From today's featured article
The Algemeyne Entsiklopedye is a Yiddish-language encyclopedia published in twelve volumes from 1934 to 1966. It is divided into two subseries: five volumes of the Normale series, covering general knowledge, and six volumes of the Yidn series (initially planned as a single supplementary volume) covering Jewish history and culture through a series of essays. The encyclopedia's early volumes emphasize leftist history and politics, although the project shifted in tone in response to Nazi persecution, and became increasingly focused on covering Jewish topics. After the destruction of Jewish communities throughout Europe—the encyclopedia's main audience—in the Holocaust, it transformed from a general-purpose resource into an effort to commemorate what was lost. After decades of failed attempts to compile a Yiddish general encyclopedia, the Vilna-based Jewish cultural organization YIVO formed the Dubnov Fund in 1930, which organized and raised funds for the encyclopedia. ( Full article... )
Did you know ...
- ... that an estimated 23 billion seven-spot ladybirds (example pictured) swarmed England's eastern and southern coasts during a heatwave in 1976?
- ... that Bill Cottrell went from playing for a high-school team that had 32 consecutive losses to starting for an NFL team?
- ... that a type of flute known as a fluier was sometimes built into Romanian shepherds' whips and staffs?
- ... that actor and playwright J. Harry Benrimo has been described as a "central and versatile figure in Orientalist theater"?
- ... that Lale Andersen, who was popular on both sides of World War II for her version of "Lili Marleen", represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961 ?
- ... that Suprapto Martosetomo sheltered Indonesian students at his residence in the Philippines during a 1989 coup attempt?
- ... that the Variations on a Theme from La Cenerentola are attributed to Frédéric Chopin, but he may only have composed one of the variations?
- ... that Li Xinchuan was allowed to return to his old workplace after fleeing the Mongol invasion?
- ... that Aubrey Plaza got high with the "weed nuns" to promote The Little Hours ?
In the news
- Fatafehi Fakafānua (pictured) is elected prime minister by the legislative assembly of Tonga.
- Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, are found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home.
- José Antonio Kast is elected president of Chile.
- Sixteen people, including a gunman, are killed in a mass shooting attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
On this day
- 1807 – In an effort to avoid engaging in the Napoleonic Wars, the United States Congress passed the Embargo Act , forbidding American ships from engaging in trade with foreign nations.
- 1920 – The Congress of Soviets approved the GOELRO plan , the first Soviet plan for national economic recovery and development.
- 1939 – Members of the All-India Muslim League observed a " Day of Deliverance " to celebrate the resignations of members of the Indian National Congress over the decision to enter the Second World War at the request of the United Kingdom.
- 1997 – Hussein Farrah Aidid relinquished the disputed title of President of Somalia.
- 2010 – The United States repealed its "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the military (signing pictured).
- Cynesige (d. 1060)
- Alan Bush (b. 1900)
- Tommy Flowers (b. 1905)
- Angela James (b. 1964)
Today's featured picture
 | The silver-breasted broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) is a species of bird in the broadbill family, Eurylaimidae. It is found at a range of elevations in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is a medium-sized broadbill: 16–17 centimetres (6.3–6.7 in) in length, 25–35 grams (0.9–1.2 oz) in mass. The plumage of the nominate race has a rusty-coloured head, ash-grey forehead, black supercilium over the eye, white breast and belly, and a bright rufous rump and upper wing. The flight feathers are striking blue and black and the tail is black. The silver-breasted broadbill's primary diet is insects, including grasshoppers, mantises, small snails and caterpillars, which it takes by flycatching from a perch or by gleaning branches and foliage. This male silver-breasted broadbill was photographed in Di Linh district, Vietnam. Photograph credit: JJ Harrison Recently featured: |