What are animal races?

Animal racing goes back many, many centuries. Horse racing was an event in the BC 664 Greek Olympic Games. In all these years, horse racing rules have remained more or less the same. As years passed, people thought why not race other animals too-you could have categories like crawl, slither and jump! In the U.S. alone, you can watch the Jumping Frogs race (Calaveras County. California), Ostrich Festival Races (Chandler, Arizona), Armadillo Races (Edgewood, Texas), Camel Races (Virginia City, Nevada), Cockroach Races (Davenport, Iowa), Lizard Races (Lovington, New Mexico), Wiener Dog Races (Buda. Texas), Lobster Races (Aiken, South Carolina). Here are some of the stories behind animal racing.

Snail Racing

The annual World Snail Racing Championships is held every July in Norfolk, Britain. It has been around for more than 25 years. The contestant has to be a European common garden snail (helix aspersa). Foreign snails are strictly prohibited. The race has some delightful rules. As the competitors look alike, each competitor must have a number painted or attached by sticker to its shell. The contestants are placed in the centre of a circle with a 13-inch radius. They face the circle's outer edge. The official Snail Trainer shouts, "Ready. Steady. SLOW" and the race is under way. The first snail to reach the edge of the circle is the winner. The current world record of two minutes was set in 1995 by Archie The Snail.

Greyhound Racing

The greyhound, which normally weighs around 50-80 pounds (22-36 kg) is the fastest dog on the planet and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour (70 km/h). Organised greyhound racing started at the time of deer/hare/fox hunting in the UK and Europe. Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited with inventing this in the 1500s, which is why greyhound coursing (racing) is known as “The Sport of Queens.”

In 1912, one Owen Patrick Smith wondered how he could stop the cruelty of greyhounds killing jack-rabbits. He invented the mechanical hare and in 1919, opened the world's first greyhound racing track in Emeryville, California.

Dachshund Racing

The dachshund or wiener dog was first raced for fun in Australia in the 1970s. When, in 1993, an American TV commercial showed wiener dog racing as a potential comedy sport, the idea became instantly popular.

Every December, San Diego, California, hosts the annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals. where the dachshunds typically run over 25 or 50 yard (22 or 45 metre) distances to compete for the National Dachshund Racing Championship. With the release of the "dog-u-mentary" Weiner Takes All, which tells the story of the five dog winners and their owners, the sport became a part of American life.

Camel Racing

On the Arabian Peninsula, camel-racing was first held in the seventh century. In the 1970s, camel-racing became a more organised and formal sport. Governing bodies were made to establish official racing rules and regulations. Camel-racing is a popular sport in India, Egypt Australia, and the Arab countries of the Middle East.

A racing camel can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, and the races are run over distances that range from 2.5-6 miles (4-10 km).

Some of the world's most popular and best-known camel races, with the highest prize funds, are currently held in Australia.

Goat Racing

Goat racing originated on the Caribbean island of Tobago in 1925. At that time, horse racing, held every Easter Monday, was considered to be an upper-class event. Samuel Callender began holding a goat race in the village of Buccoo on the following day as a poor man's race. This day became known as "Easter Tuesday" and is now an unofficial public holiday on the island. Today, the Buccoo Goat Race Festival is the world's longest running goat racing event. For this, the contestants are trained over two months.

Hamster Racing

In 2001, there was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the rural areas of the U.K. The government restricted the movement of animals. So, many horse racing meetings had to be cancelled, as trainers were unable to transport their horses from the stables to the racecourses. To earn money, the online bookmaking company Blue Square introduced the first hamster racing series. Some called it an act of desperation and others said it was one of creative genius.

Ed Pownall from Blue Square Bookmakers released a statement: "You put an exercise wheel in the middle of a 10-inch-long dragster as the hamsters run in the wheel it moves the thing forward it's just been fun for people, to get them through the day without the horse racing the rodents run six at once along a 30-foot track, so far, the fastest time is 38 seconds. On Friday, the winners of each of the week's four races will face one another in a tournament showdown."

Ostrich Racing

Ostriches are incredibly strong runners, reaching up to 43 miles per hour (69 km/h) in a sprint and holding a constant speed of 31 miles per hour (50 km/h) over distances The birds are ridden like horses, with saddles and reins. The Ostrich Farm in Jacksonville, Florida, has held competitions since it opened as a tourist attraction in 1892. The annual Ostrich Festival takes place in Chandler, Arizona. Similar events are also held in the states of Iowa, Nevada, and Kentucky.

