Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port. Located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of South America, it is the most heavily industrialized city of Argentina. It is a major food-processing center with huge meatpacking plants. It was first settled in the 16th century and was subordinate to the Spanish Viceroy of Peru. The criollo citizens of Buenos Aires successfully ousted the Spanish Viceroy in what year? Discuss
Month: August 2023
commodious
Battle of Evesham (1265)
In 1258, English nobleman Simon de Montfort joined other barons in forcing King Henry III to accept the Provisions of Oxford—often considered England’s first written constitution—which limited the power of the monarchy. When Henry renounced the Provisions, Montfort led a force against him, defeating the royalist army at the Battle of Lewes and becoming England’s de facto ruler. Less than a year later, he was killed by Henry’s son Edward at the Battle of Evesham. What happened to his body? Discuss
Louis Vuitton (1821)
In 1835, Vuitton moved to Paris, where he became an apprentice malletier, or trunk-maker, crafting luggage for the French aristocracy. In 1854, he founded the company that would become a worldwide fashion icon. By 1885, the company had opened its first store in London. He introduced a line of innovative traveling trunks, and his designs soon became the subjects of widespread imitation—a trend that continues even today. What percent of the items bearing the Louis Vuitton monogram are counterfeit? Discuss
guilt complex
A very strong and persistent feeling of guilt regarding something or some event. Watch the video
Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is the treatment and prevention of disease using practices that do not follow generally accepted medical methods and may not have a scientific explanation for their effectiveness; acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, biofeedback, massage, and chiropractic therapies are just a few examples. The scientifically oriented, modern medical establishment has typically been skeptical about, and often opposed to, these treatments. What is the appeal to nature fallacy? Discuss
hautboy
Joseph Paxton (1803)
Paxton was an English architect noted for his use of glass and iron in a manner that anticipated modern methods. He began his career as a landscape gardener and built two innovative greenhouses for the duke of Devonshire. These “glass houses” later served as a model for the Crystal Palace, made of iron and glass, which Paxton designed and built for the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was knighted for the success of his design. One of Paxton’s greenhouses was designed solely to house what plant? Discuss
a ground ball with eyes
In baseball, a ball that is hit onto the ground and narrowly eludes two or more infielders, allowing the batter to take a base. It is said to have “eyes” because it seems to “see” its way between the two defensive players. Watch the video
Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull, a retired Canadian ice hockey player, is considered the best left wing in the sport’s history. He began skating at the age of 3 and began playing with the National Hockey League’s Chicago Black Hawks in the 1957–58 season. Dissatisfied with his NHL salary, Hull responded to overtures from the upstart World Hockey Association’s Winnipeg Jets in 1972 by joking that he would sign with them for a million dollar contract; how did the Jets respond? Discuss