| Sunday, December 14, 2008 |
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| Nostradamus |
SpotlightNostradamus, the French astrologer and physician, was born Michel de Nostradame on this date in 1503. His book, Centuries (1555), was a collection of prophecies, written in rhymed quatrains and generally considered to be obscure and symbolic. The "centuries" referred to a grouping of one hundred verses. Nostradamus was said to be afraid of persecution for heresy, which is why his prophecies are cloaked in mystery and double meanings.
Quote"The difference between heresy and prophecy is often one of sequence. Heresy often turns out to have been prophecy — when properly aged."
Question of the DayIs there a missing zodiac sign called Nostradamus?
The "missing" zodiac sign is Ophiuchus. It dates back to Ptolemy, who listed it...
Word of the daygraupel
Graupel (also called snow pellets) refers to precipitation that forms when supercooled droplets of water condense on a snowflake, forming a 2�5 mm ball of rime; the snowflake acts as a nucleus of condensation in this process. The term is derived from German Graupel meaning the same....
Schoolkids are commonly taught that the Eskimos of Alaska have dozens of words for snow. As it turns out, English has plenty, too.
Today's History
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Eugene Cernan 30 Years After His Moonwalk |
- South Pole: the Antarctic apex was first visited by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his expedition (1911)
- Motown: record label that popularized the
Motown Sound was formed in Detroit by Berry Gordy (1959) - Apollo program: Eugene Cernan, as a member of Apollo 17, became the last man on the moon to date (1972)
Today's Birthdays
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| Vanessa Anne Hudgens |
- Tycho Brahe (1546-1601): father of modern astronomy
- Stan Smith (60): tennis hall-of-famer; tennis pro Patty Schnyder (30) also celebrates a birthday today
- Michael Owen (29): English World Cup hero
- Vanessa Anne Hudgens (20): actor, High School Musical; also, actors George Furth (1932-2008), Lee Remick (1935-1991), Hal Williams (70), Patty Duke (62), Dee Wallace (60), Cynthia Gibb (45), KaDee Strickland (33) and Sophie Monk
