History

Refine Search

What was the scientific revolution?

Copernicus studied measurements of the movements of heavenly bodies and determined that Earth was one of several planets that seemed to move around the sun. The prevailing theory in the early 1500s was that everything moved around the Earth. Copernicus had little mathematical evidence to back up his claim, but the publication of his "On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres" in 1542 started a new debate in planetary physics.\nRene Descartes advanced algebraic and geometric concepts in the early 1600s, which gave way to more reliable methods of measuring physical movements. Descartes' ma..

Continue Reading

What is the hemispheric defense zone?

The 1823 Monroe Doctrine deemed the United States neutral unless invaded or threatened by any Eastern Hemisphere countries. Though not active participants in the pre-WWII battles in Europe, America passively participated by contributing arms and even training to the British military. When the Brits ran out of funds to pay for this aid, the U.S. established the Lend-Lease Act, which stated that they may lend and lease to countries essential to the defense of the United States. When this aid commenced, Germans began to sink the ships carrying the supplies. In an effort to keep out of warfare, FD..

Continue Reading

How many brothers and sisters did John F. Kennedy have?

John F. Kennedy's older brother was Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. His younger sisters included Rose Marie, Kathleen, Eunice, Patricia and Jean, but Rose Marie was referred to as Rosemary. His younger brothers were Robert and Edward. As of March 2014, Jean is the only living sibling.\nThe Kennedys' parents were businessman and ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy and philanthropist Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. The family faced several well-publicized tragedies as several of the Kennedy children died prematurely. Like John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert was assassinated.

Continue Reading

When did Quebec become a province?

In 1867, Lower Canada joined the pact of Confederation and regained its old name of the province of Quebec. Quebec has the second largest population in the Confederation, and the majority of this population is of French origin. Fewer than 700,000 citizens trace their heritage back to native populations, English settlers or other nationalities. The province is host to the second largest city in the country, Montreal. The capital of the province is Quebec City.

Continue Reading

What are some examples of Creek Indian artifacts?

Thought to have been built by the Muskogee Creek indians, the complex is dominated by the 67-foot Great Temple Mound. Also among the artifacts discovered there were a number of shell gorgets, which are medallions hung around the neck, and copper breastplates, each engraved with a variety of symbolic designs. These feature iconography inspired by Mesoamerican art, including the Eagle Warrior and the Long-Nosed God.Two marble statues were also discovered at the site: one representing a man and the other a woman. Found buried and broken, these 2-feet-high statues have been linked to ancestor wors..

Continue Reading

Who invented fabric softener?

The earliest fabric softener was used to reduce the rough texture of newly made cotton fabric. It was composed of soap and oil that created a smooth coat over the fabric. Later, manufacturers created softeners that seeped into the fabric to improve the fabric's absorption. Gaiser's dryer sheets were popular because the heat of the wash cycle melted and spread the chemicals into the fabric more efficiently.

Continue Reading

What was the significance of the Second Battle of the Marne?

The battle took place from July 15 to Aug. 5, 1918. German general Erich Ludendorff believed that Germany could win the war with one final push on France. His plan was to make a diversionary attack along the Marne river to draw out the British Expeditionary Force and split the French Army in two.\nThe British and French were reinforced with soldiers from the United States, which had entered the war in 1917. Several American military units established enduring legends for their service in the battle: the Third Infantry Division earned the nickname "The Rock of the Marne," and the Marines were g..

Continue Reading

Who was the Roman counterpart to the Greek goddess Athena?

. Athena is venerated as a skilled war-time strategist, although she did not like or engage in violence herself. Although the goddess Athena/Minerva traditionally is depicted dressed in armor and equipped for battle, her role in mankind's development was one of peace. The ancient Greeks and Romans credited the goddess with teaching mankind the essential skills of sewing, weaving, agriculture and metallurgy. Her clothing reflects her passion for helping and protecting the warriors who defended Athens, the city that bears her name. Sometimes called "Athena Nike," or Athena the Victorious, s..

Continue Reading

What does Pan-Asian mean?

While Pan-Asian by itself just means the union of Asian peoples, Pan-Asianism as a philosophy is frequently used in the context of uniting against Europeans and the West. In 1924, famed Chinese nationalist Sun Yat-Sen called for "Greater Asianism" to resist European imperialism and win independence for Asian nations. Japan was also a vocal supporter of Pan-Asianism during the early 20th century, and during World War II, the nation referred to its conquests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific as the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere in an attempt to legitimize its invasions and promote the b..

Continue Reading

What are Martin Luther King Jr.'s most effective speeches?

During the mid-1950s and throughout the 1960s until his death in 1968, King was actively involved in the struggle against segregation in the United States. He organized non-violent marches, rallies and campaigns, where he delivered powerful speeches, lobbying and demanding equal rights for his fellow African-Americans. Some of his most noted speeches include "A Time to Break the Silence," "Mock Eulogy," "Our God is Marching On," "The American Dream" and King's acceptance speech when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, where he expressed his refusal of the thought that humanity cann..

Continue Reading
Showing 8131 to 8140 of 8554 (856 Pages)