Cool Fact of the Day
Longest Earthworms
How long are the longest earthworms?
The giant South African earthworm (Microhaetus rappi) can grow up to 22 feet (6.7 meters)
long! The largest ones are almost an inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
An Australian species, the great Gippsland gurgling earthworm (Megascolides australis), can
get as long as 12 feet (3.7 meters), and is known for the sucking, gurgling noises it makes as it
digs in the ground.
There are about 2,700 different kinds of earthworms. In one acre of good soil, there can be
over a million of them. Many of the species of earthworms now found in North America were
originally brought over by European settlers.
Cool Word of the Day
agonic [adj. ay-GONE-ik]
Agonic means having no angles. Circles, ovals, and squiggles are agonic, but rectangles and
triangles are not.
This word demonstrates two Greek roots. "a-" means not or without, and "gonia" means
angle. Shapes made by connecting line segments to make angles -- such as triangles and
rectangles -- are called polygons (literally, "many angles").
Many polygons have their own special "-gon" names, using a Greek root for the number of
sides to complete the word. Some examples:
Five sides: pentagon
Six sides: hexagon
Eight sides: octagon
Ten sides: decagon
Twelve sides: dodecagon
Person of the Day
Scott Joplin, c. 1867 - 1917
Musician and composer
When the "ragtime" style of music appeared in the southern U.S. around the turn of the
century, Scott Joplin's compositions were among the most popular. His work was in some
ways the definition of ragtime, a catchy combination of African, folk, and Creole styles.
Joplin contributed more than just music. He wrote a book called "The School Of Ragtime," in
which the various components of the style were explained, including the interactions of the
melody elements, harmonies, and rhythmical features.
Although he is mostly known today for his piano music, especially "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The
Entertainer," Scott Joplin also composed operas and dance suites. His last opera,
"Treemonisha," was never completely performed while he was alive, but was fully staged on
Broadway in 1972.
Joplin was nearly forgotten after he died, but today his work is honored:
scottjoplin.org
Today in History
August 7th
1409: Council of Pisa Officially Ended
The Council of Pisa officially ended. The Council attempted unsuccessfully to put an end to
the "Great Schism," the three decade long period in Roman Catholic history when two rival
papacies--one in Rome and the other in Avignon -- France competed to be the sole legitimate
papal state.
About 500 religious men convened at Pisa's famous Cathedral:
history.idbsu.edu
1782: Washington Established "Purple Heart"
General George Washington established a badge of military honor, known as the "Purple
Heart." The Purple Heart is awarded to any civilian or member of the armed forces who is
wounded or killed in action. The badge consists of a purple heart bordered with gold, with a
bust of Washington in the middle.
More about the Purple Heart:
purpleheart.org
1947: "Kon-Tiki" Crashed
After 101 days at sea, the balsa wood raft "Kon-Tiki," which carried a six-man crew 4,300
miles (6,880 km) across the Pacific Ocean, crashed into a reef in a Polynesian archipelago.
None of the crewmembers were injured. The expedition, led by Norwegian archeologist Thor
Heyerdahl, sought confirmation that pre-historic contact between Polynesia and South
America might have occurred.
Learn more about the Kon-Tiki and its famous voyage:
media.uio.no
1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Approved
Congress approved the "Gulf of Tonkin Resolution," which gave President Lyndon Johnson
authority to "take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack" by North Vietnam. The
resolution was passed three days after the US accused North Vietnam of launching an attack
on US war ships, an incident many now claim never happened.
Two different views on the Gulf of Tonkin incident:
lbjlib.utexas.edu
fair.org
1974: Petit Walked Tightrope
French stuntman Philippe Petit walked a tightrope strung between the Twin Towers of New
York's World Trade Center. The aerialist performed the feat between the two towers (120
feet, 40 m) in 45 minutes. Petit, who crossed secretly because the authorities would have
arrested him, used his exploit as a symbol to celebrate social deviants and those who reject
power.
Petit's steel rope stretched at the top of the Twin Towers:
structurae.de
Holidays & Events
EISTEDDFOD: WALES
The largest and oldest celebration of Welsh culture continues today in Llangollen, Wales. The
annual weeklong festivities, which commenced on August 4, encourage Welsh music and
literature. The event dates back to 1176, but has been held annually only since 1880 (with the
exception of war years 1914 and 1940). There are competitions in harp playing, singing,
drama, and poetry.
The official site for Eisteddfod:
eisteddfod.org.uk
Facts about Wales and the Welsh:
britannia.com
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