Did You Know?
Did You Know The Inspiration For Popeye Was Based On A Real Man?
Popeye the Sailor debuted in the comic strip Thimble Theatre on January 17, 1929. Here’s a look behind the scenes at one of the most loved and iconic cartoon characters of all time. The Creator As a youngster, Chester, IL native, Elzie Crisler Segar showed a...
Did You Know Popeye Eats Spinach Because Of A Mathematical Error?
Popeye the Sailor Man is one of the most loved and iconic cartoon characters ever. This month he turned ninety-five years old, and I thought it would be fun to write a Did You Know? about him. I never imagined there’d be so many interesting things to share, though....
Did You Know It’s Illegal to Wear a Hat While Dancing in North Dakota?
Winter brings the need to bundle up against the cold. Part of that process is donning a hat. Hat History Head coverings were invented for more than just protecting the wearer’s head. A hat can also indicate a person’s job, as well as their social status. They...
Did You Know It’s Never Too Late To Chase Your Dream?
Today, January 13, is National Make Your Dream Come True Day. Your Dream Everyone has a dream. However, not everyone pursues their dream. Some people just like to imagine one day doing it. And that’s okay if that’s all they want. Other people keep their dream...
Did You Know Chariot Races Once Followed This Famous U.S. Parade?
On January 1, I did something I hadn’t done since I was a child. I watched part of the Rose Parade, before watching the day’s slate of football bowl games. History It all began with tourism. In the winter of 1890, Pasadena, California’s illustrious Valley Hunt...
Did You Know Goals Work Better When You’re A Plane Not A Train?
2023 is quickly coming to an end, or rather, 2024 is fast approaching. And you know what that means? People are setting goals for the new year. Trains Have you ever ridden on a train? I’ve been on several in the states (specifically in Washington and Alaska),...
Did You Know This U.S. President Banned Christmas Trees in the White House?
Christmas customs and traditions are many and varied. One of the best-known, at least in the U.S., is the Christmas tree. Evergreens Evergreen trees, like mistletoe and other evergreen plants, have been used in pagan and Christian winter festivals for thousands...
Did You Know This Christmas Tradition Began in Bird Poop?
What do Christmas, Druids, a Norse god, and bird droppings have in common? Mistletoe, of course! The Plant Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that grows in large spherical clumps on a wide variety of hosts—trees and shrubs. Some mistletoe clumps can get as...
Did You Know In Colonial America, “Gingerbread Work” Didn’t Refer To Cookies?
Christmas—my favorite time of the year. One of the many things associated with the Christmas season is gingerbread. What Is It Gingerbread covers a broad range of baked goods. From crisp cookies to moist cakes, gingerbread is any baked good, seasoned with...
Did You Know Tomorrow Never Comes?
Tomorrow is technically always a point in the future. When it finally arrives, it’s no longer tomorrow, but today. Tennessee When I first moved to Tennessee, I did the touristy thing, visiting entertainment and historical sites. In those first couple of years,...