Month: September 2022

World's Oldest Republic Is Born (301)

San Marino, surrounded by Italy, is the world’s smallest republic and likely Europe’s oldest existing state. According to tradition, its founder, Marino—a Christian stonecutter from Dalmatia—took refuge on Mount Titano in the Apennines to escape religious persecution. By the mid-5th century, a community had formed. Its relatively inaccessible location has helped it to maintain its independence with only a few brief interruptions. Which US president was made an honorary citizen of San Marino? Discuss

Cromwell's Day

As a British general, Puritan statesman, and Lord Protector of England from 1653-58, Oliver Cromwell is remembered today more for his actions as a general and a statesman than for his efforts within Puritanism. Each year the Cromwell Association holds a special service near Cromwell’s statue outside the Houses of Parliament on September 3. It was on this day in 1650 that Cromwell won the battle of Dunbar, and it was on the same day a year later that he won a decisive victory at the battle of Worcester against the Scots. It was also the day on which he died. Discuss

Ferdinand Porsche (1875)

Despite having little formal education in engineering. Porsche showed enormous natural aptitude. After working in the automotive industry for some time, the Austrian formed his own firm and began designing vehicles on commission—one of which resulted in the original Volkswagen Beetle. His success in making Hitler’s vision for a “people’s car” a reality led to further commissions, and Porsche went on to design various military vehicles for the Germans. How did this affect him after the war? Discuss

Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt. She rose to power by acting as regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, but soon ordered herself crowned as pharaoh. Thereafter, she was regarded as a king rather than a queen and was often portrayed in pharaonic costume, including a false beard. She attained unprecedented power, and her reign saw the start of construction at Thebes and expanded trade. Why did she almost disappear from Egypt’s archaeological and written records? Discuss

pileus

Definition: (noun) The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a stalked fleshy fungus, such as a mushroom; the cap.

Synonyms: cap.

Usage: The recipe instructs the chef to separate the pileus from the stalk, presumably because the former adds more flavor to the dish.
Discuss

The Great Fire of London Begins (1666)

This massive fire was one of the biggest calamities in London’s history. It destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and countless other buildings over four days, leaving an estimated 70,000 residents homeless in its wake. Though the death toll is traditionally thought to have been relatively low, recent research suggests it may have been higher, since the deaths of poor and middle-class people were not recorded at the time. What is thought to have started the fire? Discuss

Feast of San Estevan

The Feast of San Estevan (St. Stephen) is a harvest dance and annual feast day in the Native American pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. Acoma was established in the 12th century and is the oldest continuously inhabited community in America, though only about 50 people now live there year-round. A mass and procession begin the feast day. The statue of the patron saint is taken from the church to the plaza, where the dances are performed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are 15 or so different dances—Bear, Butterfly, and Rainbow are some of them. Discuss

Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii (1838)

Liliuokalani was the last reigning queen of the Hawaiian Islands. She ascended the throne in 1891 upon the death of her brother, King Kalakaua. Her refusal to recognize the constitutional changes inaugurated in 1887 precipitated a revolt—fostered largely by resident American sugar planters—that led to her dethronement in early 1893 and the establishment of a provisional government. Liliuokalani wrote many songs, including the popular “Aloha Oe,” which means what? Discuss