Cockroach Racing

Cockroach racing was born in 1986 at the Story Bridge Hotel in Brisbane, Australia. Two old guys were sitting at the bar, arguing over whose area had the fastest moving roaches. A man who overheard it brought a cockroach each from their respective neighbourhoods, and a race between them was then carried out in a nearby parking lot. History was made that day, and cockroach races now take place annually at the same hotel on January 26. The event is known as "The Australia Day Cockroach Races."

Turtle Racing

Turtle racing began in the United States in 1902 when young children rode turtles in a garden in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune at the time called it "The strangest race ever run." The main street at Longville, Minnesota has been the venue for races since the 1950s, leading to the state legislature honouring the town as "the turtle-racing capital of the world."

What do animal activists say of these races?

While the popularity of animal racing cannot be doubted, animal lovers across the world are aghast. They refuse to accept the argument that racing animals are loved, receive the best of everything and live comfortable lives. Race animals have to put up with stressful travel, rigorous training and injections of performance-drugs and painkillers, they say.

When the animals are injured or get too old to be profitable, they are killed. Turtle racers have been known to introduce electric current to the creature's brain to make it move fast.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has condemned turtle races and has suggested racing rubber ducks instead. The dachshund's shape and its genetic predisposition to back injuries has led to a great deal of controversy and widespread criticism of the sport.

These races are viewed by children. What does that tell them about how animals should be treated?

This is exploitation of animals for making money (in bets). There's a big difference between an animal running freely (it can stop and rest when tired) and being forced into racing.

In the United States, Texas and Arizona have passed laws banning greyhound racing. The "sport" of commercial dog racing is currently illegal in 40 states, and hopefully, the trend will continue until all tracks are closed.

As far as India is concerned, many of the animal sports cannot be called "sport" at all. They are not registered under the respective state sports councils. They can only be called cultural or traditional events. Animal activists argue that worshipping the sun, soil and water, and taking care of the cattle is the best way to say "thank you to nature. We should "celebrate" our animals, not use them in sport. But whipping an animal or making it fight another human/animal in an arena with thousands of spectators enjoying the sight of a terrified animal, cannot be our culture. It is animal abuse.

The Indian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, requires people to take all reasonable measures to ensure the well-being of animals. This includes prevention of pain or suffering. Animal activists say as long as people pay to see these races, the cruelty will continue.

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In what year was the first macaroni-and-cheese recipe printed?

The exact origin of macaroni and cheese is unknown, though it most likely hails from Northern Europe, with the earliest known recorded recipe being scribbled down in 1769. A staple of American cuisine, the creamy combo made its way to the United States courtesy of Thomas Jefferson, who, while visiting France, became enamored of fashionable pasta dishes served there. He brought back noodle recipes and a pasta machine, since this foodstuff was unavailable in the Colonies. As president, he served macaroni and cheese at an 1802 state dinner.

Kraft Foods introduced its boxed macaroni and cheese in 1937, when America was in the throes of the Great Depression. The product could serve four for 19 cents, and the company sold 8 million boxes of its quick-and-easy macaroni and cheese in a year. With rationing in effect during World War II, the boxed mix continued to gain in popularity; staples such as fresh meat and dairy were in short supply. It's now the standard incarnation of the dish, and along with ramen noodles, the Kraft Dinner (as it's known in Canada) is a mainstay of college student cuisine.

But some chefs are taking back the mac, putting inventive twists on this comfort food classic and making it worthy of fine dining establishments. (And yes, they're upping the ante from Kraft's novelty noodles, which resemble anything from cartoon characters to political mascots.) Some restaurants, such as S'Mac in New York, specialize in tantalizing variations on the dish—such as subbing in brie, figs, rosemary and mushrooms for the traditional cheddar-based sauce. Most restaurants, however, will have only have one or two options—but in a place like D.C., diners still have a fabulous variety to choose from, as the Washington Post will attest.

And then there's Paula Deen, who wraps her mac and cheese in bacon, breads it and flash fries the stuff. (Although you can forego the bells and whistles and stick to her more traditional presentation of the casserole.)

When making mac and cheese for myself, I turn to the 1953 edition of the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, which calls for a sauce made from Velveeta, onion and cream of mushroom soup. Top it off with some salsa and a side of broccoli and I'm in a good place. So basically, it's just an ever so slightly dressed up version of what you find on grocery store shelves. 

Credit :  Smithsonian 

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What year did the Empire State Building first open?

On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover officially dedicates New York City’s Empire State Building, pressing a button from the White House that turns on the building’s lights. Hoover’s gesture, of course, was symbolic; while the president remained in Washington, D.C., someone else flicked the switches in New York.

The idea for the Empire State Building is said to have been born of a competition between Walter Chrysler of the Chrysler Corporation and John Jakob Raskob of General Motors, to see who could erect the taller building. Chrysler had already begun work on the famous Chrysler Building, the gleaming 1,046-foot skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. Not to be bested, Raskob assembled a group of well-known investors, including former New York Governor Alfred E. Smith. The group chose the architecture firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon Associates to design the building. The Art-Deco plans, said to have been based in large part on the look of a pencil, were also builder-friendly: The entire building went up in just over a year, under budget (at $40 million) and well ahead of schedule. During certain periods of building, the frame grew an astonishing four-and-a-half stories a week.

At the time of its completion, the Empire State Building, at 102 stories and 1,250 feet high (1,454 feet to the top of the lightning rod), was the world’s tallest skyscraper. The Depression-era construction employed as many as 3,400 workers on any single day, most of whom received an excellent pay rate, especially given the economic conditions of the time. The new building imbued New York City with a deep sense of pride, desperately needed in the depths of the Great Depression, when many city residents were unemployed and prospects looked bleak. The grip of the Depression on New York’s economy was still evident a year later, however, when only 25 percent of the Empire State’s offices had been rented.

In 1972, the Empire State Building lost its title as world’s tallest building to New York’s World Trade Center, which itself was the tallest skyscraper for but a year. Today the honor belongs to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa tower, which soars 2,716 feet into the sky.

Credit :  History 

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How long did it take to build the Empire State Building?

Intended to be the world's first 100+ story building, construction of the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930. Construction was completed in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days.

Despite the colossal size of the project, the design, planning and construction of the Empire State Building took just 20 months from start to finish. After demolishing the Waldorf-Astoria hotel—the plot’s previous occupant—contractors Starrett Brothers and Eken used an assembly line process to erect the new skyscraper in a brisk 410 days. Using as many as 3,400 men each day, they assembled its skeleton at a record pace of four and a half stories per week—so fast that the first 30 stories were completed before certain details of the ground floor were finalized. The Empire State Building was eventually finished ahead of schedule and under budget, but it also came with a human cost: at least five workers were killed during the construction process.

Shortly after the World Trade Center towers were erected in the early 1970s, an architect at the firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon concocted a scheme that would allow the Empire State Building to keep its crown as the world’s tallest skyscraper. The proposed plan called for the building’s 16-story tower to be demolished and replaced by a new top section that would increase its height to 113 stories and 1,495 feet. If completed, the renovation would have made the Empire Building taller than both the World Trade Center and the Sears Tower—which was then under construction—but the idea was quickly dropped due to cost concerns and complaints that it would destroy the building’s iconic look.

Credit : History

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How did the teddy bear get its name?

The teddy bear is named after U.S. President Theodore “Teddy" Roosevelt.

In 1902, President Roosevelt participated in a bear-hunting trip in Mississippi. While hunting, Roosevelt declared the behavior of the other hunters “unsportsmanlike" after he refused to kill a bear they had captured.

As news of the hunting trip spread, many newspapers around the country featured political cartoons starring “Teddy" and “the bear."

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, New York, a shop owner named Morris Michtom saw one of the cartoons and had an idea. Michtom and his wife created plush, stuffed bears and placed them in the front window of their shop.

With permission from Roosevelt, Michtom named the bears “Teddy bears." They were an instant success. Ladies and children carried the bears with them in public. President Roosevelt even used the teddy bear as his mascot when he ran for re-election.

Until 2006, the biggest teddy bear collection in the world could be found at The Teddy Bear Museum in England. The museum had a collection of more than 2,000 bears. Unfortunately, the museum was put up for auction in 2006.

Today, one family claims to own more than 5,000 teddy bears, though they haven't officially counted them all. The Volpps' collection includes a teddy bear that they purchased at auction for $88,000.

