Month: February 2020

Lechuguilla Cave

Long thought to be an insignificant, smallish cave near the famous Carlsbad Caverns, Lechuguilla Cave is now recognized as the deepest limestone cave in the US and the world’s fifth longest cave. It was only in 1986 that cavers digging through rubble at the floor of the cave discovered its expansive network of more than 120 miles (193 km) of passages. The cave is famous for its rare geological beauty, featuring gypsum chandeliers, hydromagnesite balloons, helictites, soda straws, and what else? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts

The Al Bustan International Festival of Beirut, Lebanon, annually presents a program of music dance, marionettes, and theater. While chamber music dominates the program, the festival also includes works of opera, orchestral music, and choral music. Each year, the festival offers more than 30 performances over the five-week festival period in February and March. During the festival, participating artists offer master classes and workshops at the National Conservatoire in Beirut and other institutions throughout Lebanon. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ethelred the Unready

Ethelred was about 10 years old when his half-brother, the King of England, was murdered—possibly by Ethelred’s advisors. He took the throne in 978 CE and reigned for nearly 40 tumultuous years. Danes began attacking the coast of England while he was still a teen. He failed to mount an organized defense against them, and his later massacre of a Danish settlement provoked more attacks. Though often translated as “unready,” Ethelred’s epithet, “Unraed,” may have in fact been a pun meaning what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Fornacalia

The Fornacalia, or Feast of Ovens, was designed to benefit the ovens (fornices) that parched grain and was held to placate the goddess Fornix, who presided over them. It lasted a week, during which each household made an offering of far, flour of the oldest kind of Italian wheat, served in the form of cakes. According to Ovid, those who were uncertain which curia, or tribal divisions of Rome, they belonged to ended up observing this festival on February 17 instead of on the proper day. At this time a general offering of cakes was made by the whole community. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Kirishitan

The Kirishitan were Japanese converts to Catholicism in the 16th and 17th centuries. Missionary activity began in Japan soon after Portuguese shipping arrived in 1543. By the end of the century, the Japanese Christian community had grown to about 300,000—the largest non-European Christian community in the world. In 1614, Christianity was banned. Despite the threat of execution, some Kirishitan maintained their religion in secret. What tactic did the government use to expose suspected Christians? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Washington’s Birthday Celebration (Laredo, Texas)

This celebration in honor of George Washington has been held since 1898 by Laredo, Texas, and its sister city on the other side of the Mexican border, Nuevo Laredo. The two Laredos (los dos Laredos in Spanish) are linked by history and by three bridges across the Rio Grande. Both cities also celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day in September. Washington’s birthday events include dances, fireworks, mariachi music, a fun run, a jalapeño-eating contest, and parades with lavishly decorated floats. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary