Category: American History
Beverly Hillbillies, Season 1, Episode 1
This first episode of the Beverly Hillbillies aired in 1962. It is one of the best comedy TV series ever, and a history lesson in the ways, attitudes, and technologies of the early 1960s.
The Beverly Hillbillies is one of those television comedies that arrived like a moonshine jug at a tea party: loud, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. When it debuted in 1962, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Here are some interesting behind-the-scenes and historical nuggets:
1. It exploded in popularity almost instantly
When the show premiered in 1962 on CBS, critics groaned… but viewers stampeded. Within a few weeks it was the #1 show on television.
2. The most-watched episode in sitcom history
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The episode where the Clampetts first arrive in California, “The Giant Jackrabbit,” drew about 60 million viewers. For decades it held the record for the most-watched sitcom episode ever.
3. The theme song told the whole story
The famous ballad “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” summarized the entire premise in its lyrics. It was sung by bluegrass legend Lester Flatt of Flatt & Scruggs.
4. Granny wasn’t actually old
The feisty Granny was played by Irene Ryan, who was only in her early 60s during most of the series and just 59 when filming started.
5. Jethro had many “professions”
The dim but lovable Jethro, played by Max Baer Jr., repeatedly tried new careers. Across the series he attempted to become a brain surgeon, movie star, spy, and even a double-naught spy (007 parody).
6. The mansion was a real Beverly Hills estate
The Clampett mansion seen in the show was the Kirkeby Mansion in Beverly Hills. Decades later it sold for over $100 million, one of the priciest home sales in U.S. history.
7. The Clampetts were incredibly rich
In the story, Jed’s oil strike makes him about $25 million in the early 1960s. Adjusted for inflation, that would be well over $250 million today.
8. The show was created by a writer who loved rural humor
It was created by Paul Henning, who later produced other rural comedies like Green Acres and Petticoat Junction.
9. Critics hated it… at first
Early TV critics called the show “corny,” “ridiculous,” and “lowbrow.” Meanwhile audiences kept it in the Top 10 ratings for most of its nine-season run.
10. It was cancelled while still popular
Despite strong ratings, the show was cancelled in 1971 during a purge often called the “rural purge.” Networks wanted shows aimed at younger urban audiences. Other casualties included Green Acres and Hee Haw.
11. Elly May became a pop-culture icon
Donna Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, was famous for her love of animals on the show. She often appeared with raccoons, possums, and even a chimpanzee.
12. Jed Clampett was the calm center of the chaos
Buddy Ebsen played Jed. Before this role, he had been cast as the original Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz but had to drop out due to a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum makeup.
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Bugles are like trumpets, but they have no valves, and so can play only some notes.
The Andrews Sisters were one of the most energetic vocal groups of the swing era. Their music bounced like champagne bubbles through radios, dance halls, and wartime barracks. Here are ten fascinating facts about them.
1. They sold an enormous number of records
The trio sold over 75 million records, making them one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time.
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2. Their harmonies were famously tight
Their style was called “close harmony.” The sisters sang extremely tight vocal parts that locked together like gears in a clock, which became a defining sound of the swing era.
3. Their biggest hit was “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”
Their most famous song is Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, released during World War II.
It became an anthem for American troops and remains one of the most recognizable swing songs ever recorded.
4. They helped boost morale during World War II
During World War II, the sisters performed for U.S. troops around the world and recorded numerous patriotic songs. Their music was widely played on military radio broadcasts.
5. Their career began when they were teenagers
The trio began performing in Minneapolis in the 1920s, when the sisters were still very young. They originally imitated another famous group called The Boswell Sisters before developing their own style.
6. They appeared in many Hollywood films
The sisters didn’t just sing on records. They appeared in several movies in the 1940s, including Buck Privates, which starred the comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
7. Their real names were LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty
The trio consisted of the three Andrews sisters:
LaVerne Andrews
Maxene Andrews
Patty Andrews
Patty, the youngest, usually sang the lead.
8. They recorded songs in many languages
To reach soldiers and international audiences, the trio recorded songs in several languages, including Spanish, German, Italian, and Yiddish.
9. Their music influenced later pop groups
Their vocal style influenced many later harmony groups, including the The Pointer Sisters and even some rock and pop vocal arrangements.
