Soviet Embassy Cipher Clerk Igor Gouzenko Defects to Canada (1945)

Considered by some to be the first major international event of the Cold War, the defection of Soviet cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko radically transformed the way the West regarded and approached Soviet espionage. The authorities at first dismissed Gouzenko’s reports of Stalin’s efforts to steal nuclear secrets and of Soviet spy rings operating in Canada and the US, but he soon convinced them of the truth behind his allegations. The information he revealed helped lead to the apprehension of whom? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Århus Festival

Since 1965 the Danish city of Århus has been the site of a nine-day festival, whose cultural and sporting events run the gamut from opera to fishing competitions. Queen Margrethe II traditionally gives the opening speech, followed by a performance by the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Festival events include jazz, classical, and rock concerts, a cross-country race, public debates, children’s programs, poetry readings, and theatrical productions. The program varies from year to year, but the events are always held in a variety of indoor and outdoor sites throughout the city. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Jesse James (1847)

James was an outlaw who became a legendary figure in American folklore. After the Civil War, he and a number of other former Confederate guerillas banded together to rob banks, trains, and stagecoaches across several states. He was later betrayed by fellow bandit Robert Ford, who shot him to death in 1882 in order to receive a $10,000 reward. Despite James’s reputation as a murderous thief, his exploits led to a number of romanticized legends. What became of Ford? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Escape Velocity

A vital concept in rocket science, escape velocity is the minimum speed a body must achieve in order to escape from the gravitational field of a larger celestial body, such as Earth or the Sun. Escape velocity decreases with altitude and depends on the mass of the larger body and the distance of the smaller body from the larger one’s center. The velocity needed to escape from the Earth at its surface is approximately 7 miles (11.3 km) per second. What is the escape velocity at the Sun’s surface? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Adopting Mediterranean diet in old age can prolong life, study suggests

It’s been touted as the recipe for a healthy life, preventing all manner of ills. Now researchers say a Mediterranean diet still offers benefits in older age and could reduce the risk of death. While somewhat nebulous in specific makeup, the diet is typically said … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

“Crocodile Hunter” Killed When Stingray Barb Pierces His Heart (2006)

Australian wildlife expert and conservationist Steve Irwin shot to fame with his wildlife documentary television series The Crocodile Hunter, earning an international following with his exuberance and oft-repeated catchphrase “Crikey!”. The beloved naturalist was snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, filming a segment for a documentary, when he was fatally pierced in the chest by a poisonous stingray barb. He was just 44 and is survived by his wife and two children. Where is he buried? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Limassol Wine Festival

This event is an annual celebration of the wine of Cyprus, lasting nearly two weeks and held in the Municipal Gardens of Limassol, the center of the wine-making industry. Wineries there compete to create the most original and decorative booths, and every evening pour out from barrels free samples of their wine. People sitting at picnic tables may watch exhibits of traditional wine pressing. There are also musical, theatrical, and dance performances. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary