Five days after John Lennon of the Beatles married the Japanese avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, the couple held the first of two week-long Bed-Ins for Peace as a non-violent way of protesting war and promoting peace. For the first Bed-In, the couple invited members of the press into their Amsterdam hotel room and then sat in bed and talked about peace. Months later, they held their second Bed-In in Montreal. What hit song did they record during the second Bed-In? Discuss
Month: March 2024
Annunciation of the Lord
This day celebrates the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary announcing that she was to become the mother of Jesus. In England, the Feast of the Annunciation is commonly called Lady Day. Greek Orthodox Christians refer to this day as the Annunciation of the Theotokos. In Sweden it was called Varfrudagen, “Our Lady’s Day.” Common pronunciation turned it into Vaffeldagen, or “Waffle Day.” This is the source of heart-shaped waffle irons: the waffles commemorate the heart of the Virgin Mary. Discuss
Béla Bartók (1881)
Bartók was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, and collector of folk music. In 1904, having discovered that the folk-music repertory generally accepted as Hungarian was in fact largely urban Roma—Gypsy—music, he set about researching Hungarian folk music. He worked folk themes and rhythms into his own music, achieving a style that was at once nationalistic and deeply personal. What surprising discoveries did he make in his study of folk music? Discuss
win (something) in a walk
To win (something) easily, handily, or without much or any effort. Watch the video
The Geghard Monastery
The Geghard monastery is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Armenia. The unique architectural structure is surrounded by towering cliffs, and part of the monastery, known as “the Monastery of the Cave,” was actually carved out of the mountainside. Gregory the Illuminator founded the complex in the 4th century at the site of a sacred spring, and in the centuries that followed, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt. What religious relics were housed at Geghard? Discuss
roster
Robert Koch Announces Discovery of Tuberculosis Bacterium (1882)
Tuberculosis, a contagious, wasting disease that commonly attacks the lungs but may affect other organs and systems as well, is caused by several strains of mycobacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. First identified in 1882 by German bacteriologist Robert Koch, M. tuberculosis is unusual because of its lipid-rich cell wall and because it divides every 15 to 20 hours, when other bacteria divide in minutes. How long does it take E. coli to divide? Discuss
Ub Iwerks (1901)
After starting an unsuccessful art studio with Walt Disney, Iwerks continued working on film animation until Disney brought him to Hollywood in 1923 to help draw Alice in Cartoonland. Together, Disney and Iwerks created Mickey Mouse—drawn by Iwerks, with Disney providing the voice. Iwerks went on to develop many special effects for animated movies, winning Academy Awards in 1959 and 1965 for his technical contributions to motion pictures. What other cartoon characters did Iwerks create? Discuss
in a sorry state
In a pitiful or abject condition. Watch the video
The MiG-25
The Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 bomber and interceptor aircraft entered into service in 1970. With a top speed of Mach 3.2, powerful radar, and 4 air-to-air missiles, the MiG-25 was a formidable opponent. Before entering operational service, 4 MiG-25Rs were flown over Israel roughly 20 times. Israeli intelligence knew when these flights were scheduled but was unable to intercept the planes. The MiG-25s used during these bold missions were temporarily in the service of whose air force? Discuss