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Wedding Rings: A Long History
Today is unofficially National Wedding Ring Day in the United States. Here are some things you may not have known about wedding rings. Experts believe the tradition of exchanging rings during a wedding dates back to ancient Egypt. Evidence shows braided rings of hemp and reeds were exchanged by marrying couples. Ancient Egyptians saw…
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Oxford English Dictionary
Today is the 133rd anniversary of the publication of the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary. Here are some things you may not have known about the dictionary. It’s a descriptive dictionary, meaning it describes word usage and variations. Descriptivism is the opposite of prescriptivism, which aims to establish a standard of usage. The…
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History of Television Soap Operas
On this date in 1949, the first daytime television soap opera was broadcast. Here are some things you may not have known about American soap operas. They’re called soap operas because soap companies were common early sponsors of the shows. The first soap operas appeared on radio. “Painted Dreams” is considered the first, and it…
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The Beatles’ Final Concert
On this date in 1969, The Beatles had their last public performance, playing on their record company’s roof in London. Here are some things you may not have known about the concert. The performance was unannounced and caught the lunchtime crowd of office workers on the streets below by surprise. The previous year, The Beatles…
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Bonus Episode: Apollo 1 Disaster, 50 Years Ago
On this date in 1967, three American astronauts died in a training accident on the launch pad in Florida. Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 1. Following the successes of the Mercury and Gemini programs, the next step in landing a man on the moon was the three-man Apollo program.…
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Sumo Wrestling
On this date in 1993, the American-born sumo wrestler Akebono became the first foreigner promoted to the highest rank of yokozuna. Here are some things you may not have known about sumo, and Akebono. Sumo is a wrestling sport where opponents try to force each other to be the first to step out of the…
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Australia Day
Today is Australia Day. Here are some things you may not have known about Australia’s national holiday. Australia Day marks the 1788 arrival of the British First Fleet near Sydney, about 18 years after the first European set foot there. The fleet was sent to Australia to establish a penal colony on the coast of…
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Nellie Bly: Around the World in 72 Days
On this date in 1890, journalist Nellie Bly arrived back in New York after a record-breaking 72-day trip around the world. Here are some things you may not have known about Bly and her journey. Elizabeth Jane Cochran was born in 1864 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the age of 16, she replied to a misogynistic…
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Japanese World War II Holdouts
On this date in 1972, Shoichi Yokoi, one of the last Japanese holdouts from World War II was discovered hiding in Guam. Here are some things you may not have known about Japanese holdouts, including Yokoi. Corporal Shoichi Yokoi served in the 38th Regiment and arrived on Guam in February 1943. After the Americans captured…
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Frisbee: The Definitive Flying Disc
On this date in 1957, inventor Fred Morrison sold the rights to his flying disc to the Wham-O company. Here are some things you may not have known about the Frisbee. Morrison said the idea came to him while he and his future wife, Lucille, were tossing a cake pan back and forth on a…