Today's featured article
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The German occupation of Luxembourg in World War I was the first of two military occupations of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by Germany in the twentieth century. From August 1914 until the end of the First World War in November 1918, Luxembourg was under full occupation by the German Empire. The German government justified the occupation by citing the need to support their armies in neighbouring France, although many Luxembourgers, contemporary and present, have interpreted German actions otherwise. During this period, Luxembourg was allowed to retain its own government and political system, but all proceedings were overshadowed by the German army's presence. Despite the overbearing distraction of the occupation, the Luxembourgian people attempted to lead their lives as normally as possible. The political parties attempted to focus on other matters, such as the economy, education, and constitutional reform. The domestic political environment was further complicated by the death of Paul Eyschen, who had been Prime Minister for 27 years. With his death came a string of short-lived governments, culminating in rebellion, and constitutional turmoil after the withdrawal of German soldiers. (more...)
Recently featured: Aggie Bonfire – Bupropion – Dorset
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Did you know...
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From Wikipedia's newest articles:
- ...that Clinton Thomas Dent made eighteen failed attempts to climb the Aiguille du Dru (pictured) before making the first ascent in September 1878?
- ...that Nationalism and Culture, the magnum opus of German anarchist Rudolf Rocker, was lauded by three Nobel Prize laureates?
- ...that the energy elasticity of India in 2005 was 0.80?
- ...that the first act of Paul John Hallinan as Archbishop of Atlanta, an office he assumed in 1962, was to order the desegregation of all Catholic schools and institutions in the Archdiocese of Atlanta?
- ...that the L class destroyer HMS Legion rescued 1,560 crew members of the torpedoed aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal?
- ...that cricketer Ian Meckiff was chaired off the ground by angry spectators as a hero after he was sanctioned for illegal bowling?
- ...that two of the four judges depicted in The Bench, a 1758 oil-on-canvas painting by the English artist William Hogarth, were half asleep in court?
- ...that the Army Cyclist Corps, which operated the bicycle infantry of the British Army, only existed for four years?
- ...that after placing fifth in the original Judgment of Paris wine tasting, the 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon made by Paul Draper of Ridge Vineyards won the 2006 rematch?
- ...that Kurt Vonnegut's short story 2BR02B is mentioned in his later book God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, where it is attributed to Vonnegut's fictional alter ego Kilgore Trout?
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In the news
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- The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the Schengen zone of the European Union.
- After more than 190 days of discussion, an interim government led by Guy Verhofstadt is formed in Belgium.
- Lee Myung-bak (pictured) wins the presidential election in South Korea.
- President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan declares an end to the six-week state of emergency.
- The "Mitchell Report" is released, naming more than 80 alleged users of anabolic steroids or human growth hormone among Major League Baseball players.
- Tropical Storm Olga causes floods and landslides in the Caribbean, killing at least 35 people.
- A new Swiss Federal Council is elected, with six of seven incumbents returning.
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On this day...
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December 23: Festivus; The Emperor's Birthday in Japan.
- 1620 – Construction of the Plymouth Colony, an English colonial venture in what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA, began two days after the first landing party arrived at the site.
- 1823 – A Visit from St. Nicholas, also known as The Night Before Christmas, was first published (1912 book cover pictured). The poem was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.
- 1888 – During a bout of mental illness, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh stalked his friend French painter Paul Gauguin with a razor, and then afterwards infamously cut off the lower part of his own left ear and gave it to a prostitute.
- 1947 – The transistor, invented by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley, was first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories.
- 1986 – Piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, Voyager became the first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling, landing in California's Edwards Air Force Base after a nine-day trip.
More events on this day...
Recent days: December 22 – December 21 – December 20
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