The Hunger Games is a 2008 science fiction novel by the American writer Suzanne Collins (pictured). It is written in the voice of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America. The Capitol, a highly advanced metropolis, exercises political control over the rest of the nation. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12–18 from each of the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death. In writing the novel, Collins drew upon Greek mythology, Roman gladiatorial games, and contemporary reality television for thematic content. The novel won many awards, including the California Young Reader Medal, and was named one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year" in 2008. Since its release, The Hunger Games has been translated into 26 languages, and publishing rights have been sold in 38 territories. The novel is the first in The Hunger Games trilogy, followed by Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010). A film adaptation, directed by Gary Ross and co- written and co-produced by Collins herself, was released in 2012.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
81:
Domitian became the last Flavian emperor of Rome, succeeding his brother Titus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domitian
1763:
About 300 Seneca warriors during Pontiac's Rebellion attacked a British Army detachment, killing 81 soldiers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Devil%27s_Hole
1926:
The Locarno Treaties establishing post-First World War territorial settlements were formally ratified by the signatory nations and came into effect. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locarno_Treaties
1979:
Afghan President Nur Muhammad Taraki was assassinated upon the order of Hafizullah Amin, who became the new president. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nur_Muhammad_Taraki
2008:
All 88 people aboard Aeroflot Flight 821 died when the aircraft crashed on approach to Perm Airport in Perm Krai, Russia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroflot_Flight_821
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
torrefy: To subject to intense heat. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/torrefy
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The old phrase, "Government of the people, by the people, for the people", represents a true ideal. It is best for the people as a whole. It is even more clearly the best for the development of the individual man and woman. And since in the end, the character and the prosperity of the nation depend on the character of the individuals that compose it, the form of government which best promotes individual development is the best for the people as a whole. --Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Cecil,_1st_Viscount_Cecil_of_Chelwood