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September 5, 2026
Sep 5, 2026
Word
hale
adjective
Definition
free from defect, disease, or infirmity : sound; also : retaining exceptional health and vigor
Example
"He was a rich and powerful noble, then in his sixty-second year, but hale and sturdy, a great horseman and hunter and a pious man." (Edith Wharton, "Kerfol")
Origin
When you need a word to describe someone or something in good health, you might pick "hale" or a synonym such as "healthy," "sound," or "robust." Of those terms, "healthy" is the most general, implying full strength and vigor or simply freedom from signs of disease. "Sound" generally emphasizes the complete absence of defects of mind or body. "Robust" implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly and usually suggests muscular strength as well as the ability to work or play long and hard. "Hale" applies especially to robustness in later life. The phrase "hale and hearty" is often used to describe an older person who retains the physical qualities of youth
Webster's Dictionary
Idiom
like pigs in clover
Extremely contentedly, as in They had a handsome pension and lived like pigs in clover. This expression alludes to pigs being allowed to eat as much clover, a favorite food, as they wish. It appeared in the Boston Gazette of January 7, 1813: "Canadians! then in droves come over, And live henceforth like pigs in clover." [Early 1800s]
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Fun facts
  1. Buzz Aldrin was one of the first men on the moon. His mother's maiden name was also Moon.
  2. Tennessee was previously named Franklin after Benjamin Franklin.
Snapple's under-the-cap 'Real Facts'
Artist
Henry Ossawa Tanner
Jun 21, 1859 - May 25, 1937

Henry Ossawa Tanner was an American artist and the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim. Tanner moved to Paris, France, in 1891 to study, and continued to live there after being accepted in French artistic circles. His painting entitled Daniel in the Lions' Den was accepted into the 1896 Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

After his own self-study in art as a young man, Tanner enrolled in 1879 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. The only black student, he became a favorite of the painter Thomas Eakins, who had recently begun teaching there. Tanner made other connections among artists, including Robert Henri. In the late 1890s he was sponsored for a trip to the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem by Rodman Wanamaker, who was impressed by his paintings of biblical themes.

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Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture
Historical figure
Jyotirao Phule
Apr 11, 1827 - Nov 28, 1890

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was an Indian social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. His work extended to many fields, including eradication of untouchability and the caste system, and women's emancipation. He is mostly known for his efforts in educating women and lower caste people. He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were pioneers of women education in India. Phule started his first school for girls in 1848 in Pune at Tatyasaheb Bhide's residence or Bhidewada.

On 24 September 1873, he, along with his followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj to attain equal rights for people from lower castes. People from all religions and castes could become a part of this association which worked for the upliftment of the oppressed classes. Phule is regarded as an important figure in the social reform movement in Maharashtra.

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Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture
Historic event
Siege of Steenwijk

The Siege of Steenwijk was a siege that took place between 30 May - 5 July 1592 as part of the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo–Spanish War by a Dutch and English force under Maurice of Orange. By taking Steenwijk the Republic's army would take out one of the two main transport routes overland to the Drenthe capital of Groningen, the other lay at Coevorden. After a failed bombardment an assault was made in conjunction with the detonation of mines under important bastions and with two out of three successfully assaulted; the Spanish troops surrendered on 5 July 1592 and handed over the city to the Dutch and English army. This siege was one of the first in history to make use of pioneers as a separate military unit although they were still at the time regarded as soldiers.

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Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture