Snake Wine

Originating in Vietnam and found throughout Southeast Asia, snake wine is an alcoholic beverage bottled with a whole venomous snake inside. One variety is made by placing a large snake into a glass jar of rice wine, often with smaller snakes, and allowing it to steep. Consumed after the poisonous venom has been rendered inactive by the alcohol, snake wine is said to have medicinal properties and is billed as a cure for a range of ailments. Why is its import banned in many countries? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Mutiny on the HMS Bounty (1789)

The most famous mutiny in history, the setting adrift of Bounty captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal crew members in a longboat, has been much debated. Opponents of the captain claim his tyranny drove the crew to mutiny, but Bligh blamed their betrayal on their newfound love of Tahiti—where they had just spent five months—and its women. The captain and some of those with him survived the ordeal at sea, reaching Timor after a remarkable two-month voyage. What became of the mutineers? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Butter and Egg Days

This is a promotional event in Petaluma, California, that recalls the historic days when Petaluma was the “World’s Egg Basket,” producing millions of eggs that were shipped all over the world. The first Butter and Egg Days was a modest affair in 1983; it now draws about 25,000 for a parade with floats, bands, bagpipers, and children dressed as such things as butter pats and fried eggs. There are also street fairs, an antiques show, an egg toss, a butter-churning contest, and the presentation of the Good Egg award to a Petaluma booster. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Yi Sun-Sin (1545)

Considered a Korean national hero, Yi was a naval commander who repelled the Japanese invasion of Korea in the late 16th century. He is said to have been undefeated in any naval battle in which he was a commander. Part of his success in combat was due to his innovative “turtle ship,” which was covered with iron spikes and plates to prevent enemies from boarding. The ship’s bow featured a dragon head, through which a cannon could be fired. Why was Yi relieved of command in 1597? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Four Stages of Cruelty

The Four Stages of Cruelty is a series of four engravings published in 1751 by William Hogarth, an English artist credited with pioneering Western sequential art. Each print depicts a stage in the life of the fictional Tom Nero. Beginning with the torture of a dog as a child, Nero progresses to beating his horse, and then to robbery and murder. In the final scene, which is grisly even by modern standards, Nero’s body is dissected after his execution. Why did Hogarth create the series? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Disgruntled Engineer Jams HBO’s Satellite Signal (1986)

In the early morning hours of April 27, 1986, a Florida electronics store owner moonlighting as a satellite uplink technician decided to protest what he considered unfair programming subscription rates for satellite dish owners. Overriding the signal of the cable network HBO, he transmitted a message to be seen by anyone watching HBO at the time. “Captain Midnight,” as he called himself, was eventually fined $5,000 for the stunt. What did he elect to say in those few minutes of airtime? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary