Enrico Fermi (1901–1954) was an Italian-American physicist who was
awarded the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics. He created the world's first
nuclear reactor, Chicago Pile-1, and is one of 16 scientists who have
elements named after them. One of the few physicists to excel in both
theoretical and experimental work, he made significant contributions to
quantum theory, statistical mechanics, and nuclear and particle physics.
He helped formulate the Fermi–Dirac statistics for particles that obey
Wolfgang Pauli's exclusion principle, called "fermions". His theory of
beta decay correctly predicted that a particle he named the "neutrino"
would be emitted along with an electron, satisfying the law of
conservation of energy. He left Italy in 1938 to escape the Italian
Racial Laws that affected his Jewish wife Laura, and emigrated to the
United States. He worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II,
but later opposed development of the hydrogen bomb on moral and
technical grounds.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrico_Fermi>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1898:
The Spanish–American War ended with the signing of the Treaty
of Paris, with Spain recognizing the independence of Cuba; and ceding
Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the United States.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_%281898%29>
1907:
During the Brown Dog affair, about 1,000 protesters marched
through London and then clashed with 400 police officers in Trafalgar
Square over the existence of a memorial for animals that had been
vivisected.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Dog_affair>
1942:
Edward Raczyński of the Polish government-in-exile issued a
note that was the first official report on the Holocaust.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raczy%C5%84ski%27s_Note>
1978:
Starring Christopher Reeve in the title role, Superman, the
first big-budget Superman film, premiered in Washington, D.C.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_%281978_film%29>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
deperm:
(transitive, chiefly nautical) To degauss or demagnetize; especially, to
degauss a ship by dragging a large powered electrical cable along its
side.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deperm>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal
and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the
foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas
disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts
which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world
in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and
freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration
of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be
compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against
tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the
rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of
friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United
Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human
rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal
rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress
and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States
have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United
Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human
rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of
these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full
realization of this pledge, Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common
standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that
every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration
constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote
respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures,
national and international, to secure their universal and effective
recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States
themselves and among the peoples of territories under their
jurisdiction. Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and
should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction
shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or
international status of the country or territory to which a person
belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under
any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3. Everyone has the right
to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4. No one shall be
held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be
prohibited in all their forms. Article 5. No one shall be subjected to
torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person
before the law. Article 7. All are equal before the law and are
entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All
are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation
of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
--Universal Declaration of Human Rights
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights>