Interesting and Unusual Facts from Great Depression
The Great Depression started in 1929
The Stock Market Crash was one of the main reasons for the Great Depression. Billions of dollars of stocks were lost.
The Stock Market crashed on October 29, 1929. This day is known as "Black Tuesday."
As a result of the crash unemployment went up, people lost their homes, people were very poor and could not afford the necessities of life.
Fifty percent of the children in the United States did not have "adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care." Some went completely without these necessities. Children started fainting because they did not have enough to eat.
Many people had to go to soup kitchens to get food. The lines were very long. People would spend all day waiting in line just to get a small meal. Soup kitchens were run by charities.
Some people did not even have a soup kitchen to go to. People had to pick trash to find food.
In the 1920s there were no governmental programs to help those who had fallen on hard times. As a result of the Great Depression we know have many governmental agencies to help in times of need.
People did not have money for necessities so there was no way they were going out and buying things they did need. Companies that sold items such as car and other appliance that were selling like crazy before the depression were not selling anything. So production factories stop making money so more people lost jobs.
People who did have jobs made barely enough to survive. Hired farm hands only made
$216.00 a year. A doctor made $3,382.99 a year. - Now this is one heck of a Great Depression Fact!
A few years later things became worse for Americans when the Dust Bowl started. In the area of the Dust Bowl people suffered from a severe drought and dust storms.
Dust was everywhere: lungs, food, drinks, houses, furniture, bodies.
Many people fled their homes to get away from the dust. They had little food and no place to stay. They lived in old cars, boxcars, and some on the streets.
The Dust Bowl most of the crops in the affected region. So there was little food to go around.
Many people were headed west to start over where there was no dust. Many people went to California. Others had no choice but to stay behind and suffer.
People who had savings in banks lost all their money. Banks had lent the money out and there was no money to pay it back. Today we have protection when we put our money in the bank thanks to laws past as a result of the Great Depression.
Many people lived in settlements where they built shacks out whatever they could find. These settlements for called Hoovervilles, named after President Hoover.
President Herbert Hoover in office in the beginning of the Great Depression. He was blamed for "doing too little too late."
Some people would go into restaurants and pretend they were going to order when the waitress went back into the kitchen they would poor all the stuff on the table like ketchup, salt, pepper, etc into their water. They would drink it down before the waitress came back and then they would tell her that they changed their minds and they didn't see anything on the menu they wanted. This drink mixture was called "Hoover soup."
African Americans were hit hardest during the depression. Companies laid off African Americans before others. - Unusual facts on Great Depression had its toll.
Many farmers could not pay off their loan they had taken out so the bank would take their belongings and auction them off.
In order to protect each other friends and neighbors would go to the auctions and pay low prices for the property and give it back to the original owner. They would refuse to pay very much money. These auctions are referred to as penny auctions.
In 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt became president.
Mrs. Roosevelt received thousands of letters from children begging for money, clothes, books, food, and other things for their families. Segregation prevented them from finding many options for housing.
Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with a New Deal policy to help get America out of the Great Depression.
Some programs created under the New Deal are still around today: Social Security, National Recovery Administration, and Securities and Exchange Commissions.
FDIC was created as a result of the Depression. This makes sure we do not lose money we put in the bank.
FDR used to talk to the nation on the radio. His talks are known as fireside talks. He would encourage the nation during his speeches.
The Great Depression is said to have ended in 1939. This great depression fact is still not certain.
World War II made the United States economy go up. Factories and farms were once again needed to produce products and food overseas.
Unusual Interesting Facts about Great Depression
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Weird, Funny and Strange Laws Around The World
Sunday, January 25, 2009
This is a compilation of 25 strangest laws of the land. I verified some of the laws that are included in the list and I found 8 to be true out of the 8 laws that ive checked. A pretty indication that this list is indeed, legit. Enjoy!
25. It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses.
24. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
23. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down.
22. In France, it is forbidden to call a pig Napoleon.
Let your employees use Facebook — it's less risky than you think
21. Under the UK’s Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations 2006, it is illegal not to tell the taxman anything you don’t want him to know, though you don’t have to tell him anything you don’t mind him knowing.
20. In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
19. In Ohio, it is against state law to get a fish drunk.
18. Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.
17. In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.
16. In Lancashire, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.
15. In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
14. In Indonesia, the penalty for masturbation is decapitation.
13. In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day.
12. In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside.
11. In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be punished by death before a firing squad.
10. In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.
9. In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.
8. In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
7. In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.
6. In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
5. In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.
4. In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.
3. In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
2. In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman’s genitals but is forbidden from looking directly at them during the examination; he may only see their reflection in a mirror.
1. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset.
That's today's list of the top 25 Wierd, Funny and Strange Laws Around the World. Hope you guys had it. Remember to keep an eye for those unusual facts guys! Till the next post! Source.
Weird Random Funny Facts about Brazil
Well, here are some random facts, both formal (its nice to have something formal around here) and strange (its always been around here.lol).
If youre the nerdy type like me, and wants to enjoy these kinds of random facts about Brazil, youre not weird or at all, strange. Youre normal. So here's the formal facts.
LEFT BEHIND
Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, an underdeveloped state that contributes less than 1% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Population
Natal: 789,896
(metropolitan area: 2.7 million)
Brazil: 186.8 million
Infant Mortality (per 1,000 births)
Natal: 36.1
Brazil: 25.1
Illiteracy Above Age 15
Natal: 21.5%
Brazil: 11%
Life Expectancy
Natal: 70.1
São Paulo: 73.9
State Contribution to national gdp
Rio Grande do Norte: 0.9%
São Paulo: 30.9%
FAST FACTS
The AASDAP logo incorporates the 14-bis, the airplane flown by aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1906 near Paris to win two European prizes for the first flights of a powered, heavier-than-air craft. The Southern Cross constellation reflects AASDAP’s goal of enabling Brazilians to “fly” in their own land.
GLOBAL GOAL
Nations with transitional economies similar to Brazil’s are pinning development hopes
on science and technology, some investing a larger proportion of national resources.
Gross Expenditure on R&D, 2004
(in billions of U.S. dollars/as a percentage of GDP)
- Brazil: $13.5/0.91%
- China: $95.5/1.23%
- India: $23.7/0.69%
- Singapore: $2.6/2.23%
- South Korea: $28.3/2.85%
- Taiwan: $15/2.38%
SOURCE: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
For those who wants to get some Weird Random Facts About Brazil, heres the part for you.
An 8 year old in brazil can go to a law school provided that he pass the entrance exam. Not convinced? Find out here.
Among them, there was William H. Norris, a senator from Alabama. Due to Italian immigration at the near of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, only some 10 percent of the current population are of Confederado descent and about a dozen English-speaking families remain in the area.
About 300 of the Confederados are members of the Fraternidade Descendência Americana (Fraternity of American Descendants). They meet quarterly at the Campo Cemetery.
The city was known as Vila dos Americanos (American’ Village) until 1904. It became a district in 1924 and a municipality in 1953.
Americana has several museums and tourist attractions, including the Pedagogic Historical Museum and the Contemporary Art Museum.
Rio Branco Esporte Clube, founded in 1913, is the football (soccer) club of the city. The team plays their home matches at Estádio Décio Vitta, which has a maximum capacity of 15,000 people.
Unique Facts:
Brazil is the only country in the New World to have been the seat of government for a European country.
First Place:
The Amazon River is the mightiest on Earth – 17,500 liters of water empty out of it every day. The Amazon is also the 2nd longest river in the world.
Alberto Santos Dummont was the first person ever to fly a heavier-than-air aircraft.
Brazil has won the World Cup 4 times – more times than any other country.
Second Place:
Brazil has the 2nd highest Christian population in the world.
Brazil has the 2nd highest number of airports in the world.
The 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 10th largest sports stadiums on Earth are located in Brazil.
Ayrton Senna has the 2nd highest number of Grand Prix points and wins in history. Mr. Senna also has the 3rd highest number of world titles.
Third Place:
The rainforests comprise the 3rd largest area of forest on Earth.
Brazil has the 3rd largest road network on Earth.
The 3rd largest inland waterway networks are located in Brazil.
Nelson Piquet accumulated the 3rd most world titles and Grand Prix points in history. He was also the 7th youngest and the 9th oldest man to win 1st place in formula one car racing.
Fourth Place:
Brazil was the 4th country in the world to modernize its postal system by using stamps.
The 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th transatlantic flights were to Brazil.
Brazil was the 4th country in the world to abolish capital punishment.
The country that issues the 4th most daily newspapers is Brazil.
Emerson Fittipaldi set the record for the 4th highest winning speed in the Indianapolis 500.
Fifth Place:
The 5th largest country on Earth is Brazil.
Brazil has the 5th highest number of visits from the Pope in the world.
Brazil was the 5th country in the world to have television.
The 5th country in the world to make seatbelts compulsory was Brazil.
Eighth Place:
Cristo Redentor, the 8th tallest free-standing statue in the world is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Portuguese is the 8th most widely spoken language in the world, mainly because of Brazil’s large population.
Ninth Place:
Brazil has the 9th highest number of billionaires in the world.
Tenth Place:
Brazil has the 10th largest railroad network on Earth.
Brazil has the 10th highest number of vehicle owners in the world.
Reference: Zimbio.com
That's it guys, hope you enjoyed our little trip to the Weird Random Funny Facts of Brazil.
Funny Barrack Obama Pictures and Videos
Funny Strange Obama Pictures and Videos
This is one topic that has received alot of attention both from online and offline fuss. Well, everyone have been wanting to see one to be able to appreciate one and i thought my constant readers and visitors would benefit if id post some Funny Pictures Videos of US President Barrack Obama.
Well, here it goes...
This one's a classic, Barrack Obama is dancing with non other than Sarah Palin herself. Nice pose by the way.
Unusual Strange Facts About US Presidents
Enjoy!
In addition to his many other eccentricities, Thomas Jefferson had some unusual pets. Merriwether Lewis and William Clark sent back from the Louisiana purchase some grizzly cubs, and Jefferson was often seen walking them around the grounds of the White House. (Although Herbert Hoover might have bested this: his son had two pet alligators.)
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William Howard Taft, our 27th President, was known as "Big Bill," and for a good reason. He was 6' 2" tall and weighed over 330 pounds. He was so large, in fact, that he once got stuck in the White House bath tub, which had to be replaced with a special oversized version.
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John Tyler, who became president after the death of Harrison, later joined the confederacy and was elected to their house of representatives.
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Warren G. Harding -- considered by many to be one of the worst presidents ever -- was also an avid gambler. He once bet all the White House china on a hand of cards -- and lost. He also gave his dog, Laddie Boy, its own seat at the cabinet table. Somewhat ironically, perhaps, he coined the term "normalcy." - Now, this is definitely a certified weird fact from US Presidents
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Ulysses S. Grant was the first president to run against a woman -- the 1872 nominee of the Equal Rights Party, Victoria Woodhull, a spiritualist, activist, and former prostitute known as "the high priestess of free love."
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In addition to being the first president to be assassinated, Abraham Lincoln had the unusual distinction of being the first president to endure an attempted grave robbing. In 1876, thieves tried to steal his body from its tomb, in the hopes of holding it for ransom. However, they failed to get him out of his casket.
Lincoln was also no fan of women, and the subject of his sexuality is often in dispute. Sufficed to say, his relationship with his wife, Mary Todd, was anything but serene. By all accounts, she was controlling, cruel, and a bit of a shopoholic. Many have speculated that she was manic depressive, or even psychopathic. Lincoln himself once said, "A woman is the only thing I am afraid of that I know can't hurt me."
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Chester A. Arthur, who became president after the assassination of James Garfield, suffered from Bright's disease -- what modern medicine calls nephritis -- but kept it a secret, and even attempted to gain the nomination for a second term (he died less than two years after leaving office). And he was not the only president to conceal an illness.
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In addition to FDR's well-known secret paralysis, JFK suffered from Addision's disease, a rare endocrine disorder, and has been called by some historians "likely the sickest man ever to hold office."
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Benjamin Harrison, who served as president from 1889-1893, was frightened of the newfangled electricity in the White House. He and his family were afraid to touch the switches for the electric lights, and often had White House staff do it for them.
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And lastly, some presidential firsts: Abraham Lincoln was the first to receive a patent (for a floating drydock);
Millard Fillmore was the first president to have a stepmother;
James K. Polk was the first president to have his swearing-in reported by telegraph;
Hoover was the first to have a telephone on his desk (as well as the first millionaire);
FDR was the first to appear on television,
Truman was the first to ride in a submarine;
and Jimmy Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital.
