Independence Day, or National Day, in Ecuador celebrates its independence movement of 1809. Freedom from Spanish rule was finally achieved on May 24, 1822. (That event is commemorated each year on May 24 with another holiday called Battle of Pichincha Day.) Patriotic festivities are held throughout the country, but particularly in the colorful capital city of Quito. Discuss
Month: August 2023
Norma Shearer (1900)
Shearer, an Academy Award-winning Canadian-American actress, was one of the most popular actresses of the 1920s, 30s, and early 40s. Largely forgotten after her retirement in 1942, she received renewed attention in the 1990s, when some of her films were rereleased. Widely celebrated today as one of cinema’s feminist pioneers, Shearer earned six Academy Award nominations for best actress, winning for her role in The Divorcee (1930). She reportedly passed up a part in what blockbuster film? Discuss
Kodak moment
A particularly poignant, memorable, or emotionally touching moment or event, i.e., one that would be well-suited to be captured in a photograph. Taken from an advertising slogan for Eastman Kodak photographic film and cameras. Sometimes used ironically or satirically. Watch the video
Wall Street
Wall Street is a narrow street in lower Manhattan, New York City, extending east from Broadway to the East River. It is the center of one of the greatest financial districts in the world. As the first permanent home of the New York Stock Exchange, the term “Wall Street” has come to denote US financial interests. Many New York financial firms, however, are no longer headquartered on Wall Street, but elsewhere in Manhattan, Connecticut, or New Jersey. Where did Wall Street get its name? Discuss
vibist
Definition: (noun) A musician who plays the vibraphone.
Synonyms: vibraphonist.
Usage: The singing group hired a vibist to spruce up one of the tracks on their latest record.
Discuss
Sharon Tate Murdered by Manson "Family" (1969)
Tate, an American actress, was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1968 for her performance in Valley of the Dolls. In 1969, Charles Manson, leader of a cult called the “Family,” sent his followers to Tate’s home with orders to “totally destroy everyone in [it], as gruesome as you can.” Tate, 8 ½ months pregnant at the time, was murdered along with 5 friends. The “Family” committed several other murders before its members were caught and brought to trial in 1971. Who was Tate’s husband? Discuss
Singapore National Day
Singapore National Day is a public holiday in Singapore to commemorate its independence. Singapore was the administrative seat for the Straits Settlements, a British crown colony, from 1867 until it was occupied by Japan in World War II. It was restored to Britain in 1945, became a part of Malaysia in 1963, and became independent in 1965. The holiday is celebrated with a spectacular parade, cultural dances, and fireworks. Discuss
Amedeo Avogadro (1776)
In 1811, Avogadro, an Italian physicist, advanced the hypothesis that equal volumes of gases under identical conditions of pressure and temperature contain the same number of molecules. Now one of the fundamental concepts of the atomic theory of matter, his theory has become known as Avogadro’s law. Since then, physicists have determined the number of molecules in the gram-molecular weight and found that it is the same for all gases. This number, called Avogadro’s number, is how large? Discuss
Hallmark moment
A particularly poignant, memorable, or emotionally touching moment or event, i.e., one that would be suitable as a greeting card. A reference to the Hallmark brand of greeting cards. Sometimes used ironically or satirically. Watch the video
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Longfellow was a popular 19th c. American poet. He wrote some of the most popular poems in American literature and his works created a new body of romantic American legends. In preparation for professorships, he traveled to Europe twice to study languages. His works were immensely popular during his lifetime and remain so, despite critics’ complaints that they are simple, sentimental, and moralizing. As a teenager, Longfellow began a lifelong friendship with what other famous American novelist? Discuss