Louis XII of France (1462)

King of France from 1498 to 1515, Louis XII succeeded his cousin Charles VIII. Called the “Father of the People” by his subjects, Louis maintained his popularity by ruling with moderation. Despite early victories, he was unsuccessful in asserting French claims in Italy after he met resistance from Pope Julius II’s “Holy League.” Though his failures in Italy did not tarnish his image in France, they were the subject of a commentary in a famous work by what Italian political theorist of the time? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Tapirs

Found in the jungle and forest regions of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia, tapirs are large, nocturnal, herbivorous mammals with short, prehensile snouts. Though tapirs are somewhat piglike in appearance, they are not related to pigs. Their closest relatives are, in fact, odd-toed ungulates like horses and rhinoceroses. Tapirs that have access to a water source are known to spend a good deal of time swimming and even submerge underwater to feed and to allow fish to do what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

“Ich bin ein Berliner” (1963)

In 1963, US President John F. Kennedy traveled to West Berlin to show support for those living behind the Berlin Wall, hemmed in by Soviet-controlled East Germany. Considered a key moment in the Cold War, Kennedy’s speech boosted morale for West Germans, who feared Communist occupation. Kennedy was apparently coached on the pronunciation of the famous line “Ich bin ein Berliner”—”I am a Berliner”—just before taking the stage. Why has it been reported that he in fact said “I am a jelly doughnut”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Kiel Week

Kiel Week is an international sailing regatta in Kiel, Germany, in the last week of June, at which the world’s leading yachters compete. Craft of all sorts—sail, motor, and muscle-powered—race on the waters of the Kiel Fjord. Kiel Week began in 1882 with 20 yachts; today there are well over 1,000 yachts competing in three classes of races—international, Olympic, and offshore regattas—as well as more than 1,000 events ranging from talks by international political leaders to art exhibits, theater, and music. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon (1866)

An enthusiastic amateur Egyptologist, Carnarvon was an English aristocrat who funded several excavations in Egypt. After pursuits in Thebes, he joined forces with English Egyptologist Howard Carter to search for Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. In 1922, the two opened the young Pharaoh’s crypt, discovering treasures unsurpassed in the history of archaeology. Carnarvon’s death a year after the discovery became linked to the legendary “Mummy’s Curse.” What really killed him? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Simurgh

Simurgh is the modern Persian name for a mythical, benevolent flying creature found in all periods of Greater Iranian art and literature as well as in the iconography of medieval Armenia and Byzantium. The simurgh is depicted as a female, winged creature with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion. It is said to be large enough to carry off an elephant or a whale. According to Iranian legends, the bird is so old that it has seen the destruction of the world how many times? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary