Ayatollah Khomeini Calls for the Execution of Author Salman Rushdie (1989)

When British-Indian author Salman Rushdie’s fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, was published in 1988, it received much critical acclaim, but it was also the subject of intense controversy within the Muslim community due to its allegedly blasphemous content. Particularly outraged was Iran’s political and religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini, who issued a call for Rushdie’s execution. What misunderstanding about the book’s title, as translated into Arabic, may have contributed to the crisis? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vinegrower’s Day

This pre-harvest vineyard festival in Bulgaria involves pruning the vines and sprinkling them with wine. Ritual songs and dances are performed in hopes of a plentiful grape harvest. In some areas, a “Vine King” is crowned with a wreath of twigs from the vineyards. Everyone treats him with great respect, for it is believed that fertility depends on the King’s happiness. Visits to well-known Bulgarian vineyards are organized, the vines are pruned, and guests are given an opportunity to sample the local wine and foods. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Anna Howard Shaw (1847)

Some feminists observe Shaw’s birthday in place of Valentine’s Day, celebrating her legacy as a leading American suffragist, doctor, and lecturer. During World War I, she coordinated women’s activities in the war effort, becoming the first woman to earn the Distinguished Service Medal. After becoming a close confidante of Susan B. Anthony, Shaw worked as one of the most effective speakers of the suffrage movement. She was also a minister who became the first woman to be ordained by what church? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Brú na Bóinne

Brú na Bóinne is a complex of Neolithic chamber tombs, standing stones, henges, and prehistoric enclosures located at a wide bend in the River Boyne in Ireland. Among its most well-known sections are the passage graves of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, which possess significant collections of megalithic art. A World Heritage site, it was also used for Iron Age burials and was eventually settled by the Normans in the Middle Ages. How old are some of the tombs? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Nashville Sit-Ins Begin (1960)

Just before it became first major Southern US city to begin integrating public spaces, Nashville was the scene of a months-long peaceful protest at the lunch counters of the city’s department stores. Scores of African-American college students calmly occupied seats at the counters while employees refused to serve them. Some protesters were assaulted or jailed. That May, the counters were desegregated. The protesters’ code of conduct became a model for other demonstrations. What did it say? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Shrove Tuesday

There are a number of names in the West for the last day before the long fast of Lent. The French call it Mardi Gras (meaning “Fat Tuesday”), because it was traditionally a time to use up all the milk, butter, and eggs left in the kitchen. These ingredients often went into pancakes, which is why the English call it Pancake Day. The name “Shrove Tuesday” is derived from the Christian custom of confessing sins and being “shriven” (i.e., absolved) just before Lent. No matter what its name, the day before Ash Wednesday has long been a time for excessive eating and merrymaking. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Sarojini Naidu (1879)

Known as “the Nightingale of India,” Naidu was an Indian child prodigy who began writing poetry as a young girl. She went on to pursue politics and became the first Indian woman to serve as president of the Indian National Congress and the first female governor of Uttar Pradesh. She enjoyed a close relationship with Mohandas Gandhi, and her participation in passive disobedience campaigns landed her in jail on multiple occasions. How is Naidu’s birthday celebrated in India? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Fat Tax

A fat tax, also known as “Twinkie tax,” “junk food tax,” and “snack tax,” is a tax on calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. The concept was pioneered in the early 1980s by Kelly D. Brownell, PhD, who proposed that revenue from such a tax be used to subsidize more healthful foods and fund nutrition campaigns. Proponents believe that the increased cost of junk food might also deter buyers and thereby curb consumption. Where have fat taxes been introduced? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary