“A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery” | Joseph Wright (1766)
Most nations follow the day/month/year format (07/01/19 for January 7, 2019, for example), but the United States adheres to its own format of month/day/year (1/7/19 or 1/7/2019). The potential for misinterpreting dates across national boundaries is the logic for ISO 8601:2019 – Data Elements And Interchange Formats – Information Interchange – Representation Of Dates And Times, the ISO format for dates represents year, month, and day from the largest unit to the smallest, most specific unit of time. The ISO date format is the date format used in SQL and is the default date setting on many computers.
“Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May” John Herrick | John William Waterhouse
“The Sound of Noon” on the Charlottesville Campus
University of New Hampshire
Good luck to all those helping to move their student in to UoB accommodation this weekend! It will be a busy time with lots of students moving in, but there will be lots of support on the day, so just ask!
There’s also lots to do on campus too so come along & have a wander around pic.twitter.com/xZHG3RA2z4
Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” is a choral cycle based on the poems of Robert Frost. The cycle consists of settings for mixed chorus and piano, and it was premiered in 1959. “Frostiana” was commissioned to celebrate the bicentennial of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, and it features seven of Frost’s poems set to music by Thompson.
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is one of the poems included in the “Frostiana” cycle. The composition captures the reflective and contemplative mood of Frost’s poem, where the narrator pauses to admire the beauty of a snowy evening in a quiet forest. Randall Thompson’s musical setting adds another layer to Frost’s words, enhancing the emotional impact of the poem.
Thompson’s approach in “Frostiana” is characterized by its accessibility and tonal clarity. His settings aim to convey the meaning and atmosphere of Frost’s poetry through the expressive power of choral music. The entire “Frostiana” cycle is a celebration of both Thompson’s skill as a composer and Frost’s enduring contribution to American literature.
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
By Robert Frost
This is one of my favourite English poems. It is vivid, melancholic, and wistful. The imagery and the final lines have stuck with me for years.
Haggis is Scotland’s ancestral meal — a savory pudding made from sheep’s pluck (heart, liver, and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and stock, traditionally encased in a sheep’s stomach (now often artificial) and boiled. It is typically served with “neeps and tatties” (mashed turnips and potatoes). Usually “observed” on Hogmanay (Scots New Year) it symbolizes resourcefulness, using humble offal for a nourishing meal, and national pride.
If you’re staying on or near campus during the winter break, we have pulled together this useful list of available services to help you during this time. 📅🎄https://t.co/tMMjugUsJapic.twitter.com/N68nWnqoxK
The Pilgrims at the 1621 Plymouth harvest celebration almost certainly had a morning drink, and it was very likely beer. Here’s the evidence from primary sources and historical context:
Beer was the standard breakfast beverage for English people in the early 17th century, including the Pilgrims (many of whom were Separatists from Scrooby, England). Water was often unsafe or distrusted, especially in new settlements, so even children and pregnant women drank “small beer” (low-alcohol, around 1–3% ABV).
The Mayflower’s cargo manifest and passenger accounts show they brought large quantities of beer. Edward Winslow’s letter (December 1621) mentions they were running dangerously low on beer by late 1621, implying it was a daily staple they were rationing.
William Bradford (governor of Plymouth) wrote in Of Plymouth Plantation that when the Mayflower arrived, the crew was anxious to leave because their beer was nearly gone—they considered beer essential for health and survival.
On the day of the 1621 harvest celebration itself, the Wampanoag guests (90+ men) arrived unexpectedly. The English served what beverages they had, and surviving accounts suggest beer was among them (along with whatever distilled spirits or wine remained).
The MIL-SPEC catalog and its evolution have had a significant impact on various industries beyond the military sector. Many civilian industries have adopted military standards as a benchmark for quality, reliability, and compatibility in their products and processes.
World War II Era:
The MIL-SPEC system traces its roots back to the World War II era when the U.S. military faced challenges in coordinating manufacturing efforts across multiple suppliers. To address these challenges, the military began developing specifications and standards that detailed the requirements for various equipment and materials, including dimensions, materials, performance criteria, and testing procedures.
Post-World War II:
After World War II, the MIL-SPEC catalog expanded significantly to cover a wide range of military equipment, ranging from electronics and aircraft components to clothing and food supplies. The standards were continuously updated and revised based on technological advancements, lessons learned, and evolving military needs.
Evolution into MIL-STD:
In the 1950s and 1960s, the MIL-SPEC system evolved into the Military Standard (MIL-STD) system to provide even more comprehensive and detailed specifications. MIL-STD documents incorporated a broader scope of requirements, including design criteria, quality control processes, and test methodologies. The MIL-STD system aimed to ensure consistent design and manufacturing practices across contractors and suppliers.
MIL-STD Transition to Commercial Standards:
Over time, the reliance on MIL-STDs started to decline, and there was a shift towards adopting commercial standards whenever possible. This transition allowed the military to benefit from the advancements and cost efficiencies of commercial technologies. However, certain critical military-specific standards, such as those related to security and specialized equipment, continued to be maintained within the MIL-STD framework.
DoD’s Transition to Performance-Based Specifications:
In recent years, the DoD has been moving away from prescriptive specifications (MIL-STDs) towards performance-based specifications. Performance-based specifications focus on defining the desired outcomes and performance requirements while allowing contractors greater flexibility in meeting those requirements. This approach encourages innovation, cost-effectiveness, and broader industry participation in military contracts.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
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