Month: February 2018

H. L. Hunley Becomes First Submarine to Sink an Enemy Warship (1864)

The US Civil War-era submarine Hunley required an eight-man crew—seven to power the propeller with a hand-crank and one to steer. Within months of its launch, the Confederate sub had sunk and been salvaged twice, taking the lives of five crewmen the first time and the entire crew the second. Manned with a new crew, Hunley became the first submarine to sink a ship in battle, yet the achievement was marred when the sub itself sank, killing all aboard yet again. When was it recovered? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Holetown Festival

The Holetown Festival, which takes place in the historic town of the same name in Barbados, marks the approximate date of English settlement and has been an annual event since 1977. The opening celebrations are held at the Holetown Monument, which commemorates the settlers’ landing. There are fashion shows, beauty contests, exhibitions, an antique car parade, and a carnival. Along with music concerts showcasing authentic Caribbean music and dancing, there are traditional hymns, folksongs, and a music festival at the historic St. James Church. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Isabelle Eberhardt (1877)

As a Swiss explorer traveling in North Africa, Eberhardt often dressed as a man to move more freely through Arab society. Intensely independent, she took the side of Algerians fighting against colonial French rule. She converted to Islam, was initiated into a Sufi brotherhood, and married an Algerian soldier. She wrote about her travels in books and newspapers. She survived a murder attempt—in which her arm was badly injured by a saber—only to die at the age of 27 in what unlikely fashion? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Hiroo Onoda

When Lubang Island in the Philippines was reclaimed by the Allies at the end of World War II, Japanese army officer Hiroo Onoda hid in the dense jungle and refused to surrender. He remained there for 29 years, dismissing all attempts to convince him of the war’s end as ruses. Later found by a Japanese student, Onoda refused to surrender unless given the order by his superior officer, who was then flown to Lubang by the Japanese government to do so. What happened then? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Researchers who made praying mantises wear glasses discover a new type of vision

Praying mantises do not perceive the world as you and I do. For starters, they’re not very brainy — they’re insects. A human brain has 85 billion neurons; insects such as mantises have fewer than a million. But mantises, despite their neuronal drought … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Altmark Incident (1940)

While passing through neutral Norwegian waters during WWII, the German supply vessel Altmark was boarded by Norwegian inspectors. They were told the craft was merely a commercial ship, but it was in fact being used to transport 299 British prisoners of war. The captives tried to make their presence known by banging on the hull, but winches were run to drown them out. The Royal Navy, however, pursued the ship and mounted a rescue. What now-famous phrase alerted the men to their liberation? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

The Vietnamese New Year, Tet, is an abbreviation for Tet Nguyen Dan, meaning “first day.” This is the most important festival of the year, signifying both the beginning of the year and of spring. At the start of the festival, the Spirit of the Hearth goes to the abode of the Emperor of Jade to report on family members. At midnight the New Year and the return of the Spirit of the Hearth are welcomed with firecrackers, gongs, and drums. A favorite food of the festival is banh chung, made from sticky rice, yellow beans, pig fat, and spices wrapped in leaves. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary