Month: August 2019

Coronation

Coronation is the ceremony of crowning and anointing a sovereign on his or her accession to the throne. In Europe, the addition of Christian rites to coronations helped alter the concept of kingship and endow rulers with a degree of priestly and possibly even divine character. In 1804, Napoleon I brought Pope Pius VII to Paris to crown him in Notre Dame cathedral, but, in a famous episode, he seized the crown from the pope’s hands and crowned himself. What other monarchs have crowned themselves? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Deipnosophistae

Written in the 3rd-century by the Greek writer Athenaeus, the Deipnosophistae professes to be an account of three banquets held at the house of a scholar and wealthy patron of the arts. The work is invaluable for providing information about the Hellenistic leisure class of the Roman Empire, particularly in terms of food and sexuality. In the course of conversation, the banqueters quote about 700 authors, many of them otherwise unrecorded, and discuss the story behind what famous statue? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Aviation Day

National Aviation Day honors the birthday of the American inventor and early manufacturer of airplanes, Orville Wright (1871-1948), as well as the progress that has been made in manned flight since the Wright Brothers made their historic 120-foot flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. Parachute jumping, glider demonstrations, films, airplane rides, and displays of new and antique aircraft are popular events on this day, and open house celebrations are often held at local airports. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Football Hooliganism

Soccer, or association football, as it known throughout most of the world, is the most popular international team sport, followed by vast, emotional audiences and associated at times with outbreaks of violence and mass hooliganism, notably by British supporters. Violence at football matches dates back centuries, with political, religious, and territorial rivalries often contributing to feuds between fans of opposing teams. What incident occurred during England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Mount Hagen Cultural Show

This gathering in Papua New Guinea, known as a sing-sing, provides an opportunity for outsiders to experience the ceremonial drumming, dancing, and other displays of tribal culture of hundreds of Western Highland clans. Performers wear their traditional tribal garb, often with body paint and an elaborate headdress made of feathers. The annual Mount Hagen show, staged more for tourists than for the locals, includes a competition that encourages decorative costumes and wild dancing to the accompaniment of nonstop drumming. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Sacraments

A sacrament is a religious symbol or rite that is believed to transfer spiritual power to the participant. Today, sacraments are primarily associated with Christianity, which holds that they consist of visible signs of invisible grace and derive from practices instituted by Jesus. Christian churches, however, are divided with regard to the number and operation of sacraments. In most Protestant churches, only baptism and communion are recognized. What are the 7 sacraments of Roman Catholicism? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary