Trivia Today
- Thread starter historylover
- Start date
RANDOM TIDBITS
There are over 60 communities throughout the United States
that have their own form of local currency. California has
the most communities with their own currency, including
many popular colleges like Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
***
A quarter has 119 grooves on its edge, one more than a dime.
The reason the mint started using ridges was to prevent
counterfeit and devaluing of the coin.
***
A penny weighs 2.5 grams, which is the average weight of a
humming bird. A can of soda has four pennies worth of sugar.
***
America once issued a 5-cent bill during the civil war to
combat the coin shortage at the time.
***
There is more Monopoly money printed in a year, than real
money printed throughout the world. The amount of money in
a Monopoly game is $15,140.
***
The United States Government used to keep its supply of
silver at the United States Military Academy, West Point,
New York. It now only keeps on hand enough for minting
purposes.
There are over 60 communities throughout the United States
that have their own form of local currency. California has
the most communities with their own currency, including
many popular colleges like Berkeley and Santa Barbara.
***
A quarter has 119 grooves on its edge, one more than a dime.
The reason the mint started using ridges was to prevent
counterfeit and devaluing of the coin.
***
A penny weighs 2.5 grams, which is the average weight of a
humming bird. A can of soda has four pennies worth of sugar.
***
America once issued a 5-cent bill during the civil war to
combat the coin shortage at the time.
***
There is more Monopoly money printed in a year, than real
money printed throughout the world. The amount of money in
a Monopoly game is $15,140.
***
The United States Government used to keep its supply of
silver at the United States Military Academy, West Point,
New York. It now only keeps on hand enough for minting
purposes.
Actually, I had learned that the ridge dates back to the Roman Empire when people used to scrape the edges of coins to add to their personal stashes of gold. The emperor ordered coins to be made with a ridge to prevent people from scraping coins and lowering their value.
RANDOM TIDBITS
The battle began when Mexico was attacked by France and
other European countries because it stopped paying interest
to its creditors. The French army outnumbered the Mexican
army 2 to 1, was better equipped, and had not been defeated
in nearly 50 years before this historic date.
***
Despite the victory on May 5, France later went on to occupy
Mexico in 1863. They ruled there until they voluntarily
withdrew after US pressure in 1866-1867.
***
The holiday is celebrated mostly in Puebla and sporadically
throughout the rest of the country. Celebration activities
include food, music, and dancing.
***
In the United States, the holiday is essentially a day to
celebrate Mexican culture and is celebrated widely across
the country. Celebrations include dancing, food, music, and
special events to spotlight the culture.
***
The first Cinco de Mayo in the US was celebrated in 1967
when a group of California State University students
realized there was no Chicano celebration in the country.
***
The largest Cinco de Mayo festival is the Festival de
Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles, CA. More than 600,000
people attend. Other major festivals are held in Denver
and St. Paul's, MN.
The battle began when Mexico was attacked by France and
other European countries because it stopped paying interest
to its creditors. The French army outnumbered the Mexican
army 2 to 1, was better equipped, and had not been defeated
in nearly 50 years before this historic date.
***
Despite the victory on May 5, France later went on to occupy
Mexico in 1863. They ruled there until they voluntarily
withdrew after US pressure in 1866-1867.
***
The holiday is celebrated mostly in Puebla and sporadically
throughout the rest of the country. Celebration activities
include food, music, and dancing.
***
In the United States, the holiday is essentially a day to
celebrate Mexican culture and is celebrated widely across
the country. Celebrations include dancing, food, music, and
special events to spotlight the culture.
***
The first Cinco de Mayo in the US was celebrated in 1967
when a group of California State University students
realized there was no Chicano celebration in the country.
***
The largest Cinco de Mayo festival is the Festival de
Fiesta Broadway in Los Angeles, CA. More than 600,000
people attend. Other major festivals are held in Denver
and St. Paul's, MN.
Something that really bothers me about the Cinco de Mayo celebration in the US is that they took a minor Mexican holiday (schools have regular classes that day, save for the morning remembrances in the schoolyard. Banks are closed on that day, but, then again, banks probably closed the day after Michael Jackson died) and turned it into something major. I have met many American-born Mexicans who grow up thinking that May 5th is Mexican independence day. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
RANDOM TIDBITS
LEGO creater Ole Kirk Christiansen's company originally
sold and made wooden stepladders and ironing boards. In
1932, he started making wooden toys that were so popular
he decided to sell them exclusively. The name LEGO means
"play well" in Danish.
***
In 1949, LEGO acquired the design rights to a self-locking
building block created by Kiddicraft in the U.K. Originally
named Automatic Binding Bricks, there was a name change in
1953 to LEGO Bricks and the name LEGO is imprinted on all
the bricks.
***
In the 1950s LEGO grew to include building sets, vehicles
and assorted props to help create buildings and towns. A
new patent in 1958 made the brick sturdier and flexible
with a tube on the bottom of the LEGO brick.
***
Lego pieces of all varieties are a part of a universal
system. Lego bricks from 1958 still interlock with those
made in 2009, and Lego sets for young children are
compatible with those made for teenagers.
***
The Lego Group's motto is "Only the best is good enough",
a free translation of the Danish phrase Kun det bedste er
godt nok. This motto was created by Ole Kirk to encourage
his employees never to skimp on quality, a value he
believed in strongly. The motto is still used within the
company today.
***
Four billion LEGO mini-figures have been made since 1978.
Four hundred billion bricks have been produced since 1958.
LEGO creater Ole Kirk Christiansen's company originally
sold and made wooden stepladders and ironing boards. In
1932, he started making wooden toys that were so popular
he decided to sell them exclusively. The name LEGO means
"play well" in Danish.
***
In 1949, LEGO acquired the design rights to a self-locking
building block created by Kiddicraft in the U.K. Originally
named Automatic Binding Bricks, there was a name change in
1953 to LEGO Bricks and the name LEGO is imprinted on all
the bricks.
***
In the 1950s LEGO grew to include building sets, vehicles
and assorted props to help create buildings and towns. A
new patent in 1958 made the brick sturdier and flexible
with a tube on the bottom of the LEGO brick.
***
Lego pieces of all varieties are a part of a universal
system. Lego bricks from 1958 still interlock with those
made in 2009, and Lego sets for young children are
compatible with those made for teenagers.
***
The Lego Group's motto is "Only the best is good enough",
a free translation of the Danish phrase Kun det bedste er
godt nok. This motto was created by Ole Kirk to encourage
his employees never to skimp on quality, a value he
believed in strongly. The motto is still used within the
company today.
***
Four billion LEGO mini-figures have been made since 1978.
Four hundred billion bricks have been produced since 1958.
I've probably bought a good 10% of those, especially after they started making Star Wars Legos.
RANDOM TIDBITS
In 1998, Hurricane George hit Gulfport, Mississippi,
blowing a cat named Big Boy up into a big oak tree. Three
years later, Big Boy's owner said the cat never left the
tree. The feline eats, sleeps, and climbs the branches for
exercise!
***
More than 37 years old at the time of her death, Cream Puff
is recognized as the oldest cat to have ever lived. In
human years, she was about 165 years old when she died.
***
In 1952, Texan kitty Dusty set the record for birthing more
kittens than any other cat in history. Dusty had more than
420 kittens before her last litter at age 18.
***
In Scotland, a tortoiseshell tabby named Towser was
reported to have slain 28,899 mice throughout her 21 years
-- an average of about four mice per day.
***
Though this Blue Point Himalayan died in 1997, this cat
still holds the record for being the smallest cat ever.
Tinker Toy was just 2.75 inches tall and 7.5 inches long
and weighed about one pound eight ounces.
***
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the
heaviest cat in recorded history was an Australian kitty
named Himmy that reportedly weighed more than 46 pounds in
1986.
In 1998, Hurricane George hit Gulfport, Mississippi,
blowing a cat named Big Boy up into a big oak tree. Three
years later, Big Boy's owner said the cat never left the
tree. The feline eats, sleeps, and climbs the branches for
exercise!
***
More than 37 years old at the time of her death, Cream Puff
is recognized as the oldest cat to have ever lived. In
human years, she was about 165 years old when she died.
***
In 1952, Texan kitty Dusty set the record for birthing more
kittens than any other cat in history. Dusty had more than
420 kittens before her last litter at age 18.
***
In Scotland, a tortoiseshell tabby named Towser was
reported to have slain 28,899 mice throughout her 21 years
-- an average of about four mice per day.
***
Though this Blue Point Himalayan died in 1997, this cat
still holds the record for being the smallest cat ever.
Tinker Toy was just 2.75 inches tall and 7.5 inches long
and weighed about one pound eight ounces.
***
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the
heaviest cat in recorded history was an Australian kitty
named Himmy that reportedly weighed more than 46 pounds in
1986.
RANDOM TIDBITS
The Sega Dreamcast was the first console to implement
online play over a phone line, calling the system Sega Net.
Popular Science recognized the Sega Dreamcast as one of
the most important and innovative products of 1999.
***
The PlayStation 2 was the first system to have graphics
capability better than that of the leading-edge personal
computer at the time of its release.
***
The Nintendo N64 marked the first time that computer
graphics workstation manufacturer Silicon Graphics Inc.
(SGI) developed game hardware technology.
***
The first console to have games available in the form of
add-on cartridges was the Fairchild Channel F console,
introduced in August 1976.
***
The word atari comes from the ancient Japanese game of Go
and means "you are about to be engulfed." Technically, it
is the word used by a player to inform his opponent that he
or she is about to lose, similar to "check" in chess.
***
The Sega Genesis featured a version of the same Motorola
processor that powered the original Apple Macintosh
computer.
The Sega Dreamcast was the first console to implement
online play over a phone line, calling the system Sega Net.
Popular Science recognized the Sega Dreamcast as one of
the most important and innovative products of 1999.
***
The PlayStation 2 was the first system to have graphics
capability better than that of the leading-edge personal
computer at the time of its release.
***
The Nintendo N64 marked the first time that computer
graphics workstation manufacturer Silicon Graphics Inc.
