Definition: (noun) A journalist who writes editorials.
Synonyms: columnist.
Usage: He grew so weary of armchair-general editorialists that he stopped reading the Op-Ed pages altogether and picked up a book on political theory.
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Month: May 2023
Victory Day (1945)
Still celebrated in most of the Soviet successor states, Victory Day marks Nazi Germany’s capitulation to the USSR in WWII. Signed on the evening of May 8, 1945—May 9 in Moscow’s time zone—the surrender followed Germany’s initial capitulation to the Allies. When the first surrender document was being signed, only one Soviet representative was present, and he had no instructions from Moscow nor any means of immediate contact with Soviet leaders. Was he punished or lauded for deciding to sign it? Discuss
John Brown (1800)
Brown was an American abolitionist who advocated and practiced armed insurrection as a means to abolish all slavery. After murdering five proslavery settlers in Kansas in 1856, Brown led an unsuccessful raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in 1859. He was convicted of treason and hanged. His raid made him a martyr to northern abolitionists and increased the sectional animosities that led to the American Civil War. What future general captured Brown at Harpers Ferry? Discuss
get-rich-quick
(used as a modifier before a noun) Of or characterized by generating a large sum of money quickly and (typically) without requiring much effort or energy. Watch the video
Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle is situated at the center of the Danish capital, Copenhagen. It was built in 1606 in the Dutch Renaissance style and went through several expansions to arrive at its present condition in 1624. It was used by Danish regents as a royal residence until around 1710 and was opened to the public in 1838. Today, it is popular with tourists who flock to the castle to view the Danish Crown Regalia. How many people visit the Rosenborg Castle Garden every year? Discuss
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The Hard Hat Riot (1970)
Four days after four students were shot and killed while protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University in Ohio, several hundred anti-war protesters gathered near New York City Hall to hold a memorial for the shooting victims and protest the war. At around noon, 200 construction workers attacked the approximately 1,000 protesters—most of whom were high school and college students—resulting in dozens of injuries and six arrests. Who organized the construction workers in the counter-protest? Discuss
Miguel Hidalgo (1753)
A national hero in Mexico, where the state of Hidalgo bears his name, Miguel Hidalgo was a priest and revolutionary leader who is regarded as the founder of the Mexican War of Independence movement. Influenced by the French Revolution, he launched a revolt against Spain in the early 19th century. Hidalgo led the rebels to several early victories but was captured, defrocked, and executed by firing squad along with other revolutionary leaders in 1811. What was done with their remains? Discuss
Is the glass half empty or half full?
A question to determine whether a given situation could be perceived optimistically or pessimistically. Watch the video
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment that gives most plants their color and enables them to carry out photosynthesis, the process through which plants get energy from light. Chlorophyll absorbs light in the red and blue-violet portions of the visible spectrum; the green portion is not absorbed and, reflected, gives chlorophyll its characteristic green color. Only one animal has been found to use the chlorophyll it has eaten to perform photosynthesis for itself. What is it? Discuss