James Bond (1900)

An expert in Caribbean birds and a distinguished ornithologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Bond wrote the definitive Birds of the West Indies in 1936. The book came to the attention of avid bird-watcher Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica. He contacted Bond and asked if he could use the ornithologist’s name for the hero of his first novel, Casino Royale. Bond agreed. In what film can the fictional Bond be seen reading the real-life Bond’s book? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Microscope

A key tool in laboratories and biology classrooms, the microscope produces enlarged images of small objects. Its inventor is not conclusively known, so it is credited to two people—Zacharias Janssen around 1590 and Galileo around 1610. Probably the best known type is the compound microscope, which consists of an objective lens and an eyepiece and is widely used in the examination of plant and animal cells and bacteria. Who helped popularize the microscope by using it to discover red blood cells? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Mysterious Cosmic String Tugs on Center of Milky Way—but Astronomers Can’t Explain Why

A mysterious cosmic twine cuts through the heart of the Milky Way. The string has baffled astronomers since its discovery in 2016. Now, the highest-ever resolution image of the strange strand could finally tell astronomers what is behind our galaxy’s … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Former Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega Surrenders to US (1990)

The reign of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega had been rife with turmoil, corruption, and diplomatic tension with the US, and his decision to void the results of the 1989 Panamanian presidential election, which had been won by a US-backed candidate, brought matters to a head. That December, US President George H.W. Bush sent troops to depose him. Noriega initially went into hiding, but he surrendered days later and was taken to Miami to face drug trafficking charges. Where had he been hiding? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ball-Catching Festival

This 500-year-old tradition, said to have its roots in the legend of a dragon god (Ryujin) offering two balls to the Empress Jingu (170-269), takes place each year in Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka City, Japan. Two teams of men wearing only loincloths (fundoshi) compete for a ball that weighs about 18 pounds; these teams consist of the Land Team, made up of farmers who work the fields, and the Sea team, composed of fishermen. A Shinto priest awaits the winner to hand him the ball—the size of the harvest or of the catch during the New Year is determined by which team wins. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Anna May Wong (1905)

One of the first Chinese-American movie stars, Wong played her first leading role, at age 17, in The Toll of the Sea. At that time, most Asian character roles were played by white actors in “yellowface.” As a result, Wong was frequently passed over for leading roles due to the anti-miscegenation laws that prevented her from sharing an on-screen kiss with a white actor. Nevertheless, her acting skills and impeccable fashion sense made her a star. How was she received in China? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Angkor

Angkor was the site of several Khmer Empire capitals in what is now northwest Cambodia from the 9th to the 15th century CE. Home to a number of architectural masterpieces, the complex contains about 1,000 temples. At one time, the surrounding settlement was roughly the size of the modern city of Los Angeles, CA, making it the largest pre-industrial complex of its kind. Its principal temple, Angkor Wat, is the largest religious structure in the world. What is its layout believed to represent? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Eat your vegetables: Nutrients in leafy greens may help prevent dementia

Nutrients found in green leafy vegetables just might make your mind 11 years younger, according to a new study. Dementia, a decline in memory and cognitive function, is one of the most feared aspects of aging. But those who reported eating their vegetables … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary