barathrum – A bottomless pit or hell. More…
fire and brimstone – Eternal punishment in hell (from Genesis 19:24 and Revelation 19:20). More…
pandemonium – Literally means abode of all demons (or hell), from Greek pan-, “all,” and daimon, “demon(s).” More…
hell – The Indo-European root meant “covered or concealed,” as hell is supposedly hidden in the dark regions near the Earth’s center. More…
Korean Air Flight 902 was a civilian flight attacked by Soviet fighter jets after it violated Soviet airspace and failed to communicate with interceptors. One rocket caused heavy damage to part of the left wing and punctured the fuselage, causing rapid decompression and killing two passengers. After rapidly descending, the plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a nearby frozen lake. What happened when another Korean Air flight accidentally penetrated Soviet airspace in 1983? Discuss
French was the leading turn-of-the-century American sculptor, known for his elegant academic and historical work. After his first large piece, The Minute Man, was unveiled in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1875, he received many important commissions. His most famous sculpture, executed some four decades later, is the 19-foot-high, seated marble figure of Abraham Lincoln that is the centerpiece of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. What iconic prize medal did French also design? Discuss
A film that is entertaining to watch but is generally not of a very high quality or rich in emotional or intellectual depth. Watch the video
Cryptography concerns the securing of information, often during communication, by translating messages into cipher or code. Ciphering has always been considered vital for diplomatic and military secrecy—the Bible is replete with examples of ciphering, and many figures throughout history have written in ciphers, including Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Mary Queen of Scots, and Louis XIV. What legal issues and controversies surround cryptography methods in the 21st century? Discuss
abdicate – Implies a giving up of sovereign power or the evasion of responsibility (as a parent). More…
half blood – Relationship through only one parent. More…
in loco parentis – Latin for “in the place of a parent.” More…
patrial – Means having the right to live in the UK through the British birth of a parent or grandparent. More…
Kelly was an Oscar-winning American actress who appeared in many films, including Dial M for Murder and Rear Window. In 1956, she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco and became Her Serene Highness Princess Grace, an event that marked her retirement from acting. The couple had three children, one of whom, Albert II, is Monaco’s reigning Sovereign Prince. Kelly died in a car accident in 1982. Why did Frank Sinatra reportedly choose to skip his former costar’s wedding? Discuss
Revolutionary struggle against Spanish rule began in Venezuela in 1810. On July 5, 1811, a group of citizens in Caracas became the first in South America to proclaim a formal declaration of independence from Spain. Forces led by Simón Bolívar assured independence in 1821. April 19 is a separate national holiday, known as Declaration of Independence Day, while July 5 is celebrated as Independence Day. Discuss
“Lawnchair Larry” was an American adventurer who built a homemade aircraft out of a patio chair and dozens of helium-filled weather balloons and lifted off from his girlfriend’s Los Angeles backyard in July 1982. He quickly shot up to over 15,000 ft (4,572 m) and then drifted toward a nearby airport, where passing pilots reported him to the control tower. When he was ready to return to solid ground, he began shooting out the balloons with a pellet gun, but then he dropped it. What happened next? Discuss