Father Divine

George Baker was a controversial African-American spiritual leader. He began preaching to poor blacks in the rural American south, moved north, and established the Peace Mission Movement in New York City in 1919. Calling himself Father Divine and claiming to be God, he attracted a large following in New York and Philadelphia. He preached communal living and racial equality and prohibited tobacco, liquor, and cosmetics. Which infamous cult leader claimed to be the reincarnation of Father Divine? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Croatia Statehood Day

Croatians mark this national holiday to commemorate the country’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. This holiday is distinct from the country’s Independence Day on October 8, when the implementation of the declaration went into effect. Offices, businesses, and schools are closed in Croatia on Statehood Day. Wreaths are laid and candles lit at sites of fallen soldiers, including the graves of national heroes. Past celebrations have included a ceremonial line-up of military troops in the central square of the country’s capital, Zagreb, and speeches by the country’s leaders. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Discovery Expedition

In 1901, the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Society organized a British expedition to Antarctica aboard the Discovery. The voyage was led by Robert Falcon Scott and its purpose was to allow for the study and exploration of the continent, which was then largely untouched. The expedition yielded several discoveries, such as an emperor penguin colony at Cape Crozier and King Edward VII Land, but it has been asserted that its main failure was its inability to master what technique? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

San Juan Pueblo Feast Day

San Juan Pueblo Feast Day is a day to honor St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the San Juan Pueblo, near EspaƱola, New Mexico. The San Juan feast day observation combines Roman Catholic ritual with traditional Indian ceremonies. It begins with a mass, and is followed by an assortment of dances, which usually include Buffalo, Comanche, and Green Corn (harvest) dances. Men beat drums and chant as the dancers, arrayed in long lines and wearing body paint and elaborate costumes with feathers and beads, move slowly and rhythmically to the beat. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Planetariums

A planetarium is a building that houses an optical device, also called a planetarium, that projects images of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena onto a domed ceiling. The first modern planetarium was constructed in 1924 for the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. The “space race” of the 1950s and 60s boosted global interest in planetariums, and by the end of the 20th century, there were more than 100 major planetariums worldwide. What device was the forerunner of the planetarium? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

St. John’s Eve (Denmark)

Known in Denmark as Sankt Hans Aften, St. John‘s Eve occurs near the longest day of the year and therefore is an occasion for national rejoicing. Huge bonfires light up the night sky for miles around. Along the coast, fires are built on the beach or shore. People go out in their boats to watch them burn and to sing romantic songs. Sometimes there are speeches, singing games, dances, and fireworks as well. Midsummer Eve is also a popular time for Danes to leave their year-round homes and go to vacation cottages on the coast. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary