Month: March 2019

The Absent-Minded Professor

The absent-minded professor is a stock character in popular fiction, usually portrayed as an intelligent but bumbling academic whose focus on scientific matters causes him or her to lose track of the everyday world. Isaac Newton, Adam Smith, and Archimedes were all considered absent-minded professors by their contemporaries. What philosopher is said to have fallen down a well because he had his eyes focused on the heavens instead of the ground in front of him while walking at night? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Andrew Jackson’s Birthday

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), the seventh president of the United States (1829-37), became a national hero during the War of 1812 when he successfully fought the British at New Orleans. The anniversary of his birth is a special observance in Tennessee, and the president of the United States usually brings or sends a wreath to be placed on Jackson’s grave in the garden at his home, near Nashville. Other tributes paid to Jackson during this week include radio speeches and newspaper editorials, school essay contests, and Jackson Day dinners sponsored by the Democratic party. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Kremlin

A kreml, in Russian, is a citadel or walled city center. Several Russian cities have such structures, but the most famous one is in Moscow and is known simply as “the Kremlin.” It was the residence Russia’s czars until 1712, and in 1918, it became the Soviet Union’s political and administrative center. Triangular and surrounded by crenellated walls, it occupies 90 acres (36.4 hectares) in the historic core of Moscow, a site that has been continuously inhabited since what century BCE? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Philip II of Macedon

Philip II was king of Macedonia from 359 to 336 BCE. He was originally appointed regent for his nephew but seized the throne for himself, ruthlessly suppressing all opposition. After reorganizing his army and training it in the effective Theban phalanx formation, he launched an ambitious program of expansion by conquest and diplomacy. In 338 BCE, Philip defeated Athens and Thebes, becoming leader of all of Greece and creating a league of states united against Persia. Who was Philip’s famous son? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ember Days

The Ember Days occur four times a year, at the beginning of each of the natural seasons. Traditionally they are marked by three days of fasting and abstinence—the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following, respectively, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, Exaltation of the Cross, and St. Lucy’s Day. In 1966, the Roman Catholic Church replaced them with days of prayer for various needs and withdrew the obligation to fast. The Anglican Communion still observes them. In the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, since the sixth century, priests have been ordained on an Ember Saturday. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Gran Colombia

Gran Columbia was a South American republic from 1819 to 1830. It encompassed much of northern South America and southern Central America, including parts of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, which became its successor states after its dissolution. With its capital at Bogotá, it was created during the war for independence from Spain by revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, who served as its first president. Its existence was marked by a struggle between supporters of what two types of government? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary