Month: September 2020

Papua New Guinea Independence Day

This national holiday celebrates Papua New Guinea‘s independence on this day in 1975. In the late 19th century, Germany laid claim to the northeastern section of the island, while Britain ruled the southeastern section. Britain left its section to Australia in 1902, which eventually administered the whole area until independence, though it is still part of the British Commonwealth. In 2000, Papua New Guinea celebrated its silver (25th) anniversary of independence with a flag-raising ceremony, a parade, and musical and dance performances in the capital city, Port Moresby. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Alfred Jewel

The Alfred Jewel is a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon ornament made during the reign of King Alfred the Great. Discovered in 1693, the teardrop-shaped ornament consists of a colorful enamel image of a man covered with a clear, polished piece of crystal and set in gold. Its purpose is unknown, but it was probably attached to a rod at one time. Words around the edge read “AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN”—meaning “Alfred ordered me made”—yet the man portrayed in the center of the object is not Alfred. Who is it? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Nicaragua Independence Day

Nicaragua shares its Independence Day with four other Central American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras— all of which declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. There is a parade in the capital city of Managua, and the president and other public officials give speeches. Nicaraguans also celebrate Independence Day by attending cockfights and bullfights. But unlike bullfights in other countries, the Nicaraguan matador does not kill the bull. Instead, he tries to mount it and ride it rodeo-style. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Albertus Magnus

Magnus was a 13th-century Dominican bishop regarded as one of the greatest German philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages. He taught Thomas Aquinas, was a major Aristotelian scholar and commentator, and wrote prolifically on myriad subjects. Extraordinarily well-read, he possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of a vast array of scientific and philosophical disciplines. Various legends portray him as a magician or alchemist. His refusal to ride horses earned him what affectionate nickname? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Rorschach Inkblot Test

Invented by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach, the Rorschach test requires subjects to interpret a series of 10 standard inkblots. Their responses are then analyzed as an indication of personality traits, preoccupations, and conflicts. Though the test is still widely used, its objectivity and reliability are disputed, in part because the images themselves and the most common interpretations of them have been made available to the public. What is the first image most often said to look like? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Avening Pig Face Day

A number of explanations have been offered for the custom of eating pig’s face sandwiches on the Sunday nearest Holy Cross Day (September 14) in the Cotswold village of Avening, England. One involves Matilda of Flanders (d. 1083), the wife of William the Conqueror. She built a church there that was completed on September 14, and the Queen is said to have held a boar’s head dedication feast. Today there is an evening anniversary service, after which the villagers participate in an 11th-century banquet headed by Queen Matilda and other historic characters in period costume. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Alexander Chavchavadze

Born in 1786, Chavchavadze was a Georgian poet, military leader, and aristocrat who was an immensely influential figure in Georgian literature. Despite his military service to the Russian empire, Chavchavadze was a Georgian nationalist who wrote nostalgic poems about his homeland. He supported an 1832 plot aimed at organizing an uprising against the Russian authority in Georgia. When it failed, he was exiled, but he was later pardoned. What unfortunate accident brought about his untimely demise? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary