Georgi Markov began his career as a writer in his native Bulgaria. After defecting to the West in 1969, he continued his criticisms of the Bulgarian regime. On September 7, 1978, Markov was waiting at a London bus stop when he felt a sting on his leg and turned to see a man pick up an umbrella. Markov’s death days later was attributed to the tiny, ricin-laced pellet that had been fired into his leg—likely from the umbrella. The “Umbrella Assassin” was never caught. Who is the prime suspect? Discuss
Month: September 2022
Brazil Independence Day
A declaration of independence was made by Pedro di Alcântara (1798-1834) on this day in 1822. Brazil had been a colony of Portugal since the 16th century. Alcântara, better known as Pedro I, became the first emperor of Brazil in 1823 and ruled until 1831. Independence Day is a public holiday in Brazil, and there are celebrations in Brasília, the capital, with parades of military personnel and floats decorated with flowers. Discuss
Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533)
Queen Elizabeth, England’s last Tudor monarch, came to the throne during a turbulent period in the nation’s history. Although she has been described as vain, miserly, and fickle, she was remarkably successful as queen. During her reign, England pursued a policy of expansionism in commerce and geographical exploration, defeating the Spanish Armada and becoming a major world power. Literature and the arts flourished during the period as well. To whom was the Queen married? Discuss
blow up (one's) phone
To call someone repeatedly and/or send someone a lot of text messages. Watch the video
Madame de Pompadour
Madame de Pompadour became King Louis XV’s mistress in 1745 and remained his confidante until her death. Of middle-class origin, she owed her success mainly to her intelligence and capabilities. She was a devoted patron of the arts and was a tastemaker in matters of art and culture. However, she was less astute in the political arena, as exemplified by her encouragement of the French alliance with Austria that involved her country in the disastrous Seven Years’ War. How did she die? Discuss
agendum
Definition: (noun) Something to be done, especially an item on a program or list.
Synonyms: order of business.
Usage: It was getting late, so the members of the board decided to leave the last agendum for the next meeting.
Discuss
The Munich Massacre (1972)
During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, Palestinian terrorists from the group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village and took a number of members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. Two of the athletes were killed during the initial assault, and nine others lost their lives in the course of a failed rescue attempt, during which a German police officer and five of the eight kidnappers were killed as well. What went wrong during the rescue attempt at Fürstenfeldbruck airbase? Discuss
Marquis de Lafayette (1757)
Lafayette was a French aristocrat most famous for his participation in the American and French revolutions. He fought with distinction in the American Revolution, becoming a close friend of George Washington. Upon returning to France, “the Hero of Two Worlds” turned his attentions to his home country, helping draft the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and pushing for a constitutional monarchy. Lafayette is one of only seven people to have been accorded what honor by the US? Discuss
two a penny
Very common, ordinary, or widespread. Watch the video
Netiquette
Had early 20th-century etiquette expert Emily Post had access to the Internet, she certainly would have had some choice words for today’s Web users—and they would not have included profanity. The idea that cussing on the Net is poor form is just one part of “netiquette”—the Internet’s informal code of manners. Typing ENTIRELY IN UPPER CASE is also generally frowned upon, as it is considered akin to shouting. A good rule of thumb is “Think before you post.” What is the Eternal September? Discuss