Why would someone pay so much for a teddy bear? All in the name of love: Mr. Volpps presented it to his wife on their 42nd wedding anniversary.

Credit : Wonderopolis 

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Which U.S. baseball team has won the most World Series titles since the championship began in 1903?

World Series, in baseball, a postseason play-off series between champions of the two major professional baseball leagues of North America: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), which together constitute Major League Baseball.

The World Series began in 1903 after the cessation of hostilities between the NL and the newly formed AL. Boston (AL) defeated Pittsburgh (NL) five games to three in a best-of-nine-game series. Attendance was just over 100,000, and the players’ shares of receipts were slightly more than $1,000 each. In 1904 the New York Giants (NL) refused to play Boston, again the AL champion; but the series resumed in 1905 and continued annually until 1994, when a prolonged players’ strike forced its cancellation that year. A seven-game format has been standard since 1922. Beginning in 1955, one player has been voted the Most Valuable Player of each series, a great honour in baseball. Montreal and Toronto were granted major league teams in 1969 and 1977 respectively—the first Canadian teams in major league baseball; Toronto’s World Series win in 1992 was the first victory for a non-U.S. team. The New York Yankees of the AL have won the most series.

The World Series name has been applied to several baseball championships of lesser import, including the Junior World Series, played between champions of the International League and the American Association (both American professional minor leagues), and the Little League World Series, an annual event with international representation for teams of boys and girls 9 to 18 years old.

Credit : Britannica 

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Who was the first person on the $100 bill?

American money, much like other world currencies, commemorates some of the country's most influential people. In this way, Benjamin Franklin's head is featured on the hundred dollar bill, celebrating some of his most important contributions to American history. As of 1969, the $100 bill with Benjamin Franklin is the largest denomination banknote issued in the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, their "records do not suggest why certain Presidents and statesmen were chosen for specific dominations." In this way, there does not appear to be a specific set of criteria for deciding who appears on coins and banknotes in the United States.

Benjamin Franklin's image appears on the largest value bill in circulation in the US today: the $100 bill. Franklin was one of the – if not the – most important founding father in our nation. His work in forging the Declaration of Independence is considered pivotal in the forming of the nation, so it is well-fitting that his likeness be on this important bill.

Franklin effectively negotiated the French’s support of the colonists’ efforts toward independence, and that support amount to tens of thousands of francs spent on behalf of the future United States.

What’s more, the French committed troops and education to the colonial effort, and Franklin’s role in securing French monies made the forging of the United States, and its currency, a reality.

Franklin contributed much to what is deemed most “American” about the United States. He was tirelessly innovative, brave and capable, diplomatic and wise. All of these values are honored by Americans and honored in the likeness of the unforgettable Franklin on the $100 bill.

Credit : Biography

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Who is known for his large signature on the Declaration of Independence?

John Hancock’s historic autograph on the Declaration of Independence is so well known that it is often used as a noun synonymous to “signature”. What can it tell us about the owner? Among other things it reveals his status in society of that time. In the eighteenth century much importance was given to elegant scripts and sophisticated handwriting. It was said that “a good hand was the sign of a good man”. Not surprisingly the National Handwriting Day is celebrated on January 23rd which is also John Hancock’s birthday.

The popular legend states that he signed his name bigger than everyone else’s so that the “fat old King could read it without his spectacles”. The fact is that as the president of the Continental Congress he was the first person to sign the document and because he was the leader of Congress his signature was centered below the text. According to the National Archives it was customary that other delegates began to sign at the right below the text in geographical order according to the states they represent. The northernmost state, New Hampshire began and ended with Georgia, the southernmost.

Another myth reinforced by the Trumbull’s painting of the Declaration of Independence which is now located in the United States Capitol rotunda  is that the declaration was signed by all delegates on July 4, 1776. The fact is that signing started August 2 and was not completed until late November. Perhaps the delay was due to the fact that putting their names on the document the delegates essentially signed their death warrants. There was no greater treason than declaring independence from the King. The fact that this did not deter Hancock from putting the biggest signature on the document testifies to his bravery and his unshaken belief that the independence will prevail.

