United Nations Day

The international peacekeeping organization known as the United Nations was formally established on October 24, 1945, in the wake of World War II. Each member nation observes October 24, and in some places the entire week is known as United Nations Week. In the United States, events taking place on this day include parades, international fairs, and dinners featuring foods from different countries. Schools frequently observe United Nations Day by holding folk festivals that teach students the music, songs, and dances of different countries. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Kray Twins (1933)

Partners in crime, twins Reginald and Ronald Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organized crime in London’s East End during the 1950s and 60s. The brothers managed to escape justice for some time, thanks in part to their intimidation of witnesses, political connections, and quasi-celebrity status as nightclub owners. Eventually, however, their luck ran out. In 1969, they were sentenced to life in prison for the murders of George Cornell and Jack McVitie. Why was Reginald eventually freed? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Whipcracking

Whipcracking, producing a cracking sound with the use of a whip, originated with cattle herding and horse riding but has since become an art that crosses the boundaries of sport, hobby, and performance. It is featured in rodeo shows in the US and is a competitive sport in Australia. Rhythmic whipcracking is part of a variety of traditional cultures throughout many parts of Europe, especially Bavaria, where it is a performance art showcased in concerts. What produces a whip’s “crack”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Archaeologists find ‘vampire burial’ site of a child feared capable of rising from the dead

Inside a miniature tomb, in the middle of what used to be a sprawling Roman villa, is the body of a 10-year-old child who died more than 1,500 years ago. The skeleton is on its side, its mouth agape and stuffed with a limestone rock about the size of a … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Creation of the World, According to Archbishop James Ussher (4004 BCE)

For centuries, Christian scholars have tried to deduce the precise date of creation, using Biblical sources to help guide them. One such scholar, 17th-century Irish archbishop James Ussher, devised a system of dates that sets the creation of the world at 4004 BCE. Ussher’s chronology rests upon the beliefs that creation began in autumn—the season that marks the start of the year according to the Jewish lunisolar calendar—near the autumnal equinox and that creation began on what day of the week? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

John Heisman (1869)

Memorialized after his death by the trophy that bears his name, Heisman was an American collegiate football coach and one of the game’s greatest innovators. He was responsible for legalizing the forward pass in 1906, and he originated the center snap and the “hike” count signals of the quarterback in starting play. He coached at several colleges between 1892 and 1927, compiling a record of 185 wins, 68 losses, and 18 ties. What team did he coach to a record 222-0 victory in 1916? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Swing Riots

In 1830, England was the site of a widespread uprising of impoverished and landless agricultural laborers who aimed to stop wage reductions and rid farms of threshing machines, which minimized the need for manual labor. The rioters destroyed barns, workhouses, and over 100 threshers but killed no one. The events were named for Captain Swing, whose name was signed on threatening letters sent to farmers, magistrates, and others. Who was he? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

So many people have had their DNA sequenced that they’ve put other people’s privacy in jeopardy

Everyone’s DNA sequence is unique. But for those who wish to maintain their genetic privacy, it may not be unique enough. A new study argues that more than half of Americans could be identified by name if all you had to start with was a sample of their … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary