The Principality of Sealand is a purported micronation located on Roughs Tower, a World War II-era British sea fort located in the North Sea six miles (10 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England. Since 1966, the installation has been occupied by the associates and family of Paddy Roy Bates, a former British Army major and pirate radio broadcaster who claimed it as a sovereign and independent state in 1967. What is the international community’s position on the fort’s status as a sovereign nation? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
McAuliffe, a high school history teacher, was among the seven crew members killed when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded soon after its launch in 1986. She had been selected to be the first civilian in space from a field of more than 11,000 applicants to NASA’s Teacher in Space program, and she was slated to teach two lessons during the flight. In 2004, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. What happened to the teacher chosen as McAuliffe’s backup? 
Situated approximately 1,312 ft (400 m) below sea level between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is the lowest lake in the world. It is also one of its saltiest water bodies and supports no life. However, it has become a major center for health research and treatment because of the water’s mineral content, the low levels of allergens in the atmosphere there, the reduced ultraviolet radiation, and the higher atmospheric pressure. What skin disease may be helped by a soak in the Dead Sea? 
A months-long drought, elevated summer temperatures, and certain logging practices set the stage for what would become one of the deadliest fires in Minnesota’s history. On September 1, 1894, several small fires in the forests of Pine County merged and grew into a firestorm that completely consumed six towns, including Hinckley, Mission Creek, and Brook Park, within hours. At least 418, and as many as 800, people were killed in the inferno. How did some residents manage to escape? 
In the 11th century, 
Perhaps best known for his name, Humperdinck was a German composer considered by some to be Richard Wagner’s chosen successor. Though he produced his first composition at age seven, Humperdinck’s parents urged him to study architecture. Instead, he began working with Wagner and winning awards for his compositions. Humperdinck’s most famous work is his first opera, Hänsel und Gretel, popular for its fairy-tale subject and folk-inspired music. For whom did he compose its first four songs? 
Widely used in the production of rubber goods, natural latex can cause allergic reactions with symptoms ranging from minor skin irritation to asthma and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Generally, this allergy affects people sensitized by repeated exposure to latex. Healthcare workers who frequently use latex gloves and other latex-containing medical supplies are especially at risk. What prestigious hospital decided to replace all of its latex surgical gloves with synthetic alternatives?