Month: November 2022

Gojira Opens in Japan (1954)

The Japanese film Gojira introduced the world to Godzilla, the enormous, radioactive lizard monster who wreaks havoc on Tokyo. Released just nine years after atomic bombs leveled Japanese cities, Gojira was wildly popular. It inspired other movies and TV shows, as well as the creation of other monsters, like Mothra. When the film was released in the US, Japanese-to-English transliteration turned “Gojira” into “Godzilla.” Why was it heavily edited before its release stateside? Discuss

Bunka-no-Hi

Bunka-no-Hi is a Japanese national holiday on which medals are awarded by the government to those who have made special contributions in the fields of arts and sciences. Winners are not always Japanese—the American Apollo 11 astronauts are among past honorees. This is also the anniversary of the adoption of Japan’s current constitution in 1946. The day was formerly celebrated as the birthday of Emperor Meiji, whose reign was known as the age of bummei-kaika—”civilization and enlightenment.” Today, this holiday serves to promote the love of freedom, peace, and cultural development. Discuss

Aurangzeb (1618)

Aurangzeb was emperor of the Mughal Empire of India from 1658 to 1707. Though he brought the empire to its greatest heights, he also sowed the seeds of discontent that would ultimately be its undoing. During his early reign, he proved to be a capable though ruthless Muslim monarch of a mixed Hindu-Muslim empire. Later, however, his devout religious side came to dominate, and he mercilessly oppressed non-Muslims. Whom did Aurangzeb kill and imprison in order to gain the throne in the first place? Discuss

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are small, hard masses of minerals and organic matter that form in the kidneys. Small stones may be eliminated with the normal passage of urine, but larger stones can obstruct the urinary system, causing severe pain and infection. Because most kidney stones are composed of calcium salts, it was thought that a diet high in calcium encouraged their development. However, there is evidence suggesting that the opposite holds true. What can you do to reduce your risk for kidney stones? Discuss

Bartholomew I Becomes Patriarch of Constantinople (1991)

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople serves as the Archbishop of Constantinople and as spiritual leader and chief spokesperson for the Eastern Orthodox Church. The current Patriarch, Bartholomew I, has been particularly active internationally, working to rebuild the Orthodox churches of the former Eastern Bloc following the fall of Communism and continuing reconciliation dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church. His reputation as an environmentalist has earned him what nicknames? Discuss

All Souls' Day

It was St. Odilo, the abbot of Cluny in France, who in the 10th century proposed that the day after All Saints’ Day be set aside in honor of the departed—particularly those whose souls were in purgatory. Today, the souls of all the faithful departed are commemorated. In many Catholic countries, people attend churches and visit family graves on this day to honor their ancestors. In Mexico, it is a national holiday called Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead). Orthodox Christians commemorate the dead on the second Saturday before Lent begins and on the day before Pentecost. Discuss

Marie Antoinette (1755)

Marie Antoinette was the wife of King Louis XVI of France. Their marriage was designed to ally France with its longtime enemy, Austria. She was initially popular, but her devotion to Austrian interests and her reputation for heedless extravagance hastened the public’s disillusionment with the monarchy and helped to provoke the French Revolution. She was executed by guillotine in 1793, as was her husband. What oft-repeated though unverified quote is attributed to the vilified queen? Discuss