Hotham the Hatter

Sir Richard Hotham was an 18th century politician and property developer who rose to a position of prominence from his humble beginnings as a hatter. During the 1760s, Hotham gained control of a number of ships belonging to the British East India Company and used the money from this venture to enter into property development. A short time later, he began his political career, eventually becoming a Member of Parliament. What led him to develop the village of Bognor into a seaside resort? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Lawrence Textile Strike Begins in Massachusetts (1912)

The Lawrence Textile Strike was a strike of immigrant workers led by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a revolutionary industrial union aimed at uniting all workers in an effort to promote socialism and overthrow capitalism. Of the 150 strikes conducted by the IWW, the Lawrence strike was one of the most notable, growing to more than 20,000 workers in one week and lasting more than two months. Were the strikers’ demands met, or did the companies proceed with planned wage reductions? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Seijin-no-Hi

This national holiday in Japan honors those who reached their 20th birthday (voting age) in the previous year. Gatherings, usually with speakers, are held in community centers where the honorees show off their new adult finery. A traditional archery contest is held on this day at Sanjusangendo Temple in Kyoto, with people from all over Japan participating. Until 2000, Seijin-no-Hi was observed on January 15, but now it is celebrated on the second Monday in January. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Parmigianino (1503)

Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola was an Italian Mannerist painter and etcher commonly known by his nickname Parmigianino, meaning “the little one from Parma.” His works possess remarkable grace and sensuality, and he is regarded as one of the period’s finest draftsmen. He was one of the first artists to practice etching, and through this medium his style became influential in Italy and beyond. One of his most curious works is a self portrait in which his image has been distorted by what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Money Pit of Oak Island

According to newspaper records, in 1795 excavations began at the site of a mysterious depression on Nova Scotia’s Oak Island. A layer of flagstones was found buried a few feet below the surface, and layers of logs were uncovered at 10 ft (3 m) intervals. At a depth of about 90 ft (27 m), a large stone bearing an inscription of symbols was recovered; and translations revealed the secret message, “forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried.” Whose treasure is believed to be buried there? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Smallest Chameleons Give the Biggest Tongue Lashings, Say Scientists

Chameleons shoot their long, sticky tongues out at high speeds to snag an unsuspecting snack. Scientists have long known about the color-changing animals’ tricky prey capture. But new research reveals that the tiniest chameleons actually have the most powerful … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

First Great Texas Oil Gusher Discovered at Spindletop (1901)

In 1892, a company was formed in Texas to investigate long-held suspicions that oil might be under an area known as Spindletop Hill. After nine years of exploratory drilling, oil was struck at a depth of 1,139 ft (347 m), resulting in the “Lucas Gusher,” which blew oil more than 150 ft (46 m) in the air. The well produced an estimated 100,000 barrels per day, marking what many consider the birth of the modern petroleum industry. What now well-known companies were involved in the find? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary