Ramadan, March Madness, and Caesar's True Betrayer

What's Ramadan all about?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest period in the Muslim year. It is observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer, Quran recitation, self-reflection, and charitable giving, while also cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion. Roughly 1.9 billion people across more than 180 countries observe Ramadan, one of the five foundational pillars of Islam. Its origins trace to 610 CE, the year Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad first received the Quran's revelations during this month in the Cave of Hira outside Mecca (read the story). 
 

Communities come to life at night as the breaking of the fast—the meal called "iftar—becomes one of the most communal moments of the year (and, in some areas, a major TV event). Ramadan's timing is governed by lunar visibility rather than fixed dates, meaning it officially begins only when a new crescent moon is spotted in the western sky after sunset, which varies by geography. Since 12 moon cycles are approximately 11 days shorter than a solar year, Ramadan occurs roughly 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year (2030 will see two Ramadans).
 

Ramadan's spiritual peak comes on Laylat al-Qadr—typically a few days before the end of the lunar month—the commemoration of Muhammad's "night of power," when he received the first Quranic message from the angel Gabriel. The month ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the first day of the following month, Shawwal.

... Read what else we learned about Ramadan here.

Also, check out ... 

> What's involved in sighting the moon during Ramadan? (Read)

> How Muslims in the Arctic manage fasting during 20-hour days. (Read)

> Watch a crash course on the basic tenets of Islam. (Watch)

> One NBA star won Player of the Month while fasting during Ramadan. (Read)

In partnership with Noom

The Smaller Start to GLP-1s

By now, most people have heard of GLP-1 medications for weight loss—but jumping straight into a full dosing schedule can feel like a lot. That’s why Noom is taking a different approach: Microdosing.

Noom’s Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program is designed to help you ease into GLP-1 treatment with a lower-dose, personalized plan that’s gentler on your body, and more affordable (starting at $99¹). Even better? Participants have seen results of up to 17 pounds lost in 60 days². Paired with Noom’s evidence-based behavior change platform, the program supports sustainable progress—not just quick wins.

Take the quick quiz to find out if this personalized GLP-1 approach could work for you.

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A brief history of the Academy Awards

Often called the Oscars after the eponymous gold statue, the Academy Awards are an annual ceremony recognizing artistic and technical merit in the film industry. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vote for winners across a range of categories, including acting, cinematography, sound design, and more.

AMPAS was founded in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM Studios, as a way of managing labor disputes and the public image of the film industry.

More than 3,000 Oscars have been awarded overall. Walt Disney has taken home more than any other individual, with 26 wins, while "Ben-Hur," "Titanic," and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" are the most-awarded films with 11 Oscars apiece.

... Read our full explainer on the Academy Awards here.

Also, check out ... 

> Best picture is selected through a ranked choice voting process. (Watch)

> How films become eligible for nominations. (Read)

> See a list of the youngest Oscar winners. (Read)

> Revisiting Will Smith's 2022 slap, and other iconic Oscar controversies. (Read)

March Madness, explained

"March Madness" is the well-known name for the NCAA's annual Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, which determine national champions through a 68-team, single-elimination format. Automatic bids go to 31 conference winners, while 37 at-large selections fill the field. The high-stakes structure—where smaller "Cinderella" schools can upset powerhouses—drives huge viewership and revenue; TV and marketing rights account for roughly two-thirds of the NCAA's $1.4B income in fiscal 2024.

The National Invitation Tournament started in 1938, but the NCAA's rival event became more prominent after a 1951 points-shaving scandal damaged the NIT. Growth from eight teams in 1939 to 68 today increased competitiveness and national coverage, supported by television milestones in the 1960s and multiple conference bids starting in 1975. Title IX (1972) changed the landscape, leading to the NCAA women's championship in 1982 and—decades later—record audiences, such as the 18.7 million viewers for the 2024 women's final.

Beyond the court, March Madness is both a cultural and commercial phenomenon. Office pools and online bracket contests—now numbering in the tens of millions—combine fandom with the chance of improbable outcomes (a perfect bracket's odds: one in 9.2 quintillion). The excitement of buzzer-beaters, historic upsets, and shared rituals has made the tournament a springtime event that brings together casual viewers and passionate fans alike.

... Read our full write-up on March Madness here.

Also, check out ... 

> Learn about the surprisingly poetic origins of the phrase "March Madness." (Read)

> How the 1979 National Championship game between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson changed college basketball. (Watch)

> Read about the makings of a legendary buzzer-beater. (Explore)
> Hear about the betting scandal that rocked college basketball in the 1950s. (Read)

In partnership with Noom

Can a Smaller GLP-1 Dose Work?

That’s the thinking behind Noom’s Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program—a new way to approach GLP-1 weight loss with lower, personalized dosing designed to fit your body and your goals.

The program pairs GLP-1 medication with Noom’s proven behavior-change platform, helping people build healthier habits while seeing real progress. In fact, some participants have lost up to 17 pounds in 60 days² using this tailored approach. Take Noom’s quick quiz to find out if you’re eligible for the Microdose GLP-1^Rx Program.

Please support our sponsors!

Best of the Week

We added 358 resources this week to our knowledge collective—share your favorite link or outlet with us to see it featured here next week!

Caesar's true betrayer wasn't Brutus but Decimus, a conspirator history forgot. (Read)

A roundup of this year's Oscar snubs currently streaming. (Read)

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Why it's called Formula 1—and everything else we learned about the sport at the start of the 2026 season. (Explore)

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How Elizabethan courtiers used mini-portraits to flirt. (Read)

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... and thank you to readers for sending in the stellar finds below.  

Chatbot "context rot" can be fixed by starting new chats more often. (Read) 

Ten writers and thinkers on the privilege of aging. (Read)

A visually stunning weather map showing the motion of wind, rain, and more. (Visualize)

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Spin the globe and stream live radio from anywhere on Earth. (Listen)

🎓 1440 Explores ... The Real Price of College

Historybook: The Ides of March: Julius Caesar assassinated by Brutus (44 BCE); President Andrew Jackson born (1767); Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg born (1933); Terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, kills 51 (2019).