Up from the Ground
Cicada season is in bloom, as the noisy insects start emerging aboveground in what promises to be a banner year. The periodical cicadas that live in central areas of the U.S. have a 17-year cycle, but three southern species complete their development in 13 years. And this year, the largest of all periodical broods—the 13-year Brood XIX—is expected to emerge with the northern 17-year Brood XII, which could result in the appearance of more than one trillion insects.
Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Every 17 Years?
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How Do Cicadas Know When It’s Time to Emerge?
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Cicada Cacophony: How Do They Make That Sound?
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Updated Debates
The decision by Pres. Joe Biden and Donald Trump to hold two debates—one in June and the other in September—breaks with tradition in a few ways. The first debate will be held historically early, well before each party’s nominating convention. And for the first time in 36 years, the Commission on Presidential Debates won’t play a role. Then again, the history of presidential debates is surprisingly short—younger, in fact, than this year’s candidates.
Precursors
The storied Lincoln-Douglas Debates loom large in U.S. history, but they concerned a Senate race, not a presidential election. In 1940, Republican Wendell Wilkie challenged Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt to a debate, but Roosevelt turned him down. It wasn’t until 1960 that the first presidential debate was held, between Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon—a series of four televised events which many people believe tipped the scales in Kennedy’s favor.
Modern surge
It took 16 years for the next presidential debate to materialize. In 1976 Sen. Jimmy Carter challenged Pres. Gerald Ford to three debates. It didn’t go well for Ford, who during one debate insisted inexplicably that “there is no Soviet domination of eastern Europe,” a memorable gaffe. Every presidential election since then has featured debates, and every election since 1984 has included one for the vice presidential candidates.
Decommissioned
In 1987 the Commission on Presidential Debates was formed to sponsor the events and “ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.” However, this year’s debates will be sponsored by CNN and ABC. It’s an approach that both breaks from, and adheres to, tradition—the 1960 debates were also sponsored by television stations.
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The history of sneakers
Trainers, gym shoes, runners, tennis shoes. Whatever you call them, these simple shoes have become ubiquitous.
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It has the biggest eyes in the world, and can grow to more than 14 feet (4.2 meters), and 1,100 pounds (499 kg).
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