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Featured Article: Twice-born

The Upanayana sacred thread ceremony

In Hinduism, the highest three castes of Hindu society are known as the twice-born (Sanskrit द्विज : Dvija) because they have undergone the sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana), in which male members are initiated into the second stage of life (ashrama) of a Vedic follower. This sacred thread ceremony is considered to be a type of second birth.

Popular Article: Parliament Acts

Passing of the Parliament Bill, 1911

The Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 are two Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which form part of the constitution of the United Kingdom. The first Parliament Act of 1911 asserted the supremacy of the House of Commons by limiting the legislation-blocking powers of the House of Lords. Provided the provisions of the Act are met, legislation can be passed without the approval of the House of Lords. It also reduced the maximum permitted time between general elections from seven years to five years. The second Parliament Act of 1949 further limited the power of the Lords by reducing the time that they could delay bills, from two years to one.

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Napoleon's victory at the Battle of the Pyramids is attributed to his tactical innovation, the divisional square (source: Battle of the Pyramids)

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