(SGI) developed game hardware technology.
***
The first console to have games available in the form of
add-on cartridges was the Fairchild Channel F console,
introduced in August 1976.
***
The word atari comes from the ancient Japanese game of Go
and means "you are about to be engulfed." Technically, it
is the word used by a player to inform his opponent that he
or she is about to lose, similar to "check" in chess.
***
The Sega Genesis featured a version of the same Motorola
processor that powered the original Apple Macintosh
computer.
My turn to post random trivia.
CELEBRITY PHOBIAS AND OBSESSIONS
[nobabe]
Cameron Diaz: Afraid of Door Handles
Cameron Diaz may seem carefree in most of her movies, but the "Charlie's Angels" star gets grossed out by door handles and refuses to touch them with her bare hands. Instead, she uses her elbows to turn the knobs. While she claims she's not a germaphobe, she sounds like one to us. Cameron's in good company, however, as there are many celebrities who've confessed to strange phobias and obsessions through the years.
************
Whoopi Goldberg: Afraid of Flying
Whoopi Goldberg seems to have her act together. Currently the moderator on "The View," Whoopi is an Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe, and Emmy-winning actress and comedian, and she seems genuinely loved and respected by her peers. But up until recently, Whoopi had a debilitating fear of flying and would travel across country in her own bus when she needed to go coast to coast. When Goldberg's "Sister Act" became a musical and was set to debut in London's West End, it became clear that the bus was not an option. She agreed to have representatives from Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear program help her address her phobia. And not only has Whoopi gone to London to support her show, she's also made surprise visits to her family and trips to Las Vegas to perform at the Encore Theater (which had been dark since the unexpected death of headliner Danny Gans).
************
Billy Bob Thornton: Afraid of Antiques
It's not surprising that Billy Bob Thornton is a quirky guy (do we have to remind everyone that he and his ex-wife Angelina Jolie used to wear vials of each other's blood around their necks?), but B.B. has a phobia that's even odd by his standards. The actor says he's "creeped out" by antique furniture, and not so much American antiques as French Antiques. Billy is so fearful of being near the "castle-y" (as he calls them) artifacts that he says he can't sleep or eat near them and makes sure to call ahead to hotels to ensure that there are none in his suite before he checks in.
************
Daniel Radcliffe: Afraid of Clowns
You'd think a guy who's gone head-to-head with Dementors and He Who Shall Not Be Named wouldn't be afraid of anything anymore. But Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the world's most powerful wizard, has a fear of clowns. And he's not the only famous coulrophobic star: Johnny Depp and P. Diddy dread the circus entertainers, too.
************
Nicole Kidman: Afraid of Butterflies
You'd think a delicate actress like Nicole Kidman would find beauty in the fragility of a butterfly. But she's actually terrified of them. Growing up in the Australian countryside, Nic says she would sometimes come home from school to find a giant butterfly on her front gate, and she'd take a circuitous route over the fence and around the side of the house to avoid the insect. As an adult she's gone so far as to walk into the American Museum of Natural History's butterfly cage and allow the butterflies to cover her. But she still can't shake the fear.
************
Sarah Michelle Gellar: Afraid of Graveyards
Oh, the irony. Sarah Michelle Gellar, the star of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has a fear of graveyards and admits that she's had nightmares of being buried alive. Lucky for her, the set-dressing wizards on "Buffy" were able to create phony grave sites so that Gellar never had to shoot in a real cemetery.
************
Madonna: Afraid of Thunder
If Lourdes, Rocco, David, and Mercy James get freaked out by thunder and lighting storms, they're going to have to sing "My Favorite Things" all by themselves. Their mother, Madonna, probably wouldn't be of much use helping the kids get over any anxiety about nature's racket: the Material Girl is profoundly afraid of thunder.
************
Christina Ricci: Afraid of Indoor Plants
If you're going over to Christina Ricci's place and want to bring a little hostess gift, get her a bottle of wine or a nice scented candle. Do NOT get her a houseplant. She's notoriously afraid of indoor greenery, calling the plants dirty and allegedly getting freaked out if she has to touch one.
************
Matthew McConaughey: Afraid of Tunnels and Revolving Doors
You'd probably guess that Matthew McConaughey is afraid of shirts, since he seems to wear them so infrequently. But Matthew actually has two irrational fears: tunnels and revolving doors. He says he doesn't fear the whole tunnel experience, just the moment of entry when it's difficult to see beyond the first ten feet. As for revolving doors, McConaughey says he feels anxious just getting near them. Maybe that's why he spends so much time outdoors.
************
Kim Kardashian: Obsessed With Q-Tips
No one likes a dirty ear, but Kim Kardashian is apparently obsessed with making sure hers are sparkly clean. The reality TV star admits to being obsessed with Q-tips, confessing that she uses them at least five times every day.
************
Howie Mandel: Hates Shaking Hands
How does a game show host who has a fear of shaking hands greet his contestants? By doing the fist bump, of course. At least that's what the admitted germaphobe and OCD sufferer Howie Mandel does. But contrary to popular belief, Howie didn't create the modern hello. The pound can be traced back to Baltimore Bullets guard Fred Carter in the 1970s.[/nobabe]
CELEBRITY PHOBIAS AND OBSESSIONS
[nobabe]
Cameron Diaz: Afraid of Door Handles
Cameron Diaz may seem carefree in most of her movies, but the "Charlie's Angels" star gets grossed out by door handles and refuses to touch them with her bare hands. Instead, she uses her elbows to turn the knobs. While she claims she's not a germaphobe, she sounds like one to us. Cameron's in good company, however, as there are many celebrities who've confessed to strange phobias and obsessions through the years.
************
Whoopi Goldberg: Afraid of Flying
Whoopi Goldberg seems to have her act together. Currently the moderator on "The View," Whoopi is an Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe, and Emmy-winning actress and comedian, and she seems genuinely loved and respected by her peers. But up until recently, Whoopi had a debilitating fear of flying and would travel across country in her own bus when she needed to go coast to coast. When Goldberg's "Sister Act" became a musical and was set to debut in London's West End, it became clear that the bus was not an option. She agreed to have representatives from Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear program help her address her phobia. And not only has Whoopi gone to London to support her show, she's also made surprise visits to her family and trips to Las Vegas to perform at the Encore Theater (which had been dark since the unexpected death of headliner Danny Gans).
************
Billy Bob Thornton: Afraid of Antiques
It's not surprising that Billy Bob Thornton is a quirky guy (do we have to remind everyone that he and his ex-wife Angelina Jolie used to wear vials of each other's blood around their necks?), but B.B. has a phobia that's even odd by his standards. The actor says he's "creeped out" by antique furniture, and not so much American antiques as French Antiques. Billy is so fearful of being near the "castle-y" (as he calls them) artifacts that he says he can't sleep or eat near them and makes sure to call ahead to hotels to ensure that there are none in his suite before he checks in.
************
Daniel Radcliffe: Afraid of Clowns
You'd think a guy who's gone head-to-head with Dementors and He Who Shall Not Be Named wouldn't be afraid of anything anymore. But Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the world's most powerful wizard, has a fear of clowns. And he's not the only famous coulrophobic star: Johnny Depp and P. Diddy dread the circus entertainers, too.
************
Nicole Kidman: Afraid of Butterflies
You'd think a delicate actress like Nicole Kidman would find beauty in the fragility of a butterfly. But she's actually terrified of them. Growing up in the Australian countryside, Nic says she would sometimes come home from school to find a giant butterfly on her front gate, and she'd take a circuitous route over the fence and around the side of the house to avoid the insect. As an adult she's gone so far as to walk into the American Museum of Natural History's butterfly cage and allow the butterflies to cover her. But she still can't shake the fear.
************
Sarah Michelle Gellar: Afraid of Graveyards
Oh, the irony. Sarah Michelle Gellar, the star of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has a fear of graveyards and admits that she's had nightmares of being buried alive. Lucky for her, the set-dressing wizards on "Buffy" were able to create phony grave sites so that Gellar never had to shoot in a real cemetery.
************
Madonna: Afraid of Thunder
If Lourdes, Rocco, David, and Mercy James get freaked out by thunder and lighting storms, they're going to have to sing "My Favorite Things" all by themselves. Their mother, Madonna, probably wouldn't be of much use helping the kids get over any anxiety about nature's racket: the Material Girl is profoundly afraid of thunder.
************
Christina Ricci: Afraid of Indoor Plants
If you're going over to Christina Ricci's place and want to bring a little hostess gift, get her a bottle of wine or a nice scented candle. Do NOT get her a houseplant. She's notoriously afraid of indoor greenery, calling the plants dirty and allegedly getting freaked out if she has to touch one.
************
Matthew McConaughey: Afraid of Tunnels and Revolving Doors
You'd probably guess that Matthew McConaughey is afraid of shirts, since he seems to wear them so infrequently. But Matthew actually has two irrational fears: tunnels and revolving doors. He says he doesn't fear the whole tunnel experience, just the moment of entry when it's difficult to see beyond the first ten feet. As for revolving doors, McConaughey says he feels anxious just getting near them. Maybe that's why he spends so much time outdoors.
************
Kim Kardashian: Obsessed With Q-Tips
No one likes a dirty ear, but Kim Kardashian is apparently obsessed with making sure hers are sparkly clean. The reality TV star admits to being obsessed with Q-tips, confessing that she uses them at least five times every day.
************
Howie Mandel: Hates Shaking Hands
How does a game show host who has a fear of shaking hands greet his contestants? By doing the fist bump, of course. At least that's what the admitted germaphobe and OCD sufferer Howie Mandel does. But contrary to popular belief, Howie didn't create the modern hello. The pound can be traced back to Baltimore Bullets guard Fred Carter in the 1970s.[/nobabe]
RANDOM TIDBITS
The first Crayola crayons were produced by cousins Edwin
Binney and C. Harold Smith in 1903. The pair made the
crayons from paraffin wax and colored pigments, in a pack
of just eight simple colors: red, blue, yellow, green,
violet, orange, black and brown.
***
Since then, the company has produced over a 100 billion
crayons. In 2007, the subsidiary of Hallmark Cards became
"Crayola LLC". Crayola has its headquarters in Forks
Township, Pennsylvania.
***
The name "Crayola" was created by Alice Stead Binney, a
former school teacher. She put together the French word
"craie", which means "chalk", and "ola," from "oleaginous",
which means "oily", and came up with "Crayola".
***
Crayola makes 120 colors of crayons today. There are 19
shades of blue, 20 types of green, 23 shades of red, 8
different yellows, 16 types of purples, 14 shades of oranges,
11 browns, 2 grays, 1 silver, 1 white, 2 black shades, 1
gold and 2 types of copper.
***
Back in 2000, Crayola developed an online poll to find out
what crayon color was America's favorite, and the result
was blue.
***
According to a Yale University study of American adults,
the smell of Crayola crayons is ranked number 18 when it
comes to the 20 most recognizable smells.
The first Crayola crayons were produced by cousins Edwin
Binney and C. Harold Smith in 1903. The pair made the
crayons from paraffin wax and colored pigments, in a pack
of just eight simple colors: red, blue, yellow, green,
violet, orange, black and brown.
***
Since then, the company has produced over a 100 billion
crayons. In 2007, the subsidiary of Hallmark Cards became
"Crayola LLC". Crayola has its headquarters in Forks
Township, Pennsylvania.
***
The name "Crayola" was created by Alice Stead Binney, a
former school teacher. She put together the French word
"craie", which means "chalk", and "ola," from "oleaginous",
which means "oily", and came up with "Crayola".
***
Crayola makes 120 colors of crayons today. There are 19
shades of blue, 20 types of green, 23 shades of red, 8
different yellows, 16 types of purples, 14 shades of oranges,
11 browns, 2 grays, 1 silver, 1 white, 2 black shades, 1
gold and 2 types of copper.
***
Back in 2000, Crayola developed an online poll to find out
what crayon color was America's favorite, and the result
was blue.
***
According to a Yale University study of American adults,
the smell of Crayola crayons is ranked number 18 when it
comes to the 20 most recognizable smells.
RANDOM TIDBITS
Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii - This was the official
residence of the Hawaiian monarchy from 1882 until foreign
merchants overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. The queen
was imprisoned there for eight months in 1895 after efforts
to restore her to the throne. The only royal palace in the
United States, Iolani features portraits of several Hawaiian
queens on display.
***
Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, Auburn, New York - Harriet
Tubman risked her life for over a decade to lead hundreds of
enslaved people out of the South to freedom in the North. Her
last major project was her Home for the Aged, which is now a
museum to honor Tubman's life and work.
***
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago, Illinois -
Founded by Jane Addams in 1889, the Hull House greatly
improved life for immigrant families in poor city
neighborhoods. Hull House offered classes, daycare, job
assistance, and a place for labor unions to organize.
***
Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts - Author Louisa May
Alcott (1832-1888) lived in Orchard House with her family
for nearly 20 years and is thought to have written her
classic novel Little Women there. Now a National Historic
Landmark, Orchard House is preserved much as it was when
the Alcotts lived there. Visitors can tour the home and
imagine how the family lived.
***
Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester, New York - A National
Historic Landmark, this house was the home and headquarters
of feminist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) for nearly half a
century. Countless meetings to organize for women's rights
were held in this house. In 1872, Anthony was famously
arrested in the house because she had voted in the
presidential election-a criminal act for a woman.
***
Juanita Craft House, Dallas, Texas - Civil-rights activist
Juanita Craft joined the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1935, and by 1958,
she had founded 182 rural chapters of the NAACP. Both Martin
Luther King, Jr., and President Lyndon Johnson visited the
home to seek Craft's advice.
[www.infoplease.com]
Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii - This was the official
residence of the Hawaiian monarchy from 1882 until foreign
merchants overthrew Queen Liliuokalani in 1893. The queen
was imprisoned there for eight months in 1895 after efforts
to restore her to the throne. The only royal palace in the
United States, Iolani features portraits of several Hawaiian
queens on display.
***
Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, Auburn, New York - Harriet
Tubman risked her life for over a decade to lead hundreds of
enslaved people out of the South to freedom in the North. Her
last major project was her Home for the Aged, which is now a
museum to honor Tubman's life and work.
***
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago, Illinois -
Founded by Jane Addams in 1889, the Hull House greatly
improved life for immigrant families in poor city
neighborhoods. Hull House offered classes, daycare, job
assistance, and a place for labor unions to organize.
***
Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts - Author Louisa May
Alcott (1832-1888) lived in Orchard House with her family
for nearly 20 years and is thought to have written her
classic novel Little Women there. Now a National Historic
Landmark, Orchard House is preserved much as it was when
the Alcotts lived there. Visitors can tour the home and
imagine how the family lived.
***
Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester, New York - A National
Historic Landmark, this house was the home and headquarters
of feminist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) for nearly half a
century. Countless meetings to organize for women's rights
were held in this house. In 1872, Anthony was famously
arrested in the house because she had voted in the
presidential election-a criminal act for a woman.
***
Juanita Craft House, Dallas, Texas - Civil-rights activist
Juanita Craft joined the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1935, and by 1958,
she had founded 182 rural chapters of the NAACP. Both Martin
Luther King, Jr., and President Lyndon Johnson visited the
home to seek Craft's advice.
[www.infoplease.com]
RANDOM TIDBITS - Unusual Last Wills
Magician Harry Houdini left the rabbits he pulled out of
his hat to the children of friends. His wife was given a
secret code - ten words randomly chosen that he would use
to contact her from the afterlife. She held annual seances
on Halloween for ten years after his death, but Houdini
never appeared.
***
Animal lover Jonathan Jackson's will stipulated that his
money be used for the creation of a cat house -- a place
where cats could enjoy comforts such as bedrooms, a dining
hall, an auditorium to listen to live accordion music, an
exercise room, and a specially designed roof for climbing.
***
American hatmaker S. Sanborn left his body to science,
bequeathing it to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., (then a
professor of anatomy at Harvard Medical School) and one
of Holmes's colleagues. The will stipulated that two drums
were to be made out of Sanborn's skin and given to a friend
on the condition that every June 17 at dawn he would pound
out the tune "Yankee Doodle" at Bunker Hill to commemorate
the anniversary of the famous Revolutionary War battle.
***
Vermont tanner John Bowman believed that after his death,
he, his dead wife, and two daughters would be reincarnated
together. When he died in 1891, his will provided a $50,000
trust fund for the maintenance of his 21-room mansion and
mausoleum, even requiring servants to serve dinner every
night just in case the Bowmans were hungry when they
returned from the dead.
***
Just two days before her death of an overdose in 1970,
singer Janis Joplin changed her will to set aside $2,500 to
pay for a posthumous all-night party for 200 guests at her
favorite pub in San Anselmo, California, "so my friends can
get blasted after I'm gone." The bulk of her estate
reportedly went to her parents.
***
Eleanor E. Ritchey, heiress to the Quaker State Refining
Corporation, passed on her $4.5 million fortune to her 150
dogs when she died in Florida in 1968. The will was
contested, and by the time it was finally settled, only 73
of the dogs were still alive to recieve the established $14
million. When the last dog died in 1984, the remainder of
the estate went to the Auburn University Research Foundation
for research into animal diseases.
Magician Harry Houdini left the rabbits he pulled out of
his hat to the children of friends. His wife was given a
secret code - ten words randomly chosen that he would use
to contact her from the afterlife. She held annual seances
on Halloween for ten years after his death, but Houdini
never appeared.
***
Animal lover Jonathan Jackson's will stipulated that his
money be used for the creation of a cat house -- a place
where cats could enjoy comforts such as bedrooms, a dining
hall, an auditorium to listen to live accordion music, an
exercise room, and a specially designed roof for climbing.
***
American hatmaker S. Sanborn left his body to science,
bequeathing it to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., (then a
professor of anatomy at Harvard Medical School) and one
of Holmes's colleagues. The will stipulated that two drums
were to be made out of Sanborn's skin and given to a friend
on the condition that every June 17 at dawn he would pound
out the tune "Yankee Doodle" at Bunker Hill to commemorate
the anniversary of the famous Revolutionary War battle.
***
Vermont tanner John Bowman believed that after his death,
he, his dead wife, and two daughters would be reincarnated
together. When he died in 1891, his will provided a $50,000
trust fund for the maintenance of his 21-room mansion and
mausoleum, even requiring servants to serve dinner every
night just in case the Bowmans were hungry when they
returned from the dead.
***
Just two days before her death of an overdose in 1970,
singer Janis Joplin changed her will to set aside $2,500 to
pay for a posthumous all-night party for 200 guests at her
favorite pub in San Anselmo, California, "so my friends can
get blasted after I'm gone." The bulk of her estate
reportedly went to her parents.
***
Eleanor E. Ritchey, heiress to the Quaker State Refining
Corporation, passed on her $4.5 million fortune to her 150
dogs when she died in Florida in 1968. The will was
contested, and by the time it was finally settled, only 73
of the dogs were still alive to recieve the established $14
million. When the last dog died in 1984, the remainder of
the estate went to the Auburn University Research Foundation
for research into animal diseases.
RANDOM TIDBITS
The Finger Wave: Curls and waves were all the rage in the
1930s. Women wanted their hair to look like those of
beautiful Hollywood actresses Greta Garbo, Katharine
Hepburn, and Carole Lombard, who all kept their hair short
to mid-length, wavy, and styled for maximum sex appeal.
***
The Cary Grant: This men's hairstyle of the 1940s was a
precise cut with a severe side part and a whole lot of
styling wax to make it shine. The result was a look as
sauve and debonair as Grant himself.
***
The Bouffant: Thanks to salon-sized hair dryers being
introduced to the world of beauty in the 1950s, the bouffant
and the beehive began popping up all over the place. The
look was that of a big, round silhouette on the head.
