers, what are the characteristics of a fully functioning person living “the good life”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, love, and beauty, is a principal object of worship during the holiday of Diwali. Generally considered the personification of prosperity, she is somewhat analogous to the Greek goddess Aphrodite or her Roman equivalent, Venus. The consort of the god Vishnu, Lakshmi is often depicted as a finely dressed, four-armed woman. The lotus, a symbol of purity, features prominently in such representations. Who is her older sister, the goddess of misfortune? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary