St. Médardus, or Médard, who lived from about 470 to 560, was the bishop of Vermandois, Noyon, and Tournai in France. Because he was the patron saint of farmers and good weather, he has come to play a role in weather lore similar to that of the English St. Swithin. In Belgium, he is known as the rain saint, and there is an old folk rhyme that says, “If it rains on St. Médard’s Day, it will rain for 40 days.” Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The daughter of iconic singer Frank Sinatra, Nancy is an American singer and actress best known for her 1966 signature hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” The song was written by singer and producer Lee Hazlewood, who wrote and produced most of Nancy’s hits and sang with her on several duets. She followed the song’s wild success with a slew of singles, including a duet with her father that remains the only father-daughter duet to reach the top of the charts in the US. What song is it? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Jeopardy! is a well-known television game show which first ran on NBC in 1964. Its most successful incarnation is the current Alex Trebek-hosted syndicated version, which has aired continuously since September 10, 1984. The Jeopardy! concept of presenting clues in the form of answers was created by Merv Griffin, who also created Wheel of Fortune. Why is the show called Jeopardy!? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Not mingled or diluted with extraneous matter.
Synonyms: pure.
Usage: Because she did not like artificial or diluted flavors, she made sure to purchase unadulterated maple syrup.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Named for the style of clothing favored by the mainly Mexican-American victims of these clashes, the Zoot Suit Riots erupted between American servicemen stationed in Los Angeles, California, during World War II and the city’s minority residents. While the local press lauded the attacks by the servicemen and described them as having a “cleansing effect,” First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt denounced them as “race riots” rooted in discrimination. What happened to the nine sailors arrested in the riots? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Under British rule, the Maltese Islands helped the Allies during World War I. Although the war brought jobs to the country, many Maltese found it hard to make ends meet. These factors and others prompted riots in Valletta on June 7, 1919. During the riots, four Maltese were killed by British troops. This tragic event became known as the Sette Giugno Riots. Every year on June 7, Malta holds a commemorative ceremony in Valletta. The commemorative celebration includes marches and the playing of the national anthem, “L-Innu Malti,” as well as a moment of silence in memory of the four fallen men. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
First a sailor and then a successful stockbroker in Paris, Gauguin took up painting on weekends when he was in his mid-20s. Eventually, with the encouragement of Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, he devoted himself completely to art, quitting his job and separating from his wife and five children. Today, he is recognized as a highly influential founding father of modern art whose bold experiments with color led directly to the Synthetist style. What did Gauguin and Van Gogh have in common? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
An igloo, which means “house” in the Inuit language, is a traditional, dome-shaped Eskimo dwelling with a low tunnel entrance constructed of blocks of snow placed in an ascending spiral. Although igloos are commonly associated with the Inuit, they were predominantly constructed by people of Canada’s Central Arctic and Greenland’s Thule area. What is a kudlik, and how did it help strengthen the structural integrity of igloos? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) Change toward something smaller or lower.
Synonyms: decline.
Usage: The thermometer indicated a certain diminution of temperature.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The drive-in theater was the creation of New Jersey chemical company magnate Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. In 1932, Hollingshead nailed a screen to trees in his backyard and set a projector on the hood of his car. After applying for a patent for his creation, Hollingshead opened the first drive-in the next year. Though it only operated for three years, the concept soon caught on in other states. How many drive-ins are estimated to have existed in the US at the height of their popularity? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary