The Communist Manifesto Is Published (1848)

Commissioned by the Communist League and written by theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the Communist Manifesto is one of the most influential political tracts in history. It calls on the proletariat to overthrow the capitalists, abolish private property, and take over the means of production. It also advocates for a progressive income tax system and universal free public education. After predicting an eventual classless society, the document ends with what famous statement? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vanuatu Father Walter Lini Day

A former Anglican priest, Father Walter Lini became the first prime minister of the newly independent country of Vanuatu in 1980. Despite those who remember him for his authoritarian ways, Lini is honored on February 21 as the father of Vanuatu’s independence. To mark the 25th anniversary of the country’s independence, the 2005 celebration of Lini Day included a special remembrance service at the Tagabe Anglican Church with President Kalkot Matas Kelekele attending. Prime minister Ham Lini, Walter Lini’s brother, presided over a ceremony in which a wreath was placed on the late priest’s grave. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Robert Mugabe (1924)

Mugabe has served as the head of the government of Zimbabwe since 1980, after rising to prominence in the 1970s as leader of a Marxist-inspired guerrilla war against the government of Rhodesia. Though he remains a hero to some for his role in the independence movement, his administration now faces accusations of corruption, suppression of political opposition, mishandling of land reform, and human rights abuses. What 2005 movie was banned by his office amid claims that it is CIA propaganda? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Cricket

Cricket is a sport played by two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped grass field, in the center of which is a flat strip of ground 66 feet (20.1 m) long, called a “pitch.” At each end of the pitch stands a wicket—or arrangement of wooden stumps—and a batsman whose goal is to protect it from the opposing bowler’s ball and, if he can, exchange places with his teammate at the other end of the pitch, thereby scoring a run. What are possible explanations for the origin of the name “cricket”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Edward VI Crowned King of England (1547)

Edward VI succeeded his father, Henry VIII, to the throne at age nine and had a brief but tumultuous reign. War with France broke out in 1549 over the possession of Boulogne. At home, the peasantry grew disgruntled at the enclosure of the common land, Edward’s advisors engaged in ruthless political scheming, and religious inclinations began to shift in favor of Protestantism—the king’s religion. Unrest continued after Edward’s death at age 15 because he had named whom as his successor? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Chinese New Year Spring Festival

The Lunar New Year is the most important and the longest of all Chinese festivals, celebrated by Chinese communities throughout the world. Dragon and lion dances are performed, and there are acrobatic demonstrations and much beating of gongs. An ancient custom is giving red packets of money called hung-pao or lai see to children. In most Asian countries, people return to work after the fourth or fifth day of celebration. In Taiwan, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and the two days following are public holidays—government offices and most businesses are closed. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Joshua Slocum (1844)

Slocum was a Canadian seaman and adventurer who, in 1898, became the first man to circumnavigate the globe on his own, traveling 46,000 mi (74,000 km) in three years. His account of the voyage, Sailing Alone Around the World, became a classic of travel literature and brought him worldwide fame. In November 1909, he disappeared during another voyage and was declared legally dead 15 years later. What is believed to have happened to him? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary