Month: October 2022

Commercial Concorde Service Suspended (2003)

The Concorde, which began commercial operation in 1976, was the only supersonic passenger jet to provide long-standing service to the public. It was built through a partnership between Britain and France and became a source of national pride among their citizens. The Concorde could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours, but the aircraft was retired in 2003 due to falling demand, rising maintenance costs, and safety issues. What caused the first and only fatal Concorde crash in 2000? Discuss

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo (1891)

Trujillo was president of the Dominican Republic from 1930–38 and 1942–52, but from 1930 onward, even during the periods when he was not officially in office, he retained absolute, dictatorial control over the country. Though he introduced a degree of economic modernization, he was an autocratic and ruthless leader. He stripped his people of their civil and political liberties and pursued a racist policy of anti-Haitianism. What role did the CIA purportedly play in Trujillo’s 1961 assassination? Discuss

Veni Vidi Vici

Before Julius Caesar was made dictator for life, he engaged in a civil war with his rival Pompey. Caesar started the war by crossing the Rubicon River into Italy, reportedly uttering the words Iacta alea est—”the die is cast.” Pompey fled and was eventually killed after Caesar pursued him to Egypt. From Egypt, Caesar went to Syria and Pontus, where in 47 BCE he defeated Pharnaces II with such ease that he reported his victory with the words Veni, vidi, vici—meaning what? Discuss

Peyo Introduces The Smurfs (1958)

The Smurfs, or Les Schtroumpfs in French, are a fictional race of forest-dwelling creatures that stand just “three apples high” and have blue skin. The Belgian cartoonist Peyo introduced Smurfs to the world, but English speakers perhaps know them best from the Hanna-Barbera Productions animated television series. The Smurf franchise has spawned movies, television shows, figurines, and countless other types of merchandise. How did Peyo come up with the name for his famous creatures? Discuss

Pelé (1940)

In 1999, Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee. Over the course of his 21-year career from 1956 to 1977, he scored 1,281 goals, captured every scoring record in Brazil, and led his national team to three World Cup victories. After his superb first World Cup appearance in 1958, Brazilian officials feared that their star player might be poached by a European club and did what prevent this? Discuss