10. They had one of the longest-running careers of the swing era
The group remained active from the late 1920s through the 1960s, surviving changing musical trends long after many big-band acts disappeared.
🎶 A fun historical note:
At the height of their fame in the 1940s, the Andrews Sisters were second only to Bing Crosby in record sales in the United States. That’s a pretty lofty perch in the musical skyline of the swing era.
The Ultimate Movie Trilogy
This is a series of three free and complete movies available on YouTube. You can watch and enjoy them in any sequence, but they were produced in this order:
The ultimate Gift 2006
The Ultimate Life 2013
The Ultimate Legacy 2017
Major stars scattered throughout these movies include James Garner, Lee Meriwether, Bill Cobbs, and Abigail Breslin and Brian Dennehy.
The Ultimate Gift starts with, Jason Stevens, a spoiled young man who is forced to work his way through a series of ‘gifts,’ or life experiences that bring him to a level of maturity sufficient to inherit and manage a fortune. If he fails to achieve any of the gifts, he will forfeit his inheritance.
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The ultimate life, produced 7 years later, takes us back in time to the WWII ero, when Jason’s grandfather starts from absolute poverty and builds an empire.
Finally, we have the Ultimate Legacy, in which Jason now guides another young man in becoming the person necessary to manage his grandmother’s legacy.
In a couple of scenes, you’ll see a chauffeur hold open a limousine door. Those cameos are by the author who wrote the books from which the series was created, Jim Stovall, who is blind.
The Ultimate Gift
The Ultimate Life
The Ultimate Legacy
Sun Valley Serenade
This full movie is cued up to start at the musical and dance entertainment portion. You can rewind to the beginning to see the full movie if you wish. This is a level of entertainment that is probably not possible today.
The orchestra was led by Benny Goodman who was as big as the Beatles in his day – about 25 years before the Beatles. Benny’s instrument was the clarinet, something that’s been nearly entirely missing from the mainstream music scene for at least fifty years.
Sun Valley Serenade was recorded in Sun Valley, Idaho. The venue still exists to this day. Your author and his wife had the pleasure of staying in the Sun Valley Lodge 20 or so years ago where we met ice skating legends Scotty Hamilton, Katarina Witt, Oksana Baiul, and others in person. The room the orchestra played in looks the same to this day.
Skating stars tend to vacation in Sun Valley and neighboring Ketchum, Idaho in the summers during their off season. Many of them practice in the two skating rinks and some participate in public shows on Friday or Saturday nights. Sun Vally has a year-round outdoor ice rink, one of the few, and perhaps the only year-round outdoor rink in the world. To keep the ice frozen, they have four Diesel-powered refrigerators each as big as a full-size cargo container.
I believe you’ll agree with me that the dance sequence is one of the best ever. It is performed by the Nicholas Brothers and Dorothy Dandridge. The brothers were born in 1914 and 1921 to a pianist mother and drummer father.
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The Nicholas Brothers, Harold and Fayard, who lived to the age of 92, later taught master tap dance classes as teachers-in-residence at Harvard University and Radcliffe College. Janet Jackson and her brother Michael studied under the Nicholas brothers.
Fred Astaire Biography
Fred Astaire’s birth name was Frederick Austerlitz. He lived to the age of 88, continuing to perform up to 82 years old. Fred was born in 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was more than just a dancer, also being highly skilled in singing and acting as well as playing clarinet, accordion and piano.
Not being happy with Omaha, Fred’s mother hoped he, and his older sister Adele might take up vaudeville performing so she could move to some place more interesting to her, such as New York City. Adele enjoyed her dance lessons, but Fred was simply not interested – at first.
Around 1933, Fred was hoping to break into movies. After an early screen test, a casting director reported, “Can’t sing. Can’t act. Balding. Can dance a little.”
30 Things Only Baby Boomers Will Remember
When VCRs came out, they sold for $1,200. Eventually, you could rent videos for $4.95/day (US). At the end of the era, you could buy a VCR, complete with a remote for $59 and movies were often five videos for five days for five dollars.
