Lost In Solitude: August 2010

Article of the Day

The Srebrenica Massacre

The largest mass murder in Europe since WWII, the Srebrenica Massacre was carried out by the Army of Republika Srpska under the command of General Ratko Mladic during the Bosnian War. Ruled a genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the 1995 massacre claimed the lives of an estimated 8,000 Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks, in the Srebrenica region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. How many UN peacekeeping troops were stationed in the area at the time of the massacre? More... Discuss

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This Day in History

Ray Kroc Opens His First McDonald's Franchise (1955)

Brothers Dick and Mac McDonald opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940 and introduced the "Speedee Service System," establishing the principles of the modern fast-food restaurant. Ray Kroc, a mixer salesman, recognized the idea's potential and partnered with the brothers. Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Illinois in 1955 and later bought out the McDonald brothers. The company now has a global presence. What controversies have stemmed from its success? More... Discuss

This Day in History provided by The Free Dictionary

Today's Birthday

Catherine I of Russia (1684)

Originally a Baltic peasant named Martha, Catherine was captured by Russian soldiers in 1702. That same year, she became the mistress of Peter I. In 1703, after the birth of their first child, she was received into the Russian Orthodox Church and rechristened Catherine. She married Peter in 1712, and in 1724 he had her crowned tsarina and joint ruler. When Peter died in 1725 without naming a successor, she served two years as empress of Russia until her death. How did she and Peter meet? More... Discuss

Today's Birthday provided by The Free Dictionary

In the News

Play blackjack discuss
Definition:	(noun) A leather-covered bludgeon with a short, flexible shaft or strap, used as a hand weapon.
Synonyms:	cosh, sap
Usage:	He was beaten so badly with the blackjack that he suffered several broken bones.