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American Countries Interesting Facts - Fun Facts

The Truth, the HOLE Truth, and Nothing But The Truth!!!

February 15th 2010 22:00
ring doughnut free image
Although doughnuts were reportedly introduced to Americans by the Dutch, they were not the first people to come up with the idea of a hole in the middle.

So is there actually a reason for having the hole in the middle? The answer is yes.

As a sea going mariner, Hanson Gregory of Maine U.S.A. was posed with a dilemma while sailing one night and about to tuck into a delicious doughnut.
A fierce wind had sprung up and both of his hands were required for steering the ship, so what to do with the doughnut? After a quick glance at the ship's wheel, he promptly stuck it onto one of the wheel spokes, thereby punching the centre out.

After getting the ship under control and returning to his snack, he noted that the doughnut tasted much better without the centre portion which he had always found to be a little too undercooked and soggy. He therefore requested the ship's cook to prepare his doughnuts with a hole in the middle. thereby inventing the ring doughnut.
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WHY Are SHIPS Christened With A Bottle Of CHAMPAGNE???

June 30th 2009 16:10
Upon the launching of a newly completed ship, a bottle of champagne is usually smashed over the bow to christen it. The origins of this are a little unclear and can vary slightly from culture to culture, but for the most part it is believed that blood or wine, depending on the particular culture, was originally used as a sacrifice to the gods of the sea to allow for a smooth passage.

Namcy Reagan ship christening
Over time this became wine by those who originally used blood, and the wine was poured first into a silver chalice, from which a sip was taken before spilling the wine over the ship and casting the chalice into the sea.
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The MYTH Behind SALUTING As A WINNER Or LOSER Of The WAR!

March 7th 2009 10:00
US naval salute
U.S Naval salute - palm down.
Recently I was involved in a conversation where an American decided to, quite arrogantly I might add, tell an Englishwoman that the reason that the American military salute with their palms down (as if shading the eyes from the sun) is because they have never lost a war, whereas the British, who salute with their palms facing outwards, have lost in the past and therefore must salute as such.

Upon pointing out that they lost at Vietnam, the American initially tried to deny that it was actually a war, and when challenged on the issue subsequently snapped and the night turned into a smaller, but more tense version of Fawlty Towers ‘don’t mention the war.’
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Sho Who Really Is The Biggest???

October 22nd 2008 13:16
airport
OK, so following on from my last post, here is a list of the top 15 airlines according to who has the biggest fleet of aircraft. The number of aircraft is also shown.

1. USA - American Airlines = 655
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I'm Off, I'm Off!!!

October 20th 2008 13:15
No, I don't mean smell-wise. In fact I smell rather sweet today even if I do say so myself. After all, it is my birthday and I'm wearing a rather nice perfume - all in aid of the fact that in about 6.5 hours or so I, along with my two rug-rats, or maybe that should be Wii-rats seeing as they're a little old to be amused by a rug any more, will be hopping on our first plane back home to Sydney in little over a year.

I'm looking at the weather here in the north-west of England today and thinking I couldn't pick a better time to leave. Mind you, by the time we arrive in Sydney, it's forecast to be around 15 degrees Celsius, and wet to boot - rather like here, but the rest of the week that we're down will be looking much better.
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The Origin Of Rickshaws

June 23rd 2008 12:28
Rickshaws were invented in Japan by an American missionary back in 1869. Initially it was designed to transport his invalid wife around Yokohama, but eventually they caught on for other reasons.
rickshaw


The name of the man who invented them??
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The ESKIMO OLYMPICS

March 6th 2008 09:42
In Fairbanks, Alaska during the later half of July every year, the WEI Olympics are held.

What exactly are the WEI Olympics? The World Eskimo Indian Olympics of course!
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Interesting Valentines Facts!

February 14th 2008 11:00
love heart
- Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year.

- Of all flowers purchased, men are responsible for buying approximately 3/4.
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CHINESE CHECKERS - NOT!!!!!

February 2nd 2008 23:00
Chinese Checkers
Chinese Checkers, a board game invented in China, right?

Not by any whack of the proverbial stick!
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Posted By: MelissaA - Category: American, Countries, Interesting Facts
   


Santa Claus/ Father Christmas/ St Nicholas - A Man Of Many Names.

December 15th 2007 00:05
Santa Claus/ Father Christmas/ St Nicholas/ Kris Kringle, whatever name you call him, this is one man of which it can be said he has many names.

Depending on the country you're in, he could very well be called more than one name. In Australia he's usually referred to as Santa Claus, but occasionally other names pop up.
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Christmas Turkeys & Christmas Dinners

December 14th 2007 00:05
turkey
In both the United Kingdom and the United States of America, turkeys are the currently the main choice for Christmas dinner.

In fact, before turkeys became popular in the UK, it was the custom to eat goose. Then during one particular Christmas, British monarch Henry VIII decided to try a turkey dinner.
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From The Harvest Festival To Thanksgiving

October 9th 2007 09:31
harvest time food
As an Australian in the UK my cultural knowledge is ever expanding.

Take for instance my new knowledge of Britain's Harvest Festival, a cultural celebration of which I knew nothing about. I did however know about America and Thanksgiving. It turns out that the two are actually somewhat related.
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Food Definitions and Differences UK-USA-Australia!

September 26th 2007 10:51
You might think the English language to be the same world over in English speaking countries, but not so.

The range of variations is quite wide between say Australian English, British English and American English.
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Father's Day Dates

August 22nd 2007 00:40
fathers day
No, not the day you send your father out to hook up, although for some of you out there maybe that really is the case, and could be the gift he's been looking for afterall.

But what I'm talking about here is the more socially accepted day on which father's are celebrated. Here in the great land of Aus, Father's Day is traditionally celebrated on the 1st Sunday in September.
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