Seven Deadly Sins

pride, gluttony, melancholy (which was dropped in the 17th century in favor of sloth), lust, greed, envy, anger

opera

"La Traviata"
Verdi's opera is the story of the beautiful Parisian courtesan, Violetta, who falls in love with Alfredo. They set up house together, but his family's disapproval forces them apart. In the end, the lovers are briefly united, only to be separated again by death.

"Madame Butterfly"
Puccini's opera takes place at the turn of the 20th century in the pretty harbor town of Nagasaki. Cio-Cio-San marries a United States naval lieutenant, who then leaves her for three years. In the meantime, she has their child and names him "Trouble," waiting for the day when Lt. Pinkerton will return, and she will rename their son "Joy."

Some Ohio "Firsts"

In 1967 what Clevelander became the first black elected mayor of a major American city?
Answer: Carl B. Stokes (Cleveand)

Who in 1669 is believed to have been the first European explorer to visit the Ohio area?
Answer: La Salle

In 1922 she was the first woman in the nation to sit as a judge on a state supreme court.
Answer: Florence E. Allen

Native American Heritage

Ohio was home to five major American Indian tribes - the Delaware, Miami, Ottawa, Shawnee and Wyandot - plus several smaller tribes.

some names and their native ties:

Erie - From the Erie Indians, whose name means"cat" or "wildcat."

Miami - For the Miami tribe, whose principal village, Pickawillany, was in western Ohio

Scioto - From an Indian word "scionto" meaning "deer."

Chillicothe - The Shawnee word "Chalahgawtha" translates as "principal town" or "town at the leaning bank."

Ohio - From an Iroquois word for "beautiful river."

source The Columbus Dispatch November 19, 2008

Distinguished 18th century Shawnee chief Keigh-tugh-qua was known by what name to the white settlers? Answer: Cornstalk

In 1763 what Ottawa chief unsuccessfully attempted to unite Indian tribes in Ohio country to wipe out the whites west of the Alleghenies? Answer: Pontiac

Seneca John, chief of the Senecas, was executed in 1828 for what crime against his brother, Cornstalk? Answer: "Witchcraft murder"

What Mohawk Indian leader, born in Ohio Country in 1742, became a colonel in the British Army? Answer: Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant

Mersenne

A Mersenne number is a number that can be expressed in the form 2 to the nth -1. Searching for higher and higher Mersenne primes is the unofficial national sport of mathematicians. The 45th and 46th Mersenne primes were found in 2008. The 46th has almost 13 million digits.
source Time magazine November 10, 2008.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Opened 2008 on Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. It keeps seed samples. Even if the facility loses power, the Arctic climate should keep the seeds viable for thousands of years.
source Time magazine November 10, 2008

A Cappella

Italian "in chapel style" ancient form of singing without instrumental accompaniment.

see June 6, 2009, trivia