Tiananmen Square Anniversary

Each year thousands of people in Hong Kong, China, gather on June 4 to commemorate the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre with a candlelight vigil. On that day in 1989, Chinese government tanks rolled into Beijing‘s Tiananman Square, killing hundreds of demonstrators calling for democratic reforms in China, and injuring 10,000 more. Since 1997, the Chinese government has discouraged the Hong Kong commemorations and pressured foreign news correspondents not to cover the yearly event. In the year 2002 about 45,000 people attended the vigil. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Hanna-Barbera

American animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera both began working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1937. The two soon created the cartoon characters Tom, a cat, and Jerry, a mouse, and from 1940 to 1957, they produced more than 200 cartoons, seven of which won Academy Awards. In 1957, they left MGM and set up their own production company, Hanna-Barbera, concentrating on cartoon series produced specifically for television, including The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, and what others? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vat Savitri Vrata

Savitri-Vrata is observed by Hindu women in honor of the legendary princess Savitri. She loved her husband, Satyavan, so much that she refused to leave him when he died, eventually persuading Yama, King of Death, to give him back. Women whose husbands are alive spend the day fasting and praying, anointing their husbands’ foreheads with sandalwood paste, and showering them with gifts. Women whose husbands have died beg to be delivered from widowhood in a future existence. The vrata, or vow, is a ritual practice observed by Hindu women to obtain their wish. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Fourth Crusade

Launched by Pope Innocent III in 1202, the Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, the crusaders were persuaded to help Alexius IV Angelus help his father regain the Byzantine throne, in exchange for money and aid on their mission. Realizing the promise would not be kept, the crusaders ruthlessly sacked the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, for three days. Did they ever make it to Palestine? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Moscow Mathematical Papyrus

Also called the Golenischev Mathematical Papyrus, after the Russian Egyptologist who purchased it in Thebes during the late 19th century, the Moscow Mathematical Papyrus is one of the oldest known Egyptian mathematical papyri. The 18-foot- (5.5-meter-) long papyrus likely dates to the 13th dynasty of Egypt, which began around 1773 BCE and ended after 1650 BCE. It contains 25 mathematical problems and solutions, many of which feature a variable indicating the strength of what alcoholic beverage? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Billy Bowlegs Festival

The oldest and one of the biggest festivals in northwest Florida is held in Fort Walton Beach to commemorate the pirate William Augustus Bowles, also known as Capt. Billy Bowlegs. Activities begin with fireworks on Friday night. The following day, the pirate captain and his red-kerchiefed “krewe” members storm the city from the pirate ship Blackhawk. As events move on there are musical concerts, a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, numerous food vendors, and sports events that include a midnight run. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary