Month: April 2022

Muhammad

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad received his first divine revelation at the age of 40. The Qur’an, the sacred book of Islam, records many of the revelations Muhammad received as the final prophet of God. Included among Muhammad’s fundamental teachings are the ideas that there is one God, that people must in all things submit to Him, and that nations have been punished for rejecting God’s prophets. Why are visual depictions of Muhammad generally prohibited in Islam? Discuss

"Red Baron" Shot Down by Allied Fire (1918)

Manfred von Richthofen, the “Red Baron,” was the World War I German aviator who commanded the flying squadron that became known as Richthofen’s Flying Circus. He was the war’s most successful flying ace, shooting down 80 aircraft before being killed in action. In April 1918, he was shot in the chest while dogfighting over France. He managed to land his plane but died soon after. The Red Baron has since become a symbol of dexterity, daring, and victory. Who fired the shot that killed him? Discuss

San Jacinto Day

Fresh from his victory at the Alamo, General Antonio López de Santa Anna of Mexico proceeded eastward until he encountered the Texan army general, Samuel Houston, at San Jacinto, about 22 miles east of the present-day city of Houston. Houston’s 900 soldiers defeated the Mexican force of nearly 1,600, in a battle that lasted only 18 minutes. A legal holiday in Texas, San Jacinto Day is celebrated throughout the state but particularly in San Antonio, where the highpoint of the 10-day San Antonio Fiesta is the huge Battle of Flowers parade winding through the city’s downtown streets. Discuss

Anthony Quinn (1915)

Quinn was a Mexican-American artist, writer, and Oscar-winning actor. He boxed in his youth and studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright before turning to acting. He achieved international stardom in the 1950s and 60s for his ability to portray ethnically diverse characters, most notably Zorba the Greek. He appeared in over 100 films and won Academy Awards for his supporting roles in two, Viva Zapata! and Lust for Life. His role in the latter film lasted just how many minutes? Discuss

Potemkin village

Something that is made to seem very grand, elaborate, and/or prosperous for the purposes of impressing others, but which in reality has no real worth or substance. Taken from a story about Russian minister Grigory Potemkin (1739–1791) who allegedly erected false, painted façades to mimic a thriving, successful village along the Dnieper River in Crimea to impress the visiting Empress Catherine II. Watch the video

Asbestos

Nowadays, the idea of being exposed to asbestos strikes fear in the hearts of most. But just a couple of generations ago, people embraced asbestos-containing materials for their fire-and corrosion-resistant properties. Asbestos—a product obtained from a family of fibrous hydrated silicates—was used in fireproofing, electrical insulation, and various other building materials as well as safety apparel, brake pads, and countless other products. When was it discovered to be a serious health hazard? Discuss