Laika (c. 1954 – 1957) was one of the first animals in space and
the first animal to orbit Earth. A stray mongrel from Moscow, she was
selected as the occupant of Sputnik 2 which launched into low orbit on
3 November 1957. The mission aimed to prove that a living passenger
could survive being launched into orbit and endure a micro-g
environment, leading to human spaceflight and providing data on how
living organisms react to spaceflight environments. Laika died within
hours from overheating, possibly caused by a failure of the central R-7
sustainer to separate from the payload. The true cause and time of her
death were not made public until 2002; instead, it was reported that she
died when her oxygen ran out on day six or, as the Soviet government
initially claimed, she was euthanised prior to oxygen depletion. On 11
April 2008, a monument to Laika was unveiled near the military research
facility that prepared her flight to space. She also appears on the
Monument to the Conquerors of Space.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1881:
Indigenous Mapuche began an uprising against the occupation of
Araucanía by Chile.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapuche_uprising_of_1881>
1942:
World War II: U.S. Marines and U.S. Army forces began an
attempt to encircle and destroy a regiment of Imperial Japanese Army
troops on Guadalcanal.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koli_Point_action>
1943:
The Holocaust: The largest massacre of Jews by German forces
began at Majdanek concentration camp (execution trenches pictured).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Harvest_Festival>
1954:
The first film featuring the giant monster known as Godzilla
was released nationwide in Japan.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
helm:
1. (nautical) To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel);
to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
2. (figuratively) To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an
organization).
3. (nautical) The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used
to control the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering
apparatus of a vessel.
4. (by extension)
5. (nautical) The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space
through which a helm is turned.
6. (nautical) The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the
vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
7. Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a
tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
8. (figuratively)
9. A position of control or leadership.
10. One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a
director, a guide. [...]
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/helm>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The vital energies regulate themselves naturally without
compulsive duty or compulsive morality — both of which are sure signs
of existing antisocial impulses.
--Wilhelm Reich
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Reich>
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