Modern techniques applied to analysis of John Hancock’s handwriting can reveal few more interesting details. The ornate elements at the end and especially underneath the name indicate the desire to draw attention to himself and to make a big impression. This would be consistent with what we know about Hancock’s personality. Even his best friend Samuel Adams was known to be critical of Hancock conspicuous lifestyle.  Looking carefully at the signature one may notice another interesting point – the handwriting baseline is not horizontal, instead the letters tend to rise toward end of the line. This pattern is also evident in other samples of Hancock’s handwriting. This may suggest a flair for the dramatics as if the person is trying to raise his intonation in theatrical manner. Regardless of whether you believe these suppositions or not “John Hancock” remains one of the most recognized autographs in the word.

Credit : Heritage 

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What inspired the Marathon in ancient Greece?

The marathon may have ancient roots, but the foot race’s official length of 26.2 miles wasn’t established until the 20th century. The first organized marathon was held in Athens at the 1896 Olympics, the start of the Games’ modern era. The ancient games, which took place in Greece from around 776 B.C. to A.D. 393, never included such long-distance races. 

The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles, with the news of an important Greek victory over an invading army of Persians in 490 B.C. After making his announcement, the exhausted messenger collapsed and died. To commemorate his dramatic run, the distance of the 1896 Olympic marathon was set at 40 kilometers.

For the next few Olympics, the length of the marathon remained close to 25 miles, but at the 1908 Games in London the course was extended, allegedly to accommodate the British royal family. As the story goes, Queen Alexandra requested that the race start on the lawn of Windsor Castle (so the littlest royals could watch from the window of their nursery, according to some accounts) and finish in front of the royal box at the Olympic stadium—a distance that happened to be 26.2 miles (26 miles and 385 yards). The random boost in mileage ending up sticking, and in 1921 the length for a marathon was formally standardized at 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers).

Today, marathon races take place everywhere from the North Pole to the Great Wall of China. In America alone, there are now more than 1,100 marathons each year. For decades, marathons were only open to male athletes. The Boston Marathon, which kicked off in 1897 and is the world’s oldest annual marathon, began allowing female competitors in 1972, while the first Olympic marathon for women wasn’t held until 1984. In 1976, an estimated 25,000 runners finished marathons in the United States; by 2016, the estimated number of competitors who completed a 26.2-mile course had soared to 507,000.

Credit :  History 

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Which famous landmark was built for an expo celebrating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution?

When Gustave Eiffel’s company built Paris’ most recognizable monument for the 1889 World’s Fair, many regarded the massive iron structure with skepticism. Today, the Eiffel Tower, which continues to serve an important role in television and radio broadcasts, is considered an architectural wonder and attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction in the world.

In 1889, Paris hosted an Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to mark the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution. More than 100 artists submitted competing plans for a monument to be built on the Champ-de-Mars, located in central Paris, and serve as the exposition’s entrance. The commission was granted to Eiffel et Compagnie, a consulting and construction firm owned by the acclaimed bridge builder, architect and metals expert Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. While Eiffel himself often receives full credit for the monument that bears his name, it was one of his employees—a structural engineer named Maurice Koechlin—who came up with and fine-tuned the concept. Several years earlier, the pair had collaborated on the Statue of Liberty’s metal armature.

Eiffel reportedly rejected Koechlin’s original plan for the tower, instructing him to add more ornate flourishes. The final design called for more than 18,000 pieces of puddle iron, a type of wrought iron used in construction, and 2.5 million rivets. Several hundred workers spent two years assembling the framework of the iconic lattice tower, which at its inauguration in March 1889 stood nearly 1,000 feet high and was the tallest structure in the world—a distinction it held until the completion of New York City’s Chrysler Building in 1930. (In 1957, an antenna was added that increased the structure’s height by 65 feet, making it taller than the Chrysler Building but not the Empire State Building, which had surpassed its neighbor in 1931.) Initially, only the Eiffel Tower’s second-floor platform was open to the public; later, all three levels, two of which now feature restaurants, would be reachable by stairway or one of eight elevators.

Millions of visitors during and after the World’s Fair marveled at Paris’ newly erected architectural wonder. Not all of the city’s inhabitants were as enthusiastic, however: Many Parisians either feared it was structurally unsound or considered it an eyesore. The novelist Guy de Maupassant, for example, allegedly hated the tower so much that he often ate lunch in the restaurant at its base, the only vantage point from which he could completely avoid glimpsing its looming silhouette.

