Month: June 2023

Einstein Introduces Special Relativity (1905)

In physics, the theory of special relativity generalizes Galileo’s principle of relativity—that all uniform motion is relative and that there is no absolute state of rest. Though physicists Hendrik Lorentz and Henri Poincaré had made contributions to the theory already, Einstein provided a radically new interpretation in his 1905 paper “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies.” In it, Einstein redefines the concepts of space and time and abolishes the concept of “aether,” which is what? Discuss

Lena Horne (1917)

An iconic American singer and actress, Horne began dancing at Harlem’s Cotton Club as a teen and, with the help of her stunning voice and good looks, was soon singing with popular bands. She went on to record and perform extensively and appeared in a number of musicals and films, including Stormy Weather, whose title song became her signature. Her one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, was hailed as her masterpiece. Why was Horne blacklisted in the 1950s? Discuss

Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is an island located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. While named a ‘key’, it is not geologically part of the Florida Keys, but a barrier island composed of sand eroded from the Appalachian Mountains and carried there. When Hurricane Andrew stripped part of the island in 1992, archeologists found extensive evidence of a large Tequesta community that had lived there up to 2,000 years ago. What is the island’s history with regard to slavery? Discuss

Atlantis Docks with Mir for the First Time (1995)

The first in a series of seven docking missions the US Space Shuttle Atlantis flew to the Russian space station Mir, the STS-71 mission was a notable episode in spaceflight history, as it marked the 100th manned space launch by the US and the first ever on-orbit crew change. The five-day docking of the two crafts also marked the creation of the largest spacecraft ever placed into orbit at that time. When linked, Atlantis and Mir had a total mass of how many tonnes? Discuss

William James Mayo (1861)

While working as a surgeon with his physician father and brother—William Worrall Mayo and Charles Mayo—in the hospital his father had helped establish in Rochester, Minnesota, William James Mayo joined the two in co-founding what would become the Mayo Clinic, a world-renowned nonprofit medical practice. William James became especially known for his innovations in stomach, gall bladder, and cancer operations. According to one story, what did William James help his father do when he was just 16? Discuss

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. Situated on the Lake of Geneva and divided by the Rhône River, it became a focal point of the Reformation when John Calvin arrived there in 1536, after the city expelled its bishop. The city’s intellectual life reached its zenith in the 18th century, when the stern theocracy of Calvin had mellowed into patrician rule and Voltaire and Rousseau were among the city’s residents. What important international organizations are headquartered there? Discuss