Month: June 2023

Basiliscus

Shortly after seizing control of the Eastern Roman Empire, Flavius Basiliscus alienated his supporters by promoting Miaphysitism—a doctrine which holds that in the person of Jesus there was but a single nature that merged both the human and the divine rather than a dual nature. Consequently, his rule lasted just 20 months. Earlier in his career, Basiliscus led the disastrous invasion of Vandal Africa, one of the greatest military operations in history. How many ships and soldiers were involved? Discuss

Edward White Becomes First American to Conduct a Spacewalk (1965)

The first spacewalk by an American astronaut was conducted by Edward White during NASA’s Gemini IV mission, which was itself the first multi-day space flight undertaken by the US. Assisted and photographed by fellow astronaut James McDivitt and tethered to the spacecraft for safety, White floated in space for 22 minutes. His spacewalk occurred just months after Russian cosmonaut Alexey Leonov executed the first ever extravehicular activity. How did White describe his reentry of the craft? Discuss

Ransom E. Olds (1864)

Olds was a pioneer of the American automobile industry and the namesake of the Oldsmobile and Reo car brands. After developing an internal combustion engine and incorporating it into a car, he opened the Olds Gasoline Engine Works. In 1899, he moved to Detroit, formed the Olds Motor Works, and designed and produced the popular Oldsmobile. With its low price and stylish curved dashboard, it was the first car to be produced in quantity. When was the Oldsmobile brand discontinued? Discuss

Life Savers

Life Savers is an American brand of ring-shaped mints and fruit-flavored hard candy known for its colorful packaging. It was created in 1912 by the father of the poet Hart Crane, Clarence Crane, who was in search of a new summer candy. The pill manufacturer he contracted to press his new line of hard mints found that production improved when the mints were stamped with a hole in the middle. What flavor of the candy exhibits “triboluminescence?” Discuss

Bare-Knuckle Fighter Dies After 99-Round Fight (1833)

In 1830, bare-knuckle prizefighter Simon Byrne, Ireland’s heavyweight boxing champion, fought Alexander McKay, the “Champion of Scotland,” for the right to challenge England’s heavyweight champ. McKay died of a head injury shortly after losing the lengthy fight, and Byrne was charged but later cleared of manslaughter. Three years later, Byrne fought England’s champion, James Burke. After 3 hours and 99 rounds, Byrne was knocked out. He died days later. What became of Burke after the fatal fight? Discuss

Malaysia Birthday of SPB Yangdi-Pertuan Agong

Malaysia practices a system of government based on a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the king, also known as Seri Paduka Baginda (SPB) Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Although the term king is used, this is not a hereditary position—the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term. Every year, the first Saturday in June is set aside as a national holiday in Malaysia to celebrate the birthday of the current and past SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agongs. Discuss