Cool Fact of the Day
Naming A Planet
What planet did an 11-year old girl name?
In 1902, the astronomer Percival Lowell predicted that there was a ninth planet beyond the orbit
of Neptune. Although Lowell's calculations were faulty, it turned out there was a tiny planet out
there, discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930.
Naturally, the new planet needed a name. Many suggestions arrived from all over the world.
The one Tombaugh selected was Pluto, submitted by 11-year old Venetia Burney of Oxford,
England. The name was selected in part because the planet's abbreviation (PL) was the same
as Percival Lowell's initials, and also because it continued the tradition of naming planets after
Greek and Roman gods.
The new planet was soon the focus of much attention, and a wave of Pluto-mania swept across
the world. Just one year later, Walt Disney Studios honored the new planet by naming a cartoon
character after it, introducing Pluto the Pup in a 1931 feature called "The Moose Hunt."
More about Pluto and Clyde Tombaugh:
klx.com
Pluto is the last unvisited planet, and a very mysterious place:
jpl.nasa.gov
Pluto has the least circular orbit of any planet in the Solar System:
features.learningkingdom.com
Cool Word of the Day
lionize [v. LIE-uh-nize]
To lionize someone means to treat them as very important. Example: "The press immediately
lionized the new actress because her parents were already accomplished in Hollywood." Near
synonyms include acclaim, celebrate, honor, praise, admire, glorify, flatter, revere, and adore.
The word lionize first appeared in English in the early 19th century. Its root word lion comes
ultimately from the Greek leon.
Person of the Day
James Corbett, 1866-1933
American boxer
The Queensberry rules set forth guidelines for modern-day boxing. Among other stipulations, it
requires the use of gloves, the breakdown of matches into rounds, and the ten-count for
knockouts. James Corbett was the first heavyweight boxing champion to win under the
"Queensberry" rules.
He began his fighting career at age 18, but his first significant match was a fight with Peter
Jackson lasting some four hours in 1891. After a grueling 61 rounds, the fight ended in a draw.
Corbett's later fights were not as lengthy. His won the heavyweight title in a match against John
L. Sullivan in 1892. Said to be the first heavyweight title fight in which the contestants wore
gloves, it ended in the 21st round. Corbett successfully defended his title once in a three-round
battle, but then lost it to Bob Fitzsimmons.
Failing to regain the title in subsequent fights, Corbett retired from the ring and began a career in
vaudeville and film. Known as "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, he wrote an autobiography titled "The
Roar of the Crowd," from which a movie about his life was made in 1942.
In 1990, Corbett was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
More about "Gentleman Jim" Corbett:
cyberboxingzone.com
ibhof.com
He was immortalized in a 1942 movie:
us.imdb.com
Quotes of the Day
Ceremony; Some thoughts on ceremony:
"A funeral is not death, any more than baptism is birth or marriage union. All three are the
clumsy devices, coming now too late, now too early, by which Society would register the quick
motions of man."
-- E. M. Forster, 1879-1970, British novelist, essayist
"Ceremony and ritual spring from our heart of hearts: those who govern us know it well, for they
would sooner deny us bread than dare alter the observance of tradition."
-- F. Gonzalez-Crussi, Mexican professor of pathology, author
"Ceremony was but devised at first
To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,
Recanting goodness, sorry ere 'tis shown;
But where there is true friendship, there needs none."
-- William Shakespeare, 1564-1616, English dramatist, poet
Today in History?
May 25th
1787: Constitutional Convention Started Its First Session
The Constitutional Convention started its first session in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
delegates repealed the "Articles of Confederation" and drafted a new U.S. constitution. The
new document was the result of many compromises between nationalists and federalists.
Fifty-five delegates from 12 states met in Philadelphia:
lcweb2.loc.gov
1793: Stephen Theodore Badin ordained in U.S.
French Father Stephen Theodore Badin became the first Catholic Priest Ordained in the U.S.
Bishop Carroll ordained Father in the Cathedral of St. Peter's in Baltimore, Maryland. At the
time, there were few English-speaking Catholics outside of Maryland, which had been
established in the 17th-century as a haven for Roman Catholics persecuted in England.
1844: Turpentine Engine Patented
Stuart Perry of New York City patented an internal combustion engine. Perry's invention used a
non-compression cylinder engine that used turpentine vapors as fuel.
Learn how an internal combustion engine (one for a car) works:
howstuffworks.com
1963: OAU was Established
The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The OAU
charter, signed by the 32 heads of state, sought to promote unity among African states and to
oppose colonialism.
The OAU flag was chosen in 1970:
crwflags.com
1977: "Star Wars" First Shown to the Public
The motion picture "Star Wars" was first shown to the public. "Star Wars" became one of the
most popular and profitable science fiction films ever made. Written and directed by George
Lucas, the movie depicted the archetypal battle between good and evil.
George Lucas is one of the most successful contemporary movie directors:
achievement.org
Holidays & Events
May 25
African Freedom Day, Revolution Day
ZAMBIA: AFRICAN FREEDOM DAY
African Freedom Day, or African Unity Day as it also known, is celebrated today in Zambia.
This is a holiday commemorating the founding of the Organization of African Unity on this day
in 1963. The anniversary is marked with sports contests, political rallies, and tribal dances.
More about the Organization of African Unity:
itcilo.it
tributeforrespect.org
ARGENTINA: REVOLUTION DAY
Revolution Day in Argentina commemorates the country's successful fight against Spanish rule
in 1810. Armed Argentinean citizens demanded the resignation of the Spanish viceroy and
established a provisional representative government. Revolution Day is a national holiday.
A general resource on Argentina:
shadow.net
Argentina won its independence in 1816:
cia.gov
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