Daily Content Archive

Word of the Day
denizen Definition: (noun) An inhabitant; a resident. Synonyms: dweller Usage: I wandered through the empty streets, looking for a single denizen of this hamlet, but found not one.

Article of the Day

Obscurantism From the Latin word for darkening—obscurans—comes obscurantism, referring to the practice of deliberately withholding information. This may be done either by concealing facts or—in literature and art—by using an intentionally vague style. The term derives from a 16th-century satire about the dispute between Jew-turned-Dominican friar Johannes Pfefferkorn, who sought to destroy all Jewish texts, and his humanist opponent Johann Reuchlin. Who gave Pfefferkorn permission to burn the works? More...

This Day in History

Treaty of Waitangi Establishes New Zealand as a British Colony (1840) Though considered the founding document of New Zealand as a nation, the Treaty of Waitangi has been the subject of much debate since it was signed by representatives of the British crown and Maori chiefs in 1840. It gave Britain control of New Zealand while recognizing the native inhabitants' land rights. However, the English and Maori texts differed, leading to many controversies over its stipulations. In 1913, one of the treaty documents was restored after having been partially eaten by what? More...

Today's Birthday

Aaron Burr (1756) Before he shot and mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in the famous duel, Burr was a well-regarded lawyer and politician, having served in the American Revolution and held various offices, including that of senator. But after Hamilton used his influence to thwart more than one of his political aspirations, Burr—then vice president—challenged him to a duel and won. Later, he was tried for and acquitted of treason for a plan to seize what areas of North America, possibly to create a new country? More...

Quotation of the Day
He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)

Idiom of the Day
(as) mad as hops — Enraged; extremely or inconsolably angry. More...

Today's Holiday

Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) (2023) This exuberant celebration of snow and ice has been held since 1950 in Sapporo, the capital city Hokkaido. The week's activities feature a colorful parade and competitive events in winter sports, as well as a display of colossal snow sculptures along the main street and in Odori Park. The sculptures are spectacular—intricately carved and often several stories high. About three weeks before the festival, a wooden frame is built and packed with snow; after the snow has hardened the frame is removed and the carving begins. A different theme is chosen each year for the sculptures. More...