The First of the Year
In ancient Rome the first month of the new year was the same one in which spring began. That month was called Martius after the God of War, Mars. Today we call the month March. Spring would seem a natural time for the new year to begin, since that’s when the climate changes [...]
The Truths of Washington
George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army and later the first President of the United States, thought of February 22nd as his birthday. He was born on February 11, 1731 under the Julian Calendar. The Julian Calendar was used in England, in which Virginia was a colony in 1731, but the Gregorian [...]
The Rings of Color
Ever wonder why there are five rings, each of a different color on w white background in the Olympic Flag? Pierre baron de Coubertin, who was the Olympic Committee President form 1896 to 1925 said upon its introduction that the five rings represented each of the five “the five parts of the world won [...]
Grammy Awards – Did You Know?
Elvis Presley was nominated for 14 Grammy’s. He won three times, all for gospel recordings. The Albums How Great Thou Art (1967), and He Touched Me (1972) and his live Memphis concert recording of the song How Great Thou Art (1974). In 1971 at the age of 36 he was also [...]
Facts Relating to Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the United States with an average American adult estimated to consumes 26.7 gallons of coffee per year. Even with this it is only 20% of the world’s consumption.
After petroleum, coffee is the second largest commodity in the world. With the exception of Hawaii, no coffee [...]
Presidential – Did You Know?
When James Monroe was confirmed as President by the Electoral College he received all of the Electoral votes except for one. A New Hampshire delegate would not give his vote to Monroe in honor of George Washington. Washington is the only President elected unanimously by the Electoral College.
Martin Van Buren was born on [...]
Did You Know? – Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, who was born on January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705], once wrote, “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” He accomplished both.
Franklin is best remembered as being from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He [...]
Rockers Who Died in 2009
Along with Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon and Michael Jackson these six Rockers left us in 2009.
Billy Powell
Billy Powell had been working as a roadie for the band Lynyrd Skynrd when he was invited to join the band as the group’s keyboardist in 1972. When he died on January 28, 2009 of a [...]
Attempting One Thing; Developing Another
Sometimes while trying to do one thing, another completely different item will turn up. Here are a few accidental discoveries that many of us would not want to do without.
One day in the 1940’s while George de Mestral, a Swiss inventor, was walking his dog he noticed that his pants got covered with cockleburs. [...]
December
The month of December is the last month of the year. Even though decem means “ten” and it was the 10th month of the old Roman Calendar, even then it was the last month of the year. The winter period between the end of December and the 1st of March was considered monthless.
December [...]
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