Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University is named for philanthropist Johns Hopkins. Poorly educated and aware of Baltimore’s lack of medical facilities, Hopkins donated $7 million for the foundation of Johns Hopkins University and Hospital. The university was modeled after European universities and emphasized graduate research rather than collegiate instruction—two groundbreaking and successful decisions that influenced many other US universities. How did Hopkins get his unusual first name? Discuss
Month: February 2023
George Washington (1732)
Washington is often called the “Father of his Country” because of the central role he played in the founding of the United States. As commander of the Continental Army, he led colonial forces to victory over the British and served as the new nation’s first president. He then relinquished that power and retired after two terms, thereby setting a key precedent for republican democracy. What other precedent of the US presidency did Washington set? Discuss
brood over
To worry anxiously or be despondent about something or someone, especially at great length and in isolation. Watch the video
Cricket
Cricket is a sport played by two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped grass field, in the center of which is a flat strip of ground 66 feet (20.1 m) long, called a “pitch.” At each end of the pitch stands a wicket—or arrangement of wooden stumps—and a batsman whose goal is to protect it from the opposing bowler’s ball and, if he can, exchange places with his teammate at the other end of the pitch, thereby scoring a run. What are possible explanations for the origin of the name “cricket”? Discuss
evince
The Communist Manifesto Is Published (1848)
Commissioned by the Communist League and written by theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the Communist Manifesto is one of the most influential political tracts in history. It calls on the proletariat to overthrow the capitalists, abolish private property, and take over the means of production. It also advocates for a progressive income tax system and universal free public education. After predicting an eventual classless society, the document ends with what famous statement? Discuss
Feralia
This ancient Roman festival marked the culmination of a week-long celebration in honor of the manes, spirits of the dead. It began on February 13 with the Parentalia, a private celebration in honor of deceased family members, and ended on February 21 with a public celebration known as the Feralia. This was the day on which offerings and gifts were placed on the graves of the deceased and the anniversary of the funeral feast was celebrated. The Feralia was similar to the later Christian holiday, All Souls’ Day. Discuss
Robert Mugabe (1924)
Mugabe has served as the head of the government of Zimbabwe since 1980, after rising to prominence in the 1970s as leader of a Marxist-inspired guerrilla war against the government of Rhodesia. Though he remains a hero to some for his role in the independence movement, his administration now faces accusations of corruption, suppression of political opposition, mishandling of land reform, and human rights abuses. What 2005 movie was banned by his office amid claims that it is CIA propaganda? Discuss
broken record
A person or thing that repeats itself over and over again. Likened to vinyl records that when severely scratched (i.e., “broken”) can loop over the same recorded segment endlessly. Watch the video
Night Vision Goggles
Night vision devices (NVDs) are optical instruments that allow for vision in the dark by detecting visible and infrared energy and providing a visible image. Although they are available to civilians, goggles and other NVDs are typically used by law enforcement agencies and the military. Introduced in the 20th century, NVDs have been used widely since the Vietnam War. They also played a key role in Operation Neptune Spear—the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. What was the “snooperscope”? Discuss