***
The Mop Top: With the increasing popularity of the Beatles
in the 1960s came the increasing popularity of their
hairstyle - a longer, over the ears, floppy shag cut. Girls
and boys alike copied the style, which was also sported by
another huge band of the time, The Rolling Stones.
***
The Farrah Fawcett: The 1970s saw this iconic hairstyle,
made famous by Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett. The
style came to a soft point at the top of the head,
creating a triangular silhouette with long, feathered
flips cascading down the sides and the back.
***
The Rat-Tail: Popular with young men (and some women) of
the '80s, this style was characterized by hair cut short
all over except for a long strip of hair (usually 1/2- to
1-inch wide) growing from the nape of the neck and dangling
down the back.
[howstuffworks.com]
The Finger Wave: Curls and waves were all the rage in the
1930s. Women wanted their hair to look like those of
beautiful Hollywood actresses Greta Garbo, Katharine
Hepburn, and Carole Lombard, who all kept their hair short
to mid-length, wavy, and styled for maximum sex appeal.
***
The Cary Grant: This men's hairstyle of the 1940s was a
precise cut with a severe side part and a whole lot of
styling wax to make it shine. The result was a look as
sauve and debonair as Grant himself.
***
The Bouffant: Thanks to salon-sized hair dryers being
introduced to the world of beauty in the 1950s, the bouffant
and the beehive began popping up all over the place. The
look was that of a big, round silhouette on the head.
***
The Mop Top: With the increasing popularity of the Beatles
in the 1960s came the increasing popularity of their
hairstyle - a longer, over the ears, floppy shag cut. Girls
and boys alike copied the style, which was also sported by
another huge band of the time, The Rolling Stones.
***
The Farrah Fawcett: The 1970s saw this iconic hairstyle,
made famous by Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett. The
style came to a soft point at the top of the head,
creating a triangular silhouette with long, feathered
flips cascading down the sides and the back.
***
The Rat-Tail: Popular with young men (and some women) of
the '80s, this style was characterized by hair cut short
all over except for a long strip of hair (usually 1/2- to
1-inch wide) growing from the nape of the neck and dangling
down the back.
[howstuffworks.com]
RANDOM TIDBITS
Apples contain vitamins A, B, C, potassium, iron and
magnesium. They also contain important flavanoids, and help
fight the effects of bad cholesterol.
***
Carrots help lower cholesterol, boost the immune system and
help fight cancer. Carrots are loaded with nutrients and
vitamins including vitamins B,C,D,E, and K along with folic
acid and the anti- cancer protecting ingredient beta
carotene.
***
Pineapples are packed full of vitamin C and fiber which
help the immune and digestive system. They also have anti-
inflammatory effects and they contain the protein digesting
ingredient bromelain.
***
Raspberries are high in ellagic acid which is good for the
immune system. This fruit is packed full of vitamins and
minerals including cancer fighting beta carotene, vitamin
C, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.
***
A handful of strawberries contains 100% of your recommended
daily intake of vitamin C. Strawberries also contain
natural pain killing substances some of which are included
in aspirin.
***
Oranges contain antioxidants that help fight the free
radicals that damage and age our skin, and are loaded with
beta carotene and are a good source of calcium and other
minerals.
Apples contain vitamins A, B, C, potassium, iron and
magnesium. They also contain important flavanoids, and help
fight the effects of bad cholesterol.
***
Carrots help lower cholesterol, boost the immune system and
help fight cancer. Carrots are loaded with nutrients and
vitamins including vitamins B,C,D,E, and K along with folic
acid and the anti- cancer protecting ingredient beta
carotene.
***
Pineapples are packed full of vitamin C and fiber which
help the immune and digestive system. They also have anti-
inflammatory effects and they contain the protein digesting
ingredient bromelain.
***
Raspberries are high in ellagic acid which is good for the
immune system. This fruit is packed full of vitamins and
minerals including cancer fighting beta carotene, vitamin
C, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium.
***
A handful of strawberries contains 100% of your recommended
daily intake of vitamin C. Strawberries also contain
natural pain killing substances some of which are included
in aspirin.
***
Oranges contain antioxidants that help fight the free
radicals that damage and age our skin, and are loaded with
beta carotene and are a good source of calcium and other
minerals.
RANDOM TIDBITS
On April 22, 1970, Earth has its first official birthday
celebration in the United States. More than 20 million
people marched, demonstrated, and attend teach-ins on
environmental topics.
***
A bill is passed in 1872 by Congress and signed by President
Grant to create the world's first national park at the
headwaters of Yellowstone River in Montana and Wyoming. The
parkland now comprises more than 2 million acres, mainly in
northwest Wyoming.
***
The Endangered Species Act is passed in 1973 to protect
wildlife. The act expands federal protections to plants and
all invertebrates; bans the killing of all endangered
species, as well as trade in endangered species and their
products; and permits non-native species to be added to the
U.S. endangered species list.
***
The international organization Greenpeace was founded in
1971. Greenpeace uses the media to raise awareness about
industrial pollution, endangered species protection, and
other environmentalist concerns.
