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American Countries Interesting Facts Interesting History - 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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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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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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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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Previous Daylight Saving Time Issues

March 23rd 2007 00:25
With Daylight Saving Time ending this weekend for some states of Australia, (That’s right boys and girls – be prepared to put your watches and clocks BACKWARDS one hour.)
daylight savings clock
I thought I’d remind you all of some relevant mishaps that can be found at webexhibits.org.
These are occasions when Daylight Saving Time caused slightly more than an issue or two due to the actual changing of the time.

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