Month: December 2018

Florence Griffith Joyner, AKA FloJo (1959)

“FloJo” was a US sprinter whose incredible speed and unique fashion sense left an indelible mark on the running world. She first turned heads at the 1984 Olympics, where her silver-medal performance was nearly overshadowed by her long, painted nails and flashy racing suits. By 1988’s Games, however, there was no denying her skill. She set one world record during the Olympic trials and another at the Games, where she also took three golds and a silver. Who is her similarly talented sister-in-law? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Narwhal

Found in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, the narwhal is small whale known for the single, tightly spiraled tusk—up to 9 ft (2.7 m) long—that protrudes from the upper jaw of males as well as some females of the species. The tusk is an overgrown, nerve-rich incisor tooth and may be used as a sense organ or to attract mates. Now hunted by native peoples for its meat, the narwhal was formerly killed for its tusk, which was believed to have magical properties and was sold for centuries as what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Tragedy at Sea: MV Doña Paz Passenger Ferry Sinks (1987)

The passenger ferry MV Doña Paz was traveling along the Tablas Strait in the Philippines when it collided with the MT Vector, an oil tanker carrying 8,800 barrels of petroleum products. The cargo ignited, causing a fire that spread onto the Doña Paz. Survivors had to jump ship, and both vessels quickly sank in shark-infested waters. The accident claimed over 4,000 lives, as the Doña Paz was grossly overcrowded. How many passengers was it supposed to hold? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Sir Robert Gordon Menzies (1894)

A successful lawyer, Menzies gave up his practice to pursue a career in politics and eventually became Australia’s longest continuously serving prime minister. He started out in the House of Representatives in 1934 and served as attorney general until 1939, when he became leader of the United Australia party and prime minister. In 1941, his party lost the election, but in 1949 he again became prime minister and this time remained in office until his retirement in 1966, on what national holiday? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Funk

Characterized by a syncopated rhythm and a heavy, repetitive bass line, funk is a musical style that originated in the US in the 1960s when African-American musicians blended soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues into a danceable new form of music. Following the popularity of Motown artists like The Temptations, The Four Tops, and The Supremes in the 60s, funk emerged with artists such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and George Clinton. More recently, funk has been fused with what genres? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Operation Vijay: India Annexes Daman and Diu (1961)

Spanning less than 50 square miles (130 sq km) on the coast of India, Daman and Diu became Portuguese colonies in the 16th century, along with the port of Goa. After India gained independence from the UK in 1947, its government began working toward the return of all Indian colonies held by Portugal. Portugal, however, violently suppressed peaceful Indian activists opposed to its continued rule. After Indian forces invaded, how many days did it take for them to annex Daman and Diu? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Carter Godwin Woodson (1875)

Born into a poor African-American family, Woodson had little formal schooling until he was in his late teens. Yet he went on to earn a PhD and become a prominent historian, author, and journalist. He devoted his life to promoting African-American education and history, founding the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and writing, editing, and publishing books and periodicals on African-American life, history, and culture. What nationwide annual observance did he establish? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Helicopter Parents

“Helicopter parent” is a pejorative expression applied to parents who pay extremely close attention to their children, hovering closely overhead like helicopters. In Scandinavia, the phenomenon is known as “curling” parenthood—describing parents who sweep away all obstacles from their children’s paths, just as athletes in the sport of curling sweep the ice in front of their stones. What device often blamed for the rise of helicopter parents has been called “the world’s longest umbilical cord”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary