Tag Archives: history

Olympic History in Photos: 1908 | Humor 1

2012 Olympics London, Lighter side of life • Tags: , , , ,

Posted by a friend on mine on Facebook, here we have a photo of the 1908 Gold Medalist in Levitation. Levitation was one of the most sought after gold medals for many decades. However, it began fading out shortly after 1940 – the opening of the first McDonalds, which was the Dick and Mac McDonald Bar-B-Q restaurant in San Bernardino CA.

The athletes of the sport of Levitation fought to keep it alive, but sadly the ability to levitate quickly became extinct after 1948. This has been correlated to the point in time when McDonald’s Bar-B-Q changed to McDonalds Famous Hamburgers and reduced their menu to nine items, including the 15-cent hamburger. The fat intake from these sandwiches, as well as from the rapidly growing variety of fast food restaurants all over the world, was simply too much on the human body.

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The History of Mother’s Day in the US 2

All, Hodge Podge • Tags: , , , , , ,

Interesting history to this holiday.

In the United States, Mother’s Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother’s Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society.

Although many Mother’s Day celebrations world-wide have quite different origins and traditions, most have now been influenced by the more recent American tradition established by Jarvis. Traditions on this day include churchgoing, the distribution of carnations, and family dinners.

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April Fools Day Fun! 24

All, Hodge Podge, Lighter side of life • Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy April Fools Day! Thought I would have some fun and share some interesting facts, pranks and photos about this day.

If you would like to know the history, here is a short two minute video which supplies the highlights of the history of this day. I never knew any of this, but then, I never looked or researched April Fools Day either. Then comes the fun stuff – although the history is interesting….

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Happy St Paddy’s Day! Not “Patty’s” 14

All, Hodge Podge • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Here is some interesting information about the incorrect use of St “Patty’s” Day – it is actually “Paddy’s.” All this information below is pulled directly from the website of someone who is obviously Irish and very passionate about their heritage. This is not the writing of Motley News – but this correction is quite interesting. It would appear that many of us have been spelling the name of this holiday incorrectly for years. From the site, “Paddy Not Patty“:

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Interactive chart shows how the 90% have been screwed the past 30 years 3

All, Politics - US, US History • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Economic Policy Institute has put together an amazing interactive chart that shows the growth of incomes in the U.S. over the past 90 years, from 1918 to 2008, and is broken down by who the gains went to (the bottom 90% versus the top 10%).

By adjusting the sliders on the chart, you can break down the period into different eras, which show startlingly different trends. More…

The American Dream | An animated video explaining the Federal Reserve 1

Activism, All, Politics - US, She speaks... • Tags: , , ,

I had watched this video a several months ago and found it mildly interesting.  I did not watch it in it’s entirety, though, as it is 30 minutes long.  However, in light of all the recent Occupy Wall Street spreading like wildfire, this link came back to me once again.  This time, I watched it from beginning to the end.

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Civil rights march

A nostalgic Black & White photo journey through America’s past 9

All, Hodge Podge, Photo Gallery, US History • Tags: , , , , , ,

Nostalgia…. What a flood of memories many of these pictures bring to most adults and baby-boomers.  A little journey through our childhood via some incredible black and white photos gathered from the internet.  A brief description provided when available.  Sadly, I am unable to locate the source of these photos.

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Friday the 13th… Thirteen interesting facts about the number 13 2

All, Hodge Podge, Lighter side of life • Tags: , , , ,

Some interesting facts about the number 13….

1. Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.

2. Many cities don’t have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue. This city tempted fate.

3. If you have 13 letters in your name, you’re said to have the devil’s luck. Like, this guy (Charles Manson).

4. Many airports skip the 13th gate.

5. Airplanes have no 13th aisle.

6. Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.

7. More than 80% of high rises lack a 13th floor.

8. On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.

9. Traditionally in hangings, there are 13 knots in the noose and 13 steps leading up to the moment of death.

10. French President Nicolas Sarkozy may know that in France, socialites called quatorziens (fourteeners) make themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate.

11. Many say the No. 13 pointed to the ill-fated mission to the moon, Apollo 13.

12. Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper.

13. Some say that the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (circa 1780 B.C.E.) is to blame for the No. 13 woes since the 13th law is omitted.

Okay, I’m adding a 14th as this is interesting, and goes against the pattern of the number 13 being unlucky:

13 -1/2: While the number thirteen is widely considered unlucky, especially in western cultures, it actually remains a popular symbol of luck as tattoos.