July 15, 2011

Word of the Day:

Adroit - nimble or an expert in the use of the body or hands; resourceful; ingenious; cleverly skillful.

The gymnast put on an adroit performance in the Olympics.

Quote:

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fact:

If you ever go eat ice cream with an Eskimo, you will find that there ice cream is neither creamy or icy.

Fact About the Day:

On July 15, 1903, Ford Motor Company took their very first order. Ernst Pfenning, a dentist from Chicago, ordered an $850 two-cylinder Model A automobile with a backseat. The car was produced at Ford's plant in Detroit and was delivered to the Dr. a little more than a week later. This order, the first of many from around the country, launched Ford into profitability. The company sold 215 Fords within two months and produced 1,000 by the end of its first year. Though the company grew quickly, it was the Model T, launched in 1908, that put Ford at the top of the automobile industry. The Model T was produced until 1927 when sales started slowing, the same year Ford released the second Model A.

July 14, 2011

Word of the Day:

Superfluous - excessive; unnecessary; irrelevant; excessive; exceeding requirements or sufficiency; obsolete.

The scientist listed the important information in his report but also listed superfluous details.

Quote:

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fact:

The best kind of milk to leave in the refrigerator for a long period of time is camel's milk, because it doesn't curdle.

Fact About the Day:

On July 14, 1881, Henry McCarty, otherwise known as Billy the Kid, was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the Maxwell Ranch in New Mexico. Billy the Kid had reportedly killed 21 men and was only 21 when he died. He was known as a notorious outlaw in the west as well as a folk hero. Garrett had been after Billy since November of 1880.

July 13, 2011

Word of the Day:

Blithely - a disposition that is merry, joyous, or gay; heedless; cheerful; glad; carefree.

She danced blithely, as though no one was watching.

Quote:

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fact:

If you have ever wondered how big an ostrich's brain is, just look at its eye. The ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

Fact About the Day:

On July 13, 1955, Ruth Ellis became the last woman to be put to death in Great Britain. Ellis had been convicted of murder after point-blank shooting her ex-lover David Blakely in front of the Magdala Pub. Ellis had a trial in which she stated "It was obvious that when I shot him I intended to kill him." Ellis was 28 years old when she was hanged shortly after the trial at Holloway Prison in Islington, London.

July 12, 2011

Word of the Day:

Ardent - fervent; passionate; fierce; vehement; zealous; characterized by intense feeling; enthusiastic; eager.

The movie goers are quite ardent about seeing the seventh movie from the series.

Quote:

If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's rights, you'll probably never do much of anything.

- Win Borden

Fact:

If you are ever successful at weighing a hummingbird, as they are quite hard to catch, you will find that it weighs less than a penny.

Fact About the Day:

On July 12, 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower became the first president to take a ride in a helicopter. Experimental helicopters had been in use since 1947, but it was not until 1957 that a president considered using them for short trips to and from the White House. Most presidential helicopter flights arrive and depart on the White House's south lawn.

July 11, 2011

Word of the Day:

Unbosoming - to disclose a person's feelings or thoughts in confidence.

Anne Frank unbosomed herself to her diary.

Quote:

Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.

- Oscar Wilde

Fact:

If you ever decide to cut off a cockroaches head, you will find that it will still live for several weeks.

Fact About the Day:

On July 11, 1979, pieces of Skylab, America's first space station, rained down on Australia and the Indian Ocean. The space station was originally launched in 1973, and housed three separate three man crews for long periods of time. Unfortunately, the space stations orbit began to deteriorate five years after the last Skylab mission. It came back to earth in a spectacular display of burning debris having broken up in the atmosphere. Fortunately, no one was injured.

July 10, 2011

Word of the Day:

Tremulous - timid; fearful; trembling from weakness, nervousness, or fear.

The girls were very tremulous before their performance.

Quote:

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

- Ashley Smith

Fact:

Among the many other things that float in water, you will find that if you place a porcupine in water that it will float.

Fact About the Day:

On July, 10, 1850, Vice President Millard Fillmore was sworn in as the 13th President of the United States. President Fillmore took the office the day following the death of President Zachary Taylor, who became ill on July 4. Fillmore was the second Vice President to take office after the death of a President, the first being John Tyler after the death of William Henry Harrison.

July 9, 2011

Word of the Day:

Abashed - embarrassed; ashamed; disconcerted; confused.

The young woman was abashed when she saw that her undergarments were not put away when she came home.

Quote:

Don't condemn me; remember rather that sometimes I too can reach the bursting point.

- Anne Frank

From The Diary of a Young Girl

Fact:

Have you ever choked on a toothpick? If you have, you're not alone. A toothpick is the object that most Americans choke on.

Fact About the Day:

On July 9, 1777, the state of New York elected its very first governor. Brigadier General George Clinton was not only the first governor of New York, he was also the longest serving governor of New York and of the United States. Clinton served as governor of New York from 1777 till 1795 and again from 1801 to 1804. The General also served as Vice President of the United States under both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison until he died in 1812.