Morning Minutes files, Nov. 1-7
Morning Minutes: Nov. 1
Word of the Day
Amok uh-MUK (adverb) In a murderously frenzied state; in a violently raging manner; in an undisciplined, uncontrolled or faulty manner - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Project Vote Smart
This is a nonpartisan, volunteer-based website that is dedicated to educating fellow citizens about political candidates’ backgrounds, experiences and stances on issues. This website claims to accept no funding money from interest groups and offers useful, independent information on federal, state and local candidates. Check it out before you head to the polls tomorrow.
Number to Know
1966: Year when the New Orleans Saints football team was founded. It happened on this date - All Saints’ Day, appropriately enough.
This Day in History
Nov. 1, 1960: While campaigning for president, John F. Kennedy announces his idea of the Peace Corps.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Actress Jenny McCarthy (38)
Daily Quote
“A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.” - James Freeman Clarke
Morning Minutes: Nov. 2
Word of the Day
Caucus KAW-kus (noun) A closed meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy; a group of people united to promote an agreed-upon cause - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Tracking election results
PBS NewsHour will be tracking and streaming live online coverage of the general election results starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until early the next morning. Expect up-to-the-minute video, maps, interactive graphics and blog posts to help you make sense of the results in relation to the political landscape.
Number to Know
37: Number of Senate seats up for grabs in today’s elections.
This Day in History
Nov. 2, 1983: President Ronald Reagan signs a bill creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Actor David Schwimmer (44)
Daily Quote
“I believe that voting is the first act of building a community as well as building a country.” - John Ensign
Morning Minutes: Nov. 3
Word of the Day
Dorsal DOR-sul (adjective) Relating to or situated near or on the back especially of an animal or of one of its parts - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Fall cleaning
With Halloween behind you and Thanksgiving fast approaching, this may be the perfect time of year for some fall cleaning. This website helps you clean your house fast, offers advice on staying organized and lists good do-it-yourself tips.
Number to Know
1939: Year that Batman first appeared on the scene (in “Detective Comics No. 27”). Batman’s creator, Bob Kane, died on this date in 1998.
This Day in History
Nov. 3, 1913: The United States introduces an income tax.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Comedian Roseanne Barr (58)
Daily Quote
“It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then like most clichés, that cliché is untrue.” - Stephen Fry (today is Cliché Day)
Morning Minutes: Nov. 4
Word of the Day
Sigmoid SIG-moyd (adjective) Curved like the letter C; curved in two directions like the letter S; of, relating to or being the sigmoid colon - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Gardeners.com
You may have noticed a never-ending pile of fallen leaves on your lawn as autumn continues. Visit this gardeners’ website to find the best ways to clear your lawn and eco-friendly ways to dispose of the leaves.
Number to Know
365: Electoral votes Barack Obama won in the 2008 presidential election (John McCain landed 173).
This Day in History
Nov. 4, 2008: Barack Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected president of the United States.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Former first lady Laura Bush (64)
Daily Quote
“A love of books, of holding a book, turning its pages, looking at its pictures, and living its fascinating stories goes hand-in-hand with a love of learning.” - Laura Bush
Morning Minutes: Nov. 5
Word of the Day
Kismet KIZZ-met (noun) Fate - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Art Garfunkel official website
Today is Art Garfunkel’s birthday (he was born in 1941). You can visit Garfunkel’s official website and find a complete list of albums, tours, books, writings and more information revolving around Garfunkel. Find the lyrics to your favorite songs or read the timeline of his life and career.
Number to Know
1605: Year when Guy Fawkes attempted to carry out the Gunpowder Plot and blow up the English Houses of Parliament. Tonight is marked as Guy Fawkes Night in England and several other countries.
This Day in History
Nov. 5, 2009: Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly kills 13 and wounds 30 at Fort Hood, Texas, in the largest mass shooting ever at a U.S. military installation.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Musician Art Garfunkel (69)
Daily Quote
“Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.” – Traditional rhyme for Guy Fawkes Night
Morning Minutes: Nov. 6
Word of the Day
Untoward un-TOH-erd (adjective) Difficult to guide, manage or work with; unruly, intractable; not favorable; adverse, unpropitious; improper, indecorous - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Daylight saving time ends
Tomorrow is the end of daylight saving time, and this website will help you understand the reasoning behind the time change and the different time zones. Check out the world clock feature to find the accurate local time of any city around the world.
Number to Know
2 a.m.: Hour tomorrow morning when time falls back and daylight saving time ends. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!
This Day in History
Nov. 6, 1985: The Iran-Contra Affair: The press reveals that President Ronald Reagan had authorized the shipment of arms to Iran.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Actress Sally Field (64)
Daily Quote
“Anybody can write music of a sort. But touching the public heart is quite another thing.” - John Philip Sousa, who was born on this date in 1854.
Morning Minutes: Nov. 7
Word of the Day
Foliage FOH-lee-ij (noun) A representation of leaves, flowers and branches for architectural ornamentation; the aggregate of leaves of one or more plants; a cluster of leaves, flowers and branches - www.merriam-webster.com
Website of the Day
Zero Tasking Day
The day daylight saving time ends is always Zero Tasking Day, in which you plan to do nothing in that extra hour that you saved by turning back the clocks. Visit this website to find some relaxing options with which you can fill your extra time while planning to do nothing.
Number to Know
1: Hour earlier right now than it was yesterday at this time thanks to the end of daylight saving time. Did you remember to set your clocks back?
This Day in History
Nov. 7, 2000: The controversial presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, which is later resolved in the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Case.
Today’s Featured Birthday
Rev. Billy Graham (92)
Daily Quote
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” - Billy Graham