Daily Calendar for Sunday, December 22, 2024

Question of the Day

Where did the term “cardinal sin” originate?

A cardinal sin is the same as a deadly sin, a product of early Christian monasticism and Saint Gregory the Great of the late sixth century. The seven deadly sins are vainglory (pride), covetousness, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth. They were classified as “deadly” not only because they were serious moral offenses but also because they frequently resulted in the commission of other sins. These days, “cardinal sin” is popularly used for any major sin.

Advice of the Day

One today is worth two tomorrows. —Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1757

Home Hint of the Day

If a kerosene lamp smokes a lot, try adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of salt to the kerosene.

Word of the Day

Nevada

Means “snowcapped” in Spanish

Puzzle of the Day

What is lengthened by being cut at both ends?

A ditch

Born

Giacomo Puccini (composer) – 1858
Edwin Arlington Robinson (poet) – 1869
Grote Reber (American astronomer) – 1911
Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson (U.S. First Lady) – 1912
Diane Sawyer (journalist) – 1945
Ralph Fiennes (actor) – 1962
Lauralee Bell (actress) – 1968
Jordin Sparks (singer; season 6 American Idol winner) – 1989

Died

George Eliot (writer) – 1880
Ferdinand V. Hayden (geologist) – 1887
Beatrix Potter (author) – 1943
Samuel Beckett (writer) – 1989
Joe Strummer (singer) – 2002

Events

Construction began for first schoolhouse west of Allegheny Mountains, in Schoenbrunn, Ohio– 1772
Continental Fleet was organized by the rebellious American colonies under the command of Esek Hopkins– 1775
American Bicycling Journal first published– 1877
Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, created the first string of Christmas tree lights– 1882
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit the central California coast– 2003

Weather

Lake-effect snows brought a heavy storm to Turin, New York– 1993