Colette (1873)

In her highly eventful life, French novelist Colette freely flouted convention and repeatedly scandalized the public, but by her later years, she had become a national icon. Her numerous novels are marked by sensitive observations—particularly of women—and an intimate style. Among her works are The Vagabond, a fictionalized account of her time as a music-hall performer, and Gigi, a comedy about a girl reared to be courtesan. In 1907, she nearly caused a riot by doing what on stage? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

DEET

DEET is the abbreviation of N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, a chemical compound commonly used as an insect repellent. DEET was developed by the US Army following its experience with jungle warfare during World War II and entered civilian use in 1957. Intended to be applied to skin or clothing to protect against tick and mosquito bites, it is believed to work by blocking the receptors insects use to locate hosts. What potential detrimental health effects have been linked to its use? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Song Dynasty General Yue Fei Is Executed (1142)

One of China’s greatest generals and patriotic heroes, Yue helped establish a southern foothold for the Song dynasty while preventing the advance of the Juchen, who had taken the former Song capital in the north. However, his attempt to recapture the lost territory was opposed by one of the emperor’s counselors, who earned a reputation as a traitor for relinquishing the north to the Juchen and having Yue executed. According to legend, what phrase did Yue’s mother tattoo across his back? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Gasparilla Pirate Festival

A 164-foot reproduction pirate ship sails up Florida’s Tampa Bay, and about 500 costumed pirates lower themselves over the side and “capture” the city of Tampa, raising the pirate flag over city hall. Thus begins the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, one of the nation’s largest and best-attended celebrations. The mock invasion is followed by a three-hour victory parade featuring members of a men’s club known as Ye Mystic Krewe. The festival is named for José Gaspar, an 18th-century Spanish pirate who terrorized the Florida coast from around 1783 until his death in 1821. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Soong Ch’ing-ling (1893)

Born to an influential Chinese family, Soong was educated in the US. She returned to China, became prominent in revolutionary politics, and married Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary 26 years her senior now known as the father of modern China. She and her sisters—along with their husbands, including Chiang Kai-shek—became some of the most significant political figures in the Communist government, with Soong becoming vice chair after Sun’s death. What magazine, still in publication, did she found? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Kanchipuram

Known as the “golden city,” Kanchipuram is located in India’s state of Tamil Nadu. Considered an important and sacred Hindu city, it is home to over 100 Hindu temples. Several Dravidian style temples, built between the 3rd and 8th centuries, when the city was the capital of the Pallava empire and a center of Brahmanical and Buddhist culture, still survive there. Today, the city is famous for its high-quality silk saris. According to legend, how did the city get its name? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary