The monarch, with its distinctive orange and black pattern, is considered one the world’s most beautiful butterflies. In North America, thousands of monarchs gather in autumn and migrate southward, sometimes more than 1,800 miles (2,900 km), and return north in spring. Their ability to return to the same spots over several generations has led scientists to research how circadian rhythm and the position of the sun are involved. What is aposematism, and how do monarch butterflies exemplify it? Discuss
Month: November 2022
hodgepodge
Nuremberg Trials Begin (1945)
The Nuremberg Trials, which took place in Germany between 1945 and 1949, were a series of trials prosecuting Nazi officials for their participation in World War II and the Holocaust. The first and most famous of these trials, the Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal, involved 24 of the most important leaders of Nazi Germany, 12 of whom were sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and other offenses. How were the death sentences carried out? Discuss
Emilio Pucci (1914)
Born into an aristocratic Italian family, Pucci earned his doctorate in political science before a chance meeting on a Swiss ski slope changed the course of his career. In 1947, while on a ski holiday, he crossed paths with a Harper’s Bazaar photographer who was impressed with the skiwear Pucci had designed and got him a spread in the magazine. Within years, Pucci had become an internationally renowned fashion designer. How did his doctorate later come into play in his career? Discuss
have other fish to fry
To have more important or more interesting things to do or attend to. Watch the video
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are marine invertebrates with umbrella-shaped bodies of a semi-transparent jellylike substance. Many of them have visible pink or orange internal structures. Jellyfish feed on small animals by paralyzing them with the stinging cells in their tentacles. A jellyfish sting typically causes minor discomfort to a human, but contact with the tentacles of the Portuguese man-of-war or the Australian box jellyfish can be life-threatening. What is the best way to treat a jellyfish sting? Discuss
necropolis
Definition: (noun) A cemetery, especially a large and elaborate one belonging to an ancient city.
Synonyms: cemetery, burial ground, graveyard, memorial park.
Usage: A guardian in a braided cap walked listlessly through the room like a ghost stalking through a necropolis.
Discuss
Christopher Marlowe
Virtue is the fount whence honour springs. Discuss
Abraham Lincoln Delivers Gettysburg Address (1863)
The Gettysburg Address, one of the most quoted speeches in US history, was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four and half months after the famous battle fought there. In about two minutes, Lincoln’s address redefined the American Civil War as not just a struggle for the Union, but as “a new birth of freedom” for the US and its people. Lincoln’s address has drawn comparisons to what ancient speech? Discuss
Indira Gandhi (1917)
India’s first and only female prime minister, Indira Gandhi held the position from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. During her tenure, India fought a successful war against Pakistan and became the dominant power on the subcontinent. However, she became embroiled in political controversy and a fierce ethnic conflict, which led to her assassination in 1984. Her son, Rajiv, succeeded her as prime minister but was himself assassinated by Tamil separatists. Who was Indira’s famous father? Discuss