THEY TRIED TO WIPE HER OUT OF HISTORY
THEY TRIED TO WIPE HER OUT OF HISTORY Don’t let the rain blur the vision you’re chasing. Anyone who rides German trains nowadays knows what it’s like to deal with unexpected stops and delays. But imagine how much worse it would be if just a bit of steady rain or snow meant a train had […]
Most working Germans can get paid to learn
Most working Germans can get paid to learn Federal and state holidays, sick days, annual leave – every adult in Germany knows about these kinds of paid time off. But most working Germans have another option they aren’t aware of that – yes – gives them time out of the office while still receiving their […]
Who speaks Europe’s oldest language?
Who speaks Europe’s oldest language? The Basques and their ancestors have occupied the same regions in modern-day northern Spain and southern France for centuries, likely millennia. But unlike many long-lived cultures, they’ve never had a country of their own. Perhaps in part because of this, many people today know very little about their fascinating culture […]
Should we change the clouds?
Should we change the clouds? In 1991 in the Philippines, a volcano named Mount Pinatubo blew its top. The second-largest volcanic event of the 20th century, the Pinatubo eruption left over 200,000 people without homes, caused more than a half-billion USD in damages, and killed hundreds. While the event caused enormous devastation, another consequence caught […]
A kooky cookie story
A kooky cookie story Picking and decorating a tree, mulled wine, negotiating who’s hosting the big family dinner: These are all things many of us find ourselves doing this time of year. But for us at TIP TOP (and likely many of you), one of the best parts of this festive season is all the […]
What’s worth more than gold?
What’s worth more than gold? Humans have mined the earth for metal and mineral resources for millennia. There is evidence of mining in southern Africa that dates back at least 45,000 years. In this month’s Learning Nugget, we dig into the topic of mining by exploring interesting and important mining sites across the world. […]
Top hats and automatons
Fancy dresses and automatons Men in three-piece suits and women in elegant dresses sit together at a large dinner table. They talk to each other in low, formal tones and eat their food with the proper fork and knife out of the many they have to choose from. When they drink wine, it’s from sparkling […]
Is this democracy?
Is this democracy? On November 5, 2024, voters in the United States will choose new political representatives and leaders for their states and the nation. Since the U.S. has the world’s largest economy and most powerful military, the world watches its elections very closely. But for a place whose leaders talk proudly about being a […]
The facts about shark attacks
The facts about shark attacks The total of confirmed shark attacks worldwide in 2023 was nearly triple the number recorded just over 50 years ago in 1973. We know, we know – bad timing. This isn’t the news you want just a few weeks away from packing up for your summer beach vacation. Still, the […]
THE WAR TO POWER THE WORLD
THE WAR TO POWER THE WORLD It was a war between two very different people. On one side was Thomas Edison, the millionaire and prolific inventor from the U.S. who had never finished high school or attended a university. On the other was Nikola Tesla, who was born in Croatia to Serbian parents and lived on the edge of bankruptcy […]