Established in 1972, Heaven’s Gate was a cult that advocated self-renunciation, to the point of castration, as preparation for the “transition” to a new life on a spaceship, which adherents believed was trailing behind the comet Hale-Bopp. As the comet made its closest approach to Earth, 39 members of the group committed suicide. Authorities found the dead lying neatly in their bunk beds, dressed identically and wearing armbands that read “Heaven’s Gate Away Team.” Who was their leader? Discuss
Robert Frost (1874)
Perhaps the most popular and beloved of 20th-century American poets, Frost wrote of the character, people, and landscape of New England. Rooted in the New England landscape, yet deeply symbolic, his work is concerned with human tragedies and fears, the complexities of life, and the ultimate acceptance of one’s burdens. Frost was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry four times—in 1924, 1931, 1937, and 1943. He recited a poem at the inauguration of which US president? Discuss
in all honesty
In one’s sincere opinion; without any disingenuousness. Watch the video
Project Excelsior
As jets began flying higher and faster, the US Air Force became increasingly worried about the safety of its flight crew. Project Excelsior was initiated in 1958 to design a multi-stage parachute system that would allow a safe, controlled descent after a high-altitude ejection. In 1959 and 1960, Captain Joseph Kittinger made a series of high-altitude parachute jumps to test the new parachute system, setting three world records in the process. Who broke one of these records in 2012? Discuss
banneret
Definition: (noun) A knight honored for valor, entitled to display a square banner and to hold higher command.
Synonyms: knight of the square flag.
Usage: The banneret proudly led his troops into battle and pressed forward unafraid.
Discuss
John Lennon and Yoko Ono Hold Their First Bed-In for Peace (1969)
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
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