Bats, of the order Chiroptera, are the only mammals capable of sustained
flight. Their wings, spread-out fingers covered by a thin membrane, make
them more manoeuvrable than birds. Bats range in size from Kitti's hog-
nosed bat, weighing 2–2.6 g (0.07–0.09 oz), to the giant golden-
crowned flying fox, up to 1.6 kg (4 lb) with a wingspan of up to
1.7 m (5 ft 7 in). The second largest order of mammals after rodents,
bats comprise about 20% of all mammal species, with over 1,200 species
distributed across the world. Most bats are nocturnal. They are mostly
insect- and fruit-eaters, but some are carnivorous, such as vampire
bats. Some are important for pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds;
others consume insect pests, reducing the need for pesticides. Bats
harbour the agents of many communicable diseases, such as rabies and
coronaviruses. They are often associated with darkness, malevolence,
vampires, and death.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1745:
Jacobite risings: Jacobite troops led by Charles Edward Stuart
defeated Hanoverian forces in Prestonpans, Scotland.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Prestonpans>
1965:
Portugal accepted a diplomatic mission from Southern Rhodesia
despite objections by Britain, which had required the colony to
implement black majority rule as a condition of independence.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_mission_in_Lisbon>
1996:
The Defense of Marriage Act was passed by the United States
Congress, prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriage, while
allowing states to adopt any marital definition of their choosing.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
olive branch:
1. A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace.
2. (figurative) Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary
to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace. [...]
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/olive_branch>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
What fascinates me — mesmerizes me — isn't so much Trump
himself as the American government he's crafted: a major world power
with no policy, no consistency, and no idea what it's doing.
--Stephen King
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_King>