Painful or hard effort. It can also refer to a woman in childbirth.
Travail
Fact of the Day
Before the Normans came along, there was no English word for 'castle'.
Quote of the Day
"You will live to have your bellyful of parliaments.
"
~ James I to his son, Charles
On This Day
1787 The 'First Fleet' of 11 ships carrying convicts to Australia left England.
1888 Slavery was abolished in Brazil.