Credit : History 

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Which tasty treat was used as money by U.S. soldiers during World War II?

The bar was hardly the only sweet in the D-Day rations. Sugar was an easy way to pep up the troops, and the quick burst of energy it provided made a welcome addition to kit bags. Along with the D rations, troops received three days worth of K ration packs. These were devised more as meal replacements and not sustenance snacks like the D rations, and came complete with coffee, canned meats, processed cheese and tons of sugar. At various points during the war, men could find powdered orange or lemon drink, caramels, chewing gum and—of course—more chocolate. 

In addition to chocolate, Hershey also produced parts for naval anti-aircraft guns. And the company wasn't the only food titan of the era that joined the nationwide effort to support American troops. Heinz created self-heating cans that could be lit with a cigarette, Kellogg’s supplied K-Rations for soldiers' breakfasts.

Credit :  History 

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Is Pennsylvania spelled correctly on the Liberty Bell?

Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original Constitution. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people the world over. Particularly forward thinking were Penn's ideas on religious freedom, his liberal stance on Native American rights, and his inclusion of citizens in enacting laws.

The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol.

As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is, "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?

Also inscribed on the Bell is the quotation, "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada." Note that the spelling of "Pennsylvania" was not at that time universally adopted. In fact, in the original Constitution, the name of the state is also spelled "Pensylvania." If you get a chance to visit the second floor of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, take a moment to look at the original maps on the wall. They, too, have the state name spelled "Pensylvania" (and the Atlantic Ocean called by the name of that day, "The Western Ocean"). The choice of the quotation was made by Quaker Isaac Norris, speaker of the Assembly.

Credit : US History 

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When was jousting most popular?

Jousts were, from the 13th to 16th century CE, a popular part of the European medieval tournament where knights showed off their martial skills by riding against one another with wooden lances in a designated area known as the lists. The two opposing knights, from c. 1400 CE, were separated by a barrier or tilt, hence the sport's other name of tilting. Jousting was an important opportunity for heraldic display, general pageantry, and the chance for a knight to impress aristocratic ladies who might show them favour by giving them their scarf or veil. Jousting fell out of fashion by the end of the Middle Ages, but there were occasional revivals up to the 19th century CE.

Tournaments where knights fought in mock cavalry battles (mêlée), with the object of capturing as many of the opposing team as possible, probably began in France in the 11th century CE. By the following century, the trend had spread across Europe. Tournaments might last several days, very often in celebration of another event such as an important marriage or coronation. There were stalls with refreshments, sellers of horses and fine clothes, intermission performances of drama with musicians and acrobats, pageants, and several banquets over the course of the event.

Jousting became more common as an event of the tournament from the second half of the 13th century CE, although it had been a minor side event since the 11th century CE. The name joust perhaps originated from the Latin juxtare ('to meet'), and the event was likely created in response to the greater emphasis on chivalry and honour in the later Middle Ages. It was much easier to display skills in an individual event in front of an audience as opposed to the free-for-all mêlée which took place across the countryside. A good knight was supposed to display such qualities as martial prowess (prouesse) and noble manners (debonnaireté), and those competitors with a criminal background or with a disreputable reputation were banned from competing (which is perhaps why some competed anonymously). As tournaments became ever-more spectacular social events of great pageantry, knights even had to prove their lineage to take part and displaying their family's coat of arms on the shield, surcoat, and horse's coat became the done thing.

Ladies attended jousts, sometimes they even sponsored the tournament itself, and they might give certain token articles, known as favours, to specific knights they favoured such as a veil which was then tied around the receiver's lance. The ladies and other spectators watched from purpose-built stands, pavilions with balconies or simply tents.

Sometimes knights dressed up as such legendary figures as King Arthur, as traditional enemies like the Saracens, as monks, or even court ladies. This was especially so at the event known as the Round Table where knights each pretended to be a character from the Arthur legends. Another opportunity for jousting was during truces or sieges when knights from opposing armies jousted to pass the time, although the results could be lethal. Famous examples of these impromptu jousts occurred in Sicily in 1062 CE, Wurzburg (Germany) in 1127 CE, Rennes in 1357 CE and several times during the English-Scots wars of the 14th century CE.

Credit : World History Encyclopedia 

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Who was the first Marvel superhero to appear in a comic?

