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American 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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BOOKS & Other Literary Works The CRITICS Got WRONG!!!

July 28th 2009 12:10
In a tale as old as time, here is a short list of classic books and other literary works that were originally attacked by critics and subsequently given bad reviews.

* A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakeaspeare - performed in London in 1662.
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LOOSE STUFF 2 MAKE U LAUGH!

July 25th 2009 12:10
Charlie Sheen was once asked whether he'd like to have his father's job playing the American president on "The West Wing".
"I could never be the president," Sheen replied. "Think about it. I've abused cocaine, I've been arrested, I'm not a very smart guy. It's a big joke to think people would want someone like me just because his dad was president."
funny button

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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 ORIGINS of GOLF

May 31st 2009 08:21
Lorena Ochoa Number 1 golfer
Lorena Ochoa, currently World No.1 female golfer.
The origins of golf can be a little murky as some researchers claim they have discovered references to a form of golf from Egyptian hieroglyphics, while in China, Chui Wan ("chui" = striking and "wan" = small ball) a game of driving a ball with a stick into holes in the ground, was first mentioned in records from the 11th century.

The Dutch game also seemed to have an early version played with a stick and leather ball, while the Scottish game of 'goulf' was mentioned in two ancient laws prohibiting its play.
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The REAL Story Behind The Location of HOLLYWOOD!!!

May 30th 2009 07:58
Hollywood sign
Many people think that Hollywood is situated in California because of all of the glorious sunshine associated with the area, but the real reason behind the placement of Hollywood is a little more sly than most would think.

While it is true that it takes a lot of light to produce good films, especially in the early days of the industry, it actually had much more to do with patent infringement.
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Are FRENCH FRIES Really FRENCH???

May 5th 2009 10:29
French fries hot chips
French fries. Are they actually French?

It turns out the answer is actually no.
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IS SHE, ISN'T SHE?!!

April 30th 2009 13:48
During the 1936 Olympic Games, Stella Walsh, otherwise known as Stanislawa Walasiewicz, a Polish sprinter, was then known internationally as the fastest woman in the world, so when she was beaten by Helen Stephens of the U.S. who simultaneously set a world record, running 100 metres in 11.4 seconds, a Polish journalist protested that Helen Stephens must be a man.
sprinters sprint

Supporters of Stella Walsh joined in the protest, arguing that no woman could possibly run that fast.
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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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Things HURRICANES Have Sent FLYING!

November 12th 2008 09:47
flying cow
Hurricanes are unpredictable at the best of times, but who could have predicted these strange occurrences!

During one hurricane in the USA, witnesses noticed as a row of birds sitting on a branch had all their feathers blown off!
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The Origins of the Humble TOOTHBRUSH!

October 2nd 2008 14:30
The toothbrush as we know it today was not invented until 1938. From around 3000 BC, people used anything from a 'chew stick' - a thin twig with a frayed end, to feathers, bones and porcupine quills to clean their teeth.

The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was invented in China in 1498. The bristles were actually made of coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and attached to a bamboo stick or bone.
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CONTROVERSY During The 1908 OLYMPICS!

August 25th 2008 11:30
The 1908 Summer Olympics, held in London endured quite a bit of controversy......
1908 Olympic marathon


At the opening parade the Finnish team were expected to march under a Russian flag instead of a Finnish one so they chose to march without a flag at all.
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SORRY BUT I'M NOT DEAD YET!!!

August 20th 2008 23:45
gravestone headstone
People who reportedly 'died' before they did!

* Bertrand Russell (British mathematician) - reported in print as having died in 1937, had to have his obituary reprinted when he actually died in 1970.
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IT FELL From The SKY! MEAT!!!

July 3rd 2008 10:15
meat
All sorts of strange and bizarre items have fallen from the sky in the past, but how would you feel if a lump of fresh meat landed in your lap?

In 1851 soldiers at a base out near San Francisco were practising drills when they were hit by blood and pieces of meat, from a cloudless sky.
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