Definition: (noun) A deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture.
Synonyms: ruse.
Usage: What could the bewildered scouts do, masters as they were of every war-like artifice save this one, but trot helplessly after him, exposing themselves fatally to view.
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Month: September 2022
Manson Family Member Attempts Assassination of US President (1975)
In 1967, depressed teen runaway Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme met cult leader Charles Manson, and she soon became a devoted member of his “Family.” In the early 1970s, she was arrested in conjunction with several murders committed by the “Family” but avoided charges. Several years later she was arrested again, this time for aiming a gun at US President Gerald Ford at an appearance in California in what was believed to be an assassination attempt. What did Fromme claim she wanted to discuss with Ford? Discuss
Louis XIV of France (1638)
The “Sun King,” Louis XIV, ruled France for 72 years, longer than any other major European monarch. A strong believer in dictatorship by divine right, he viewed himself as God’s representative on Earth and became the archetype of the absolute monarch, reigning over a highly centralized state. He waged several wars, built one of Europe’s most elaborate palaces at Versailles, and was a great patron of the arts. What is the meaning of “L’état, c’est moi,” a remark long attributed to Louis? Discuss
blow the coop
To leave or escape (something). Watch the video
Tivoli Gardens
A source of inspiration for Walt Disney, Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark. Opened in 1843, Tivoli is the second-oldest amusement park in the world, surpassed only by another Danish park in a neighboring town. Tivoli’s attractions include roller coasters, a merry-go-round, and a concert hall, along with exotically styled buildings and lush flower gardens. How did Tivoli’s founder, Georg Carstensen, persuade King Christian VIII to allow him to create the park? Discuss
luminary
Definition: (noun) A person who is an inspiration to others.
Synonyms: notable, guiding light, leading light, notability.
Usage: He is considered a luminary in his field, due to the groundbreaking research he has published.
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The Little Rock School Crisis (1957)
On this day in 1957, Arkansas Governor Orville Faubus ordered the National Guard to prevent nine African-American students from entering Central High School in Little Rock. His actions defied the US Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which called for the racial desegregation of public schools. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower responded by sending federal troops to enforce integration and protect the students. What did Faubus do the next year to disrupt integration? Discuss
François-René de Chateaubriand (1768)
Chateaubriand was a French political leader, diplomat, and writer and is considered the “father of French romanticism.” His René, a tragic love story with autobiographical touches, exemplifies the characteristically evocative language of romantic fiction. The Genius of Christianity won him the favor of Napoleon, who rewarded him with political assignments. However, Chateaubriand soon became disillusioned and aligned himself with the anti-Bonapartists. Why did he shift his stance? Discuss
blow (one's) stack
To become very angry, often quickly. Watch the video
Esperanto
Esperanto is an artificial language that was introduced in 1887 by Dr. L.L. Zamenhof, a Polish linguist. His goal was to ease communication between speakers of different languages. Its words are derived from roots commonly found in European languages and are spelled as pronounced. Grammar is simple and regular. Although no nation has officially adopted Esperanto, it has more than one million speakers and has been taught in schools throughout the world. What is the origin of the name “Esperanto”? Discuss