Human Torch was one of the “big three” heroes of Marvel (then known as Timely) Comics, along with Captain America and the Sub-Mariner—and one of the most popular Marvel superheroes of the 1940s. Like the Sub-Mariner, he was first seen on the newsstands in Marvel Comics #1, in late 1939. Historians believe that the Sub-Mariner came first and that the Torch was created by Carl Burgos as a counterpart to his friend Bill Everett’s aquatic hero. Both artists worked in the Funnies Inc. sweatshop and were among several creators involved in packaging together the first of a new comic line for pulp publisher Martin Goodman. The comic, and particularly the Torch and Sub-Mariner characters, proved a hit, and Timely soon grew to become one of the era’s biggest companies, eventually emerging as the Marvel Comics that readers know today.

As the story in Marvel Comics #1 reveals, the Torch is an android created by Professor Phineas T. Horton that accidentally bursts into flames when exposed to oxygen (due to a design flaw). Disappointed by his failure, Horton buries the poor creature in a glass tomb and sinks it in concrete. But when an explosion accidentally releases the Torch, he rampages through a nearby town, causing chaos wherever he goes. Befriended by a crook called Sardo, the Torch is lured into a life of crime until rescued by Horton, who has his own agenda. Seeing that the Torch can now control his flame, Horton plans to exploit the Torch’s powers for his own gain. Disgusted by the professor’s greed, the Torch heads off on his own, to right injustices wherever he encounters them; and he soon signs up as a member of the police department (adopting the alter ego Jim Hammond, though this temporary device is not well-remembered today), rushing to the scene of any crime or disaster.

In 1939, the superhero was still a very new concept and only nine heroes preceded the Torch and Sub-Mariner, many of them (Wonder Man, the Green Mask, the Masked Marvel) eminently forgettable. So Timely’s pair made a massive impact. The Torch’s regular spot in Marvel Mystery Comics (the new name for Marvel Comics) was soon joined by his own quarterly solo title, and as the United States entered World War II, the Axis-smashing Torch began to pop up elsewhere as well. Between 1939 and 1949, the Torch starred in almost 300 adventures, in such titles as All Winners, Daring, All-Select, Captain America, and Mystic Comics—almost tying Captain America for the greatest number of stories published for a 1940s Marvel hero.

For Human Torch #1, Burgos created a junior sidekick for the hero (possibly inspired by the recent emergence of Robin in Detective Comics), a young counterpart called Toro, the Flaming Kid. Following the death of his parents in a train crash, Toro was adopted by a circus fire-eating act that had discovered that he could control fire and was unharmed by it. When the Torch happened upon him, they teamed up, and Toro eventually moved in with his mentor as his ward. The pair became inseparable for the rest of the strip’s run. Toro later went on to join the Young Allies, who starred in twenty issues of their own comic as well as a lengthy run in Kid Komics.

Credit :  Britannica 

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Who is Sandwich named after?

Sandwich, in its basic form, slices of meat, cheese, or other food placed between two slices of bread. Although this mode of consumption must be as old as meat and bread, the name was adopted only in the 18th century for John Montagu, 4th earl of Sandwich. According to an often-cited account from a contemporary French travel book, Sandwich had sliced meat and bread brought to him at the gaming table on one occasion so that he could continue to play as he ate; it seems more likely, however, that he ate these sandwiches as he worked at his desk or that the world became aware of them when he requested them in London society. His title lent the preparation cachet, and soon it was fashionable to serve sandwiches on the European continent, and the word was incorporated into the French language. Since that time the sandwich has been incorporated into virtually every cuisine of the West by virtue of its simplicity of preparation, portability, and endless variety.

Any type of roll or bread and any type of food that can be conveniently so eaten can go into a sandwich, hot or cold. British tea sandwiches are made with thin-cut bread filled with fish paste, cucumber, watercress, or tomato. Scandinavian smørrebrød are served open-faced, with artfully composed toppings of fish, sliced meats, and salads. In France, hollowed-out rolls are a popular base. The United States contributed elaborate sandwich formulas, two of the most successful being the club sandwich of sliced chicken or turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, and the Reuben sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing served grilled on black bread. Hot sandwiches, notably the ubiquitous hamburger on a bun, are a staple of the American diet, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the mainstay of the American schoolchild.

Credit : Britannica 

Picture Credit : Google