Gian Francesco Poggio Bracciolini (1380)

An Italian humanist and calligrapher, Poggio Bracciolini is remembered today for two reasons. As a secretary, historian, and copyist, he uncovered many forgotten and neglected Latin manuscripts—including works by Cicero and Lucretius—that might otherwise have been lost to history. He is also famous for his extraordinarily beautiful and legible handwriting, which was later developed into roman type, the predecessor of almost all non-italic fonts. Whose handwriting was the basis for italic fonts? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Lycanthropy

The ancient belief in lycanthropy, the magical ability of a human to assume the form and characteristics of a wolf, still exists in many parts of the world. In the Middle Ages, the church went so far as to condemn lycanthropy as a form of sorcery and often ruthlessly punished suspected offenders. One of the most widely held superstitions relating to lycanthropy is the belief in the werewolf. According to folk beliefs, what are the various methods for becoming a werewolf? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Opens on Broadway (1949)

Considered Miller’s masterpiece, Death of a Salesman won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award for Best Play, and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Best Play award in its first year. An unconventional tragedy, it tells the story of the last day of Willy Loman, a failed salesman betrayed by his own hollow values. The play follows Loman’s stream of consciousness. As he talks to people from his past, those from his present wonder if he is unraveling. What famous actors have played Loman? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Namahage Sedo Festival

A namahage is a man dressed as a demon, wearing a grotesque mask and cape made of straw. Namahages traditionally appear on New Year’s Eve at residents’ homes to warn children not to be lazy. In 1964 the city of Oga adapted a community event that occurs in people’s homes into a public festival that welcomes tourists. The Shinzan Shrine is the site for the festivities; in the dark, tens of people disguised as namahage parade down from the mountains and head to the shrine for music and dancing. Today a bonfire and rice cakes still await the arrival of the namahage. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Leontyne Price (1927)

When she was a young girl in Mississippi, Price was given a toy piano by her parents. Her passion for music was further inflamed by a Marian Anderson performance she saw as a child. She later enrolled in Juilliard and, with her remarkable vocal range and power, went on to become one of the Metropolitan Opera’s most popular stars and the first internationally recognized African-American opera singer. What unusual fee did the soprano reportedly request for a 1981 appearance with Luciano Pavarotti? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Whirlyball

A team sport that combines elements of basketball, jai alai, lacrosse, and bumper cars, whirlyball was first developed in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the early 1960s. Whirlyball players ride in small, crank-steered electric vehicles known as “Whirlybugs” and score points for their team by shooting a Wiffle Ball at the opposing team’s target. Further complicating matters is the fact that players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands and must pass, catch, and shoot using what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary