Boukephala and Nikaia were two cities founded by Alexander the Great on
either side of the Hydaspes river during his invasion of the Indian
subcontinent. The cities, two of many founded by Alexander, were built
shortly after his victory over the Indian king Porus at the Battle of
the Hydaspes in early 326 BC. It is not certain which settlement had
which name. Built on the site of the battlefield, the city on the
eastern bank was most likely called Nikaia, while its western companion
was probably named after Alexander's horse Bucephalus, who died during
or after the battle. Their construction was supervised by Craterus, one
of Alexander's leading generals. Boukephala seems to have had a more
distinguished legacy than Nikaia: it was mentioned by Roman authors and
appears on later manuscripts. The cities' precise locations are unknown,
but it is considered likely that Boukephala was located in the vicinity
of modern Jalalpur, Pakistan, and that Nikaia was across the river near
present-day Mong.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boukephala_and_Nikaia>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1878:
The state funeral of Mindon Min, who ruled Myanmar for 25
years, took place; his death was reportedly preceded by strange omens,
and his senior princes were unable to attend as they had all been
arrested.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_and_state_funeral_of_Mindon_Min>
1916:
Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland University 222–0 in the most
lopsided college football game in American history.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916_Cumberland_vs._Georgia_Tech_football_game>
1991:
Croatian War of Independence: The Yugoslav People's Army
conducted an air strike on Banski Dvori, the official residence of the
president of Croatia in Zagreb.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_the_Banski_Dvori>
2008:
2008 TC3 exploded above the Nubian Desert in Sudan, in the
first time that an asteroid impact had been predicted prior to
atmospheric entry.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_TC3>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
batten:
1. (transitive, obsolete)
2. To cause (an animal, etc.) to become fat or thrive through plenteous
feeding; to fatten.
3. (rare) To enrich or fertilize (land, soil, etc.).
4. (intransitive)
5. To become better; to improve in condition; especially of animals, by
feeding; to fatten up.
6. Of land, soil, etc.: to become fertile; also, of plants: to grow
lush.
7. (often passive voice) Followed by on: to eat greedily; to glut.
8. (figurative) Followed by on: to prosper or thrive, especially at the
expense of others.
9. (figurative) To gloat at; to revel in.
10. (figurative) To gratify a morbid appetite or craving.
11. To furnish (something) with battens (noun sense 1).
12. (chiefly nautical) Chiefly followed by down: to fasten or secure (a
hatch, opening, etc.) using battens (noun sense 2.2).
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/batten>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel
Peace Prize for 2023 to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the
oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and
freedom for all. Her brave struggle has come with tremendous personal
costs. Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her
five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154
lashes. … In awarding her this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the
Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour her courageous fight for
human rights, freedom, and democracy in Iran. This year’s Peace Prize
also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the
preceding year, have demonstrated against the theocratic regime’s
policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women. Only by
embracing equal rights for all can the world achieve the fraternity
between nations that Alfred Nobel sought to promote. The award to Narges
Mohammadi follows a long tradition in which the Norwegian Nobel
Committee has awarded the Peace Prize to those working to advance social
justice, human rights, and democracy. These are important preconditions
for lasting peace.
--Norwegian Nobel Committee
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Norwegian_Nobel_Committee>
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