Your author was fortunate to take typing lessons in public school during 5th grade, around age eleven. We all had to bring our own typewriters from home. Mine was about 30 pounds in came in a box like a hard suitcase. I was envious of the kids who had smaller typewriters. I was especially envious of the few who had electric typewriters. Imagine, with an electric typewriter, one didn’t have to make a point of pressing the A and the ; keys hard enough to match the impressions on the paper of the J and F keys.
When the phone rang, you answered it! There was no way of knowing who was calling, and they couldn’t leave messages until later, when answering machines became common. Most of the answering machines used cassette tapes. You had to rewind or fast-forward through the tape to hear your messages. Every now and then, something would go wrong and the tape would spill out of the cassette. When that happened you had to carefully suck it back in by turning one of the spools with a Bic pen stuck through it’s middle. Bic pens fit just right. Nothing else worked as well.
All serious amateur photographers had darkrooms. This was a room in the house where the photographer could lay out trays of chemicals, and a vertically-oriented projector that would shine light through negatives onto light-sensitive paper. The paper was then soaked in three trays of chemicals to develop the print. Drying these was always problematic. You couldn’t just leave a print laying around. It would curl up into a tight spiral. For black-and-white photos, which most were at the time, the darkroom had a dim red or orange light, called a safelight, that allowed a person to see, but would not harm the photos. For color photography, the safelight was a ridiculously dim olive green.
What the Deaf Man Heard
You know any movie with James Earl Jones has to be great, right? This offbeat movie is no exception. Set in the 1960s, it’s about a boy who grows up hearing more than most people expect and the actions he ends up taking.
James Earl Jones, who was the voice of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars, has played many roles, many are just wonderful and uplifting. Born in 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, James Earl Jones is still with us as of this writing – February, 2024. He is 93 years old. His deep voice is considered basso profondo. He was planning to become a medical doctor until participating in the Korean War where he became a first lieutenant. Afterward, he took up acting, while supporting himself as a janitor, starting with Shakespearean roles. With his basso profondo voice, Broadway was a natural fit for him, where started performing in 1957.
His mother was a teacher and maid. His father who survived until the age of 96, was a a boxer, butler and chauffeur. At five years old he was shipped off to be raised by his grandparents in Jackson, Mississippi.
His childhood wasn’t easy. He had a stuttering problem so severe that he refused to speak for a year, which you’ll understand is very significant in the context of this movie.
25 Origins of Common Phrases
Many of these common phrases may be described as catchphrases. You can see a list of British followed by American catchphrases here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_catchphrases_in_American_and_British_mass_media
North Dakota
North Dakota has an area of approximately 70,700 square miles (183,000 square kilometers).
The state’s nickname is the “Peace Garden State” because it is home to the International Peace Garden, located on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada.
North Dakota is the least-visited state in the country, making it a great destination for those seeking a quieter and more peaceful experience.
The western part of the state is known for its picturesque Badlands, featuring unique rock formations and stunning vistas.
The state’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, with wheat being the primary crop grown in the region.
North Dakota is one of the top producers of honey in the United States, thanks to its vast fields of wildflowers that attract bees.
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North Dakota is rich in fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil. It has significant oil reserves in the Bakken Formation, making it an important energy-producing state.
Rugby, North Dakota, is considered the geographic center of North America.
The state is home to several Native American tribes, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, and Lakota Sioux.
North Dakota has a strong Norwegian influence, and the city of Minot hosts the Norsk Høstfest, the largest Scandinavian festival in North America.
North Dakota has a vibrant rodeo culture, with numerous rodeos held throughout the state during the summer months.
Laws Still on the Books in North Dakota
In Fargo, North Dakota, it is illegal to wear a hat while dancing.
Don’t keep an elk in a sandbox in your yard. That’s breaking the law.
You may not let your horse sleep in your house.
It is illegal to fall asleep with your shoes on.
It is illegal to shoot an Indian on horseback, provided you are in a covered wagon.
It is illegal to dance to the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
It is illegal to play hopscotch on a Sunday.
It is illegal to dance while wearing a hat in a courtroom.
North Carolina
North Carolina is known as the “Tar Heel State” and its residents are called “Tar Heels.”
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, conducted their first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is the largest privately owned house in the United States. It has 250 rooms and covers 178,926 square feet.
The state’s official beverage is milk.
