Text Version: The term “Skid Road” or “Skid Row”, a slang term for a run-down or dilapidated urban area, was an actual road in Seattle, Washington during the late 1800’s. The real name of the road was Yesler Way (now better known as Pioneer Square), and it was the main street along which logs were transported. It soon became a […]
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Cups, containers, caskets, and cans What do you fill with empty hands? Though everyone has had me, none has ever noticed when they lost me. I have feathers, but I don’t fly. I have legs, but I don’t walk. I am constantly being used and never get any rest. Yet no one ever says thank you. With bloodless strokes I […]
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There have to date been 43 people who’ve held the highest political position in the United States since the founding of this republic under the current constitution. (And quite a few more Presidents under the old system, but we’ll ignore them in this piece.) Here now is a variety of interesting “President Facts” you may not know about every […]
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On this day in history, November 4th… 1842 : Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd, at the Edward’s home (her sister’s place) in Springfield, Illinois. Nicknamed Molly, Mary Todd first met Lincoln in 1840 when she was 21 and he was 31. Her family wasn’t too happy about the relationship because of Lincoln’s poverty & lack of political prospects. Nevertheless, she […]
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Four wings I have, Which swiftly mount on high On sturdy pinions, Yet I never fly! And tho’ my body often moves around, Upon the same spot I’m always found; And, like a nurse who chews the infants meat, I chew for man before that he can eat. I am a precious gift. I have no beginning or end. In […]
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Text Version: According to a law made in 1953 in Ohio, no one can be arrested on the Fourth of July nor on a Sunday if they are on their way to or from a designated place of worship. In 1998, the Ohio Senate tried to repeal this law, but it failed to pass. Not only is the law still […]
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Text Version: Before aspirin was introduced, people would chew on the bark of the white willow tree to reduce fever and inflammation. White willow contains salicin, a chemical similar to acetylsalicylic acid found in today’s aspirin. In fact, in the early 1800s salicin was used to make Aspirin. The tree has anti-inflammatory effects and although it may be slower acting, the effects […]
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On this day in history, November 3rd… 1534 : King Henry VIII of England was granted Royal Supremacy, as the English parliament accepted the first Act of Supremacy. This legislation declared the King as the supreme head of the Church of England. It also initiated by King Henry VIII himself and cut England off from the Roman Catholic Church. It is believed that the main […]
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I was walking across a bridge one day and happened to see a boat full of people. And yet, there was not a single person on the boat. I am silent as the dawn I move steadily without thought Those who winter’s chill has touched My presence they have sought. Though I ask no permission, I’ll pass through your door […]
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Text Version: The East-African country of Uganda has a population of over 35 million people. But the astonishing part is that, according to the 2010 census, 48.4% of the population is below the age of 15! A mere 2.5% of the population was 65 years and older, making it the youth capital of the World.
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Text Version: Organized cheerleading started as an all-male activity. On the 2nd of November 1898, student Johnny Campbell of the University of Minnesota, directed a crowd at a football game into cheering “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-So-Tah!”, making Campbell the very first cheerleader. From then, the University of Minnesota organized a “yell leader” squad […]
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Today I found out the “ye” as in “Ye Olde Coffee Shoppe” should be pronounced “the”. The “Ye” here is not the “ye” as in “Judge not, that ye (you) be not judged”, but is rather a remnant of the letter “thorn” or “þorn” (Þ, þ). The letter thorn was used in Old Norse, Old English-Middle English, Gothic, and Icelandic […]
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On this day in history, November 2nd… 1898 : Marks the official birth date of organized cheerleading. On this date, student Johnny Campbell of the University of Minnesota directed a crowd at a football game into cheering “Rah, Rah, Rah! Ski-u-mah, Hoo-Rah! Hoo-Rah! Varsity! Varsity! Varsity, Minn-e-So-Tah!” From then, the University of Minnesota organized a “yell leader” squad of six male […]
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This is a guest post contributed by List25 Depending on which government list you’re reading from and which countries they recognize, it’s estimated that there are about 196 official countries in the world. While I’m not about to do an interesting fact about all 196, here are a list of 25 fascinating facts about various countries in the world today: […]
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