Smartful
Learn something every day
Word
Fun facts
Artist
Historical figure
Historic event

December 12, 2024
Dec 12, 2024
Word
vernal
adjective
Definition
  1. of, relating to, or occurring in the spring
  2. fresh or new like the spring; also : youthful
Example
This time of the year, I enjoy getting out for morning walks to take in the crisp, clean vernal air.
Origin
If you want to sound sophisticated this spring, you can do what various learned individuals have done since the 16th century and refer to the spring equinox as the vernal equinox. You might also alter a classic rhyme to chant "Vernal showers bring May flowers." Or if you really want to wax poetic, you could compliment your lass's vernal grace or your beau's vernal charm. If you do, and your sweetheart asks where such a word comes from, you can further impress by saying, "'Vernal,' my dear, comes from the Latin 'vernalis,' which is derived from the Latin word for spring, 'ver.'"
Webster's Dictionary
Fun facts
  1. Each year, the average person walks the distance from NY to Miami.
  2. You burn more calories sleeping than watching TV.
Snapple's under-the-cap 'Real Facts'
Artist
Hélio Oiticica
Jul 26, 1937 - Mar 22, 1980

Hélio Oiticica was a Brazilian visual artist, sculptor, painter, performance artist, and theorist, best known for his participation in the Neo-Concrete Movement, for his innovative use of color, and for what he later termed "environmental art", which included Parangolés and Penetrables, like the famous Tropicália. Oiticica was also a filmmaker and writer.

Learn more »
Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture
Historical figure
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Jul 4, 1807 - Jun 2, 1882

Giuseppe Maria Garibaldi was an Italian general, patriot, and republican. He contributed to the Italian unification and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy.

He is considered to be one of Italy's "fathers of the fatherland", along with Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, Victor Emmanuel II of Italy and Giuseppe Mazzini. Garibaldi is also known as the "Hero of the Two Worlds" because of his military enterprises in South America and Europe.

Garibaldi was a follower of the Italian nationalist Mazzini, and embraced the republican nationalism of the Young Italy movement. He became a supporter of Italian unification under a democratic Republican government. After participating in an uprising in Piedmont, he was sentenced to death, but escaped by sailing to South America; he spent 14 years in exile, taking part in several wars and learning the art of guerrilla warfare.

Learn more »
Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture
Historic event
Battle of Plymouth

The Battle of Plymouth was a naval battle in the First Anglo-Dutch War. It took place on 16 August 1652 and was a short battle, but had the unexpected outcome of a Dutch victory over England. General-at-Sea George Ayscue of the Commonwealth of England attacked an outward bound convoy of the Dutch Republic commanded by Vice-Commodore Michiel de Ruyter. The two commanders had been personal friends before the war.

The Dutch were able to force Ayscue to break off the engagement, and the Dutch convoy sailed safely to the Atlantic while Ayscue sailed to Plymouth for repairs.

Learn more »
Wikipedia, Google Arts & Culture