Though Anderson was recognized as one of the finest contraltos of her time, racism in the US limited her performing career. Her most electrifying moment came in 1939, when she was refused permission to sing in Washington’s Constitution Hall. Outraged, then-first lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial instead. The concert was broadcast to great acclaim. Anderson continued to break down racial barriers, becoming the first black singer to perform where in 1955? Discuss
Month: February 2022
go off the handle
To become uncontrollably angry; to lose control of one’s temper. Watch the video
Global Biomass
Biomass is the total amount of living organisms in a given area, expressed in terms of living weight per unit area. It can include microorganisms, plants, and animals. An amazing amount of biomass is created by the approximately 10 quintillion insects living at any one time. In fact, the almost one million known insect species comprise 300 times the total weight of Earth’s human population. What other single class of organisms makes up a staggering 25% of the global biomass? Discuss
blandishment
organism
cultivar – An organism resulting from cultivation, from the combination of “cultivated variety.” More…
scientific name – The recognized Latin name given to an organism, consisting of a genus and species, according to a taxonomy; also called the binomial name. More…
soma – The body of an organism. More…
macronutrient – One required in relatively large amounts by organisms, e.g. carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. More…
Barings Bank Collapse (1995)
A cautionary tale for financial institutions the world over, the collapse of Barings Bank, a centuries-old British bank, resulted from the activities of a single, unscrupulous employee. The man in question, derivatives broker Nick Leeson, made unauthorized, unhedged futures transactions on Nikkei, racking up £827 million ($1.3 billion) in losses in no time. He hid these losses by reporting them as gains and got away with it due to a lack of oversight. What brought the whole scheme crashing down? Discuss
Kuwait Liberation Day
After Iraqi President Saddam Hussein‘s troops invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, several countries in the United Nations formed a military coalition—including troops and equipment from the US, France, and Britain—to force them out. Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991, and, for five weeks, US and British air forces relentlessly bombed Baghdad. This was followed by four days of a ground war, which resulted in Hussein’s troops leaving Kuwait. February 26 is a national holiday in Kuwait celebrating the end of Iraq’s military presence in Kuwait. Discuss
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846)
Cody’s father passed away when he was just a boy, leaving him to support the family. He worked as a wagoner, trapper, and prospector before joining the Pony Express at 14. After serving in the American Civil War, he became a buffalo hunter—hence the nickname “Buffalo Bill.” Writers chronicled his frontier exploits, making him a folk hero. He capitalized on his fame with “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show,” which toured the US and Europe for decades. How many buffalo did Bill claim to have killed? Discuss
carry (someone) off their feet
To completely overwhelm someone with enthusiasm, ardor, or passion. Watch the video
The Mamluks
The Mamluks were members of a warrior caste that ruled Egypt from about 1250 to 1517. Islamic rulers created the caste by collecting non-Muslim slave boys, grooming them as cavalry soldiers, and converting them to Islam during training. The Mamluks initially served the Ayyubid sultans but grew powerful enough to challenge them and claim the sultanate. Though the Ottomans crushed the Mamluks and took Cairo in 1517, the word “mamluk” lives on in various cultures today. What meanings does it have? Discuss