Month: October 2019

Ladislaus I of Hungary

Now regarded by Hungarians as the model of chivalry and valor, Ladislaus was king of Hungary from 1077 to 1095. An able king, he expanded his country, suppressed paganism, modified the criminal code, and issued laws protecting private property. In 1091, he conquered Croatia at the invitation of his sister, Croatia’s widowed queen. He supported the pope against the Holy Roman Emperor but refused to swear fealty to the papacy. Still, he was canonized in 1198. What miracles are attributed to him? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Great Disappointment

After serving in the War of 1812, farmer William Miller underwent a religious conversion and convinced himself—and, eventually, thousands of followers—that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent. He became a licensed Baptist preacher in 1833. The Millerite movement peaked in 1843 and declined rapidly after “the Great Disappointment”—the failure of the Second Coming to occur during the period predicted by Miller. His followers, however, organized what religious sect that still exists today? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Wexford Festival Opera

The Wexford Festival Opera is best known for its staging of obscure or seldom-heard operas from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Held in a small seaport community in the southeastern corner of Ireland since 1951, the festival has based its success on its choice of rare operas and relatively unknown singers, many of whom have later become quite famous. Three operas are staged during the two-week festival in Wexford’s Georgian-style Theatre Royal, built in 1832. The festival also features choral and symphonic concerts and a fireworks display. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Postcards

Postcards are a way to send message-bearing cards through the mail without an envelope. The earliest known picture postcard was sent in London to the writer Theodore Hook in 1840. Hook most likely created the hand-painted card and sent it to himself as a practical joke on the postal service, since the image on the card is a caricature of post office workers. Today, stamp collectors and deltiologists—collectors of postcards—distinguish between postcards and postal cards. What is the difference? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Skanda Sashti

According to Hindu mythology, Shiva cast his seed into fire, where it was afterwards received by the river goddess Ganga (the Ganges River), who “gave birth” to Skanda. He was born for the purpose of destroying Taraka, and Skanda Sashti celebrates Taraka’s defeat. The focus of the celebration is the six holy places in southern India associated with Skanda, especially in the state of Tamil Nadu. Hindus gather at each of these temples to sing hymns, chant psalms, and dramatize scenes from the god’s life. They believe that observing this festival ensures success, prosperity, happiness, and peace. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Somersett’s Case

The Abolition Act of 1833 may have abolished slavery in the British Empire, but the first step toward abolition was taken 60 years earlier in 1772, in a famous judgment known as Somersett’s Case. In it, the Court of King’s Bench held that without a law permitting slavery in England, courts could not uphold a slaveholder’s claim to a slave. Although the decision did not state that slavery was illegal, it set a precedent that altered the course of slavery in England and abroad. Who was Somersett? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary