The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–1914), headed by Douglas
Mawson, explored the largely uncharted coast of Antarctica due south of
Australia. Mawson was inspired to lead his own venture by his
experiences on Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod expedition in 1907–1909.
During its time in Antarctica, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition's
sledging parties covered around 2,600 miles (4,180 km) of unexplored
territory. Its ship, SY Aurora (pictured), navigated 1,800 miles
(2,900 km) of unmapped coastline. Scientific activities included
meteorological measurements, magnetic observations, an expansive
oceanographic program, and the collection of many biological and
geological samples, including the discovery of the first meteorite found
in Antarctica. The expedition was the first to establish and maintain
wireless contact between Antarctica and Australia. Its broad exploration
program laid the groundwork for Australia's later territorial claims in
Antarctica.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_Antarctic_Expedition>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1799:
War of the Second Coalition: Austrian forces defeated troops of
the French Army of the Danube, capturing the strategically important
Swiss town of Winterthur.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Winterthur>
1917:
Pope Benedict XV promulgated the Pio-Benedictine Code, the
first official comprehensive codification of Latin canon law.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1917_Code_of_Canon_Law>
1940:
World War II: Ninety-seven soldiers of the British Royal
Norfolk Regiment were executed after surrendering to German forces.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre>
1995:
American actor Christopher Reeve was thrown from his horse,
leaving him quadriplegic; he later became an activist on behalf of
people with spinal cord injuries.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Reeve>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
gouge:
1. (transitive) To make a groove, hole, or mark in by scooping with or
as if with a gouge.
2. (transitive) To cheat or impose upon; in particular, to charge an
unfairly or unreasonably high price.
3. (transitive, intransitive) To dig or scoop (something) out with or as
if with a gouge; in particular, to use a thumb to push or try to push
the eye (of a person) out of its socket.
4. (intransitive) To use a gouge.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gouge>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
There are certain injustices in this life you’ve got to do
something about. You can’t just say that you can’t fight it, or
it’s too much trouble, or that you don’t have the time or the
effort, or that you can’t win. Forget all that. Fight them all!
--Harlan Ellison
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison>