Month: October 2018

Sir Walter Raleigh Is Executed for Treason (1618)

Raleigh was an English explorer, courtier, and favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, whom he famously—according to the story—protected from a puddle by laying down his cloak. After King James I took the throne, however, Raleigh was accused of plotting against the king, was arrested, and lost many of his offices and monopolies. He was also found guilty, on somewhat insufficient evidence, of conspiring with Spain against England. Raleigh was not actually executed, though, until 1618, after what happened? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Marie of Edinburgh, Queen of Romania (1875)

No ordinary queen, Marie took an active role in Romania’s wartime activities, beginning with helping bring the country into the Allied camp in World War I and ending with her representation of Romanian interests in territory negotiations at the close of the war. In the interim, the “Soldier Queen” also contributed to the war effort by volunteering as a nurse with the Red Cross and publishing a book whose proceeds went to the same cause. Marie later became the first royal adherent of what faith? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Dango

A dango is a Japanese dumpling made from rice flour. Three or four of these dumplings are often served on a skewer accompanied with green tea. Savory, sweet, or both, they are flavored with a number of different ingredients, including eggs, green tea, sesame, soy sauce, and the especially popular anko—a red bean paste. The dish is so popular that it even inspired a Japanese proverb—hana yori dango, or “dumplings rather than flowers.” What is the message of this proverb? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Maxentius Becomes Emperor of Rome (306 CE)

Shortly after Roman co-emperors Diocletian and Maximian retired, Maximian’s successor, Constantius, died. The Romans, discontented with the shift of power away from Rome, supported Maximian’s son, Maxentius, who claimed the throne. His father came out of retirement to help him when Severus and Galerius claimed the throne and tried to overthrow him. Severus was compelled to surrender, and Galerius withdrew. Maxentius and his father fell out, however, and Maxentius was defeated by whom in 312 CE? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ochi Day

Ochi Day is a national holiday in Greece, commemorating the day during World War II when Greeks said “ochi” (“no”) to an attempted incursion ordered by Italy’s fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini. On October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece called on Gen. Ioannis Metaxas, the prime minister, to demand that Italian troops be allowed to occupy areas in Greece. Metaxas curtly responded, “Ochi.” The Italians invaded, but were routed by the Greeks. Ochi Day is observed in Greece with military and school parades; it is also a public holiday celebrated in Cyprus with parades. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Auguste Escoffier (1846)

Escoffier was a legendary French chef credited with inventing peach Melba and other classic dishes. He began his career in his uncle’s kitchen, and by the time he retired some 60 years later, he had directed the kitchens of several grand European hotels and earned himself a reputation as the “Emperor of Chefs.” In 1903, he published Le Guide Culinaire, which contains 5,000 recipes and is still used today as both a cookbook and cooking textbook. How did peach Melba get its name? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary