Month: August 2023

New York Sun Publishes "The Great Moon Hoax" (1835)

“The Great Moon Hoax” was a series of six New York Sun articles discussing the supposed discovery of life on the Moon. The discovery—allegedly made using a massive telescope—was falsely attributed to famed astronomer Sir John Herschel. In the articles, the author claims that unicorns, bipedal beavers, bat-like humanoids, and other fantastic animals inhabit a forest- and ocean-covered Moon. The series was likely intended to boost the paper’s sales and ridicule what contemporary theories? Discuss

Allan Pinkerton (1819)

Pinkerton, an American detective and spy, founded the first private detective agency in the US—the Pinkerton Detective Agency—in 1850. The agency, which specialized in railroad theft cases, soon became famous, and Pinkerton opened branches in several cities. In 1860, he discovered and thwarted a plot to assassinate newly elected President Abraham Lincoln while en route to his inauguration. He went on to serve as a spy during the Civil War and head up what would become what government agency? Discuss

The Necktie

A necktie is a narrow fabric band of varying length worn around the neck and tied in a knot or bow close to the throat. The modern tie, ascot, and bowtie are descended from the 17th c. cravat. Originally, the four-in-hand necktie was cut on the square and had square ends. The bias-cut necktie, introduced in 1926, allowed the tie to fall evenly from the knot without twisting. Using mathematical modeling, researchers have discovered 85 possible necktie knots. How many are “aesthetically pleasing”? Discuss

British Troops Burn the White House (1814)

During the War of 1812, a year after US troops burned Canadian Parliament Buildings in the Battle of York, British troops retaliated by marching on Washington, DC, and setting fire to its public buildings—including the Capitol and the White House. According to some accounts, First Lady Dolley Madison refused to leave the White House until just moments before British troops arrived, gathering valuables, documents, and other items of importance, including what notable painting? Discuss

Jorge Luis Borges (1899)

Borges was an Argentine poet, essayist, and short-story writer. Much of his work is rich in fantasy and metaphorical allegory, including the story collection Ficciones, which won him an international following. In the 1920s, Borges was afflicted by a worsening hereditary blindness and was totally blind by the mid-1950s. Forced to abandon the writing of long texts, he began dictating his works. What literary movement is Borges credited with establishing in South America? Discuss

Hafez

Hafez was a 14th-century Persian mystic and poet. His ghazals, or lyrical poems, are noted for the beautiful manner in which the themes of love, mysticism, and Sufism are presented. Much that is known about Hafez comes from legend and myth, though scholars believe he was the disciple of the Attar of Shiraz. Hafez faced charges of blasphemy during his life over the content of his poetry, but an elaborate tomb was erected in his honor 20 years after his death. What is inscribed on his tombstone? Discuss