***
In 1990, Earth Day 2 is celebrated on April 22. One hundred
million people around the globe participate. The tradition
of celebrating Earth Day annually on or around April 22 is
begun.
***
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development in Rio de Janeiro brought 150 nations together
to set global standards for protecting the Earth against
global warming and other environmental threats.
On April 22, 1970, Earth has its first official birthday
celebration in the United States. More than 20 million
people marched, demonstrated, and attend teach-ins on
environmental topics.
***
A bill is passed in 1872 by Congress and signed by President
Grant to create the world's first national park at the
headwaters of Yellowstone River in Montana and Wyoming. The
parkland now comprises more than 2 million acres, mainly in
northwest Wyoming.
***
The Endangered Species Act is passed in 1973 to protect
wildlife. The act expands federal protections to plants and
all invertebrates; bans the killing of all endangered
species, as well as trade in endangered species and their
products; and permits non-native species to be added to the
U.S. endangered species list.
***
The international organization Greenpeace was founded in
1971. Greenpeace uses the media to raise awareness about
industrial pollution, endangered species protection, and
other environmentalist concerns.
***
In 1990, Earth Day 2 is celebrated on April 22. One hundred
million people around the globe participate. The tradition
of celebrating Earth Day annually on or around April 22 is
begun.
***
In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development in Rio de Janeiro brought 150 nations together
to set global standards for protecting the Earth against
global warming and other environmental threats.
RANDOM TIDBITS
Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World - In the tiny town
of Beaver, Oklahoma, apparently all you need is a good
throwing arm and some cow dung to have a good time. Every
April since 1969, Beaver has hosted the World Cow Chip
Throwing Championship to see who can hurl hardened cow dung
the greatest distance. This event was established as a
tribute to the unique natural fuel source of the town's
early settlers.
***
Troll Capital of the World - If you've always wanted to
check out the largest troll community in the world, look
no further than Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. You can take a
"Troll Stroll" down The Trollway, site of the country's
largest collection of life-sized troll sculptures, which
are carved into trees along the town's main drag.
***
Cereal Capital of the World - Did you know that the birth-
place of our favorite breakfast food is Battle Creek,
Michigan. Visitors to the town can tour Kellogg's Cereal
City USA, an interactive museum that pays tribute to cereal
and shows its impact on our culture. Observe a re-creation
of a cereal production line, meet your favorite Kellogg's
cereal-box celebrities, and even buy a box of cereal with
your face on it.
***
Decoy Capital of the World - Havre de Grace, Maryland has
been home to the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum since 1986.
It features the country's largest collection of wooden duck
decoys, most carved between 1930 and 1990.
***
Loon Capital of the World - The northern Wisconsin town of
Mercer, which boasts of more than 200 lakes within a 20-
mile radius, features the world's largest loon. A 16-foot-
tall, 2,000-pound fiberglass waterfowl has stood on the
lawn of the chamber of commerce since 1981.
***
Bratwurst Capital of the World - The first weekend of every
August sees Bratwurst Days in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Connoisseurs come from all over to try some of the industry's
newest brats, such as taco bratwurst, Cajun bratwurst, and
jalapeno and cheddar bratwurst.
Cow Chip Throwing Capital of the World - In the tiny town
of Beaver, Oklahoma, apparently all you need is a good
throwing arm and some cow dung to have a good time. Every
April since 1969, Beaver has hosted the World Cow Chip
Throwing Championship to see who can hurl hardened cow dung
the greatest distance. This event was established as a
tribute to the unique natural fuel source of the town's
early settlers.
***
Troll Capital of the World - If you've always wanted to
check out the largest troll community in the world, look
no further than Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. You can take a
"Troll Stroll" down The Trollway, site of the country's
largest collection of life-sized troll sculptures, which
are carved into trees along the town's main drag.
***
Cereal Capital of the World - Did you know that the birth-
place of our favorite breakfast food is Battle Creek,
Michigan. Visitors to the town can tour Kellogg's Cereal
City USA, an interactive museum that pays tribute to cereal
and shows its impact on our culture. Observe a re-creation
of a cereal production line, meet your favorite Kellogg's
cereal-box celebrities, and even buy a box of cereal with
your face on it.
***
Decoy Capital of the World - Havre de Grace, Maryland has
been home to the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum since 1986.
It features the country's largest collection of wooden duck
decoys, most carved between 1930 and 1990.
***
Loon Capital of the World - The northern Wisconsin town of
Mercer, which boasts of more than 200 lakes within a 20-
mile radius, features the world's largest loon. A 16-foot-
tall, 2,000-pound fiberglass waterfowl has stood on the
lawn of the chamber of commerce since 1981.
***
Bratwurst Capital of the World - The first weekend of every
August sees Bratwurst Days in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Connoisseurs come from all over to try some of the industry's
newest brats, such as taco bratwurst, Cajun bratwurst, and
jalapeno and cheddar bratwurst.
Most toilets flush in E flat.
Really? I'll be damned. I always thought the troll capital of the world was the Freeones Talk forum.
Car horns honk in the key of F.