Today in History
Courrières Mine Disaster (1906)
[9 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 The Courrières mine disaster, the worst mining accident in European history, killed 1,099 miners in Northern France. It is generally agreed that the majority of the deaths and destruction were caused by an explosion of dust which swept through the mine, however, it has never been ascertained what caused the coal dust to ignite in the first place. A group of thirteen survivors, later known as the rescapés, was found by rescuers twenty days after the explosion. How had they survived? Discuss
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Adam Smith's Is Published (1776)
[8 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 Published in 1776, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith. It is a clearly written account of political economy at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and is considered the first modern work in the field of economics. In it, Smith postulates the theory of the division of labor and emphasizes that value arises from the labor expended in the process of production. What was Smith's concept of "the invisible hand"?
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The Gnadenhütten Massacre (1782)
[7 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 During the American Revolution, the Lenape, or Delaware, group of Native Americans found itself divided on the issue of which side, if any, to take in the conflict. Some members elected to fight against the Americans, while others?particularly Christian converts?remained neutral. In 1782, an American militia seeking revenge for Native American raids on frontier settlements killed 96 Christian Delawares in Gnadenhütten, Ohio. What was done to the two boys who survived prior to their escape?
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Chuck Norris (1940)
[9 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 Carlos "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and action star best known for his titular role on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. After serving in the US Air Force, Norris became a martial arts champion and an actor, starring in many action films. In 2005, Norris became the subject of an Internet phenomenon known as "Chuck Norris Facts," which document fictional, often absurdly heroic feats and characteristics about him. Which "fact" is reportedly Norris' favorite? Discuss
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Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov (1890)
[8 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 A leading figure in the Soviet government from the 1920s until 1957, Molotov rose to power as a protégé of Joseph Stalin. He became prime minister in 1930 and later served as foreign minister. Though he first negotiated a treaty with Hitler's Germany?the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?after the 1941 German invasion, he worked to strengthen Soviet ties with the West. Why is the Molotov cocktail, a makeshift bomb made of a breakable container filled with flammable liquid, named for him?
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Kenneth Grahame (1859)
[7 Mar 2010 at 11:00pm]
 Grahame was an English author best known for writing The Wind in the Willows, whose anthropomorphic animal characters?Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad?captivatingly combine human traits with authentic animal habits. Though a children's classic, it has been enjoyed by readers of all ages since its publication in 1908. In addition to writing, Grahame worked as a banker in London for some time. What happened to him when a man opened fire in his bank in 1903?
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