Pepsi Cola was invented and first served in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1893.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the United States, chartered in 1789.
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The state’s Outer Banks are a chain of barrier islands that are constantly shifting due to ocean currents and winds.
The state is known for its beautiful lighthouses, including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.
North Carolina is one of the leading producers of sweet potatoes in the country.
The town of Wilmington, North Carolina, is a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, earning it the nickname “Hollywood East.”
The “Research Triangle” is a region in North Carolina that includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is home to several prestigious universities and research institutions.
Blackbeard, one of the most infamous pirates in history, had a hideout in Beaufort, North Carolina.
North Carolina is the largest producer of tobacco in the United States.
Cheerwine, a cherry-flavored soda, was created in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1917 and remains popular in the state.
The city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was originally two separate towns, Winston and Salem, which merged in 1913.
North Carolina is home to the largest military installation in the world, Fort Bragg, which covers over 251 square miles.
Silly Laws Still on the Books in North Carolina
It is illegal to use elephants to plow fields unless they are accompanied by a state-licensed elephant driver.
Bingo games cannot last more than five hours.
Alligators may not be kept in bathtubs.
If a man and a woman who are not married enter a hotel room together, they may be arrested.
It is against the law to sing off-key.
Women must have their bodies covered by at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.
Fights between cats and dogs are prohibited.
It is illegal to sell more than two drinks to the same person at a time.
No one may sing “Happy Birthday” in a public restaurant.
It is illegal to go to bed without first having a full bath.
New York State
New York City was originally settled by the Dutch in 1624 and was known as New Amsterdam until it was captured by the English in 1664 and renamed New York.
In 1785, New York City became the first capital of the United States under the new Constitution before it was moved to Philadelphia and eventually to Washington, D.C.
The Seneca Falls Convention, held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York, marked the beginning of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.
The New York Draft Riots, which took place in 1863 during the Civil War, were the largest civil insurrection in American history, sparked by opposition to conscription.
In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City resulted in the deaths of 146 garment workers, leading to significant labor reforms and safety regulations.
The Empire State Building in New York City was the tallest building in the world until the completion of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1970.
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The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, was constructed in just over a year and became an iconic symbol of New York City and the United States. During WWII, a US bomber pilot lost his way in cloudy conditions, smashing into the 78th floor of the Empire State Building. Unlike the World Trade Center, the building did not collapse. The damage was totally repaired.
The abolitionist movement gained momentum in New York State in the 19th century, and it became a critical hub for the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved individuals escape to freedom.
The construction of the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was completed in France in 1884, and it was then disassembled and shipped to New York City where it was reassembled on Liberty Island.
The Great Blizzard of 1888 paralyzed New York City and the surrounding area with record-breaking snowfall and strong winds, resulting in significant loss of life and economic disruption.
The Catskill Mountains in upstate New York were a popular destination for vacationers, entertainers and artists in the 19th and 20th centuries, inspiring the Hudson River School of landscape painting.
The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York, with a population of around 4 million people, and known for its wine production, particularly Rieslings and other cool-climate varietals, is named after the long, narrow lakes that resemble fingers on a hand.
The Adirondack Park in northern New York is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States.
The Woodstock Music Festival, one of the most iconic music events in history, took place in Bethel, New York, in 1969.
The first American pizzeria, Lombardi’s, opened in New York City in 1905 and is still operating today.
New York State has hosted the Olympic Games four times: twice in Lake Placid (1932 and 1980) and twice in New York City (1904 and 1932).
The world’s first commercial-scale electric power plant, the Pearl Street Station, began operation in New York City in 1882.
New York State is home to numerous prestigious universities, including Columbia University, Cornell University, and New York University.
New York State has more ski resorts than any other state in the United States, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
In 1859, Central Park in New York City had a “Vinegar Hill” – a small, isolated mound of rock that was made entirely of discarded vinegar barrels.
The town of Phelps, New York, holds an annual “Sauerkraut Weekend” festival to celebrate its history as a major sauerkraut producer.
In the town of Cairo, New York, there is a building known as the “World’s Smallest Church,” which can only accommodate a congregation of about 8 people.
The town of Medina, New York, is home to the “Floating Bridge,” which is a bridge built on a pontoon system, allowing it to rise and fall with changes