In 1955, Esther “Eppie” Friedman began doling out advice to the public in the name of famed columnist Ann Landers. Ruth Crowley had originated the role, and when she died, Friedman took over the column, gaining a following of some 90 million readers with her witty-but-tough style. Though Friedman sometimes drew criticism for taking on controversial topics, such as abortion and prostitution, she received wide support after discussing her divorce. What was her connection to her rival “Dear Abby”? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Taking their name from the Turkish yeniçeri—meaning “new troop”—Janissaries were elite members of the Ottoman Empire’s army from the late 14th to the early 19th century. Originally formed using of prisoners of war, the corps later “recruited” members through a “blood tax” known as devsirme, which required Balkan vassals to hand over Christian youths to be converted to Islam and placed in the service of the sultan. What early firearms were commonly used by the Janissaries? 
Bordered by Iran and connected to the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz was guarded by Iran during its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Ships were routinely inspected to keep war goods from reaching Iraq. As the USS Vincennes crossed the strait on the morning of July 3, 1988, it exchanged fire with Iranian gunboats, pursuing them into Iranian waters. Not long after, it fired on Iran Air Flight 655, destroying the civilian airliner and killing everyone aboard. What mistakes led to the tragedy? 
Louis XI ruled from 1461 to 1483 and is deemed France’s first modern king for establishing a powerful monarchy and moving away from the feudal system of the Middle Ages. His web of political machinations earned him the nickname “Spider King” and destroyed his relationship with his father, King Charles VII. In 1440, at age 17, he tried to depose Charles in the uprising known as the Praguerie. Though Charles forgave his son, he exiled Louis six years later. What had Louis done this time? 
In Hinduism, Maya is recognized as a powerful force that creates the cosmic illusion that the phenomenal world is real. Seeing through the illusion is seen as a path to liberating the soul. Originally, the word was used to refer to the wizardry with which a god can make humans believe in an illusion. Maya is also the name of the Hindu goddess of illusion, and because of this association, it is a common girl’s name in India. What other religion regards the physical world as illusory and unreal? 
Originally a statesman’s villa, Kyoto’s Temple of the Golden Pavilion has an exterior of gold leaf and is situated on a pond in a lush Japanese garden. The building narrowly avoided destruction many times in its long history, but in 1950, a young Buddhist monk set fire to it during a suicide attempt. He survived and was sentenced to seven years in prison. In 1955, the temple was rebuilt true to its original appearance. That same year, the arsonist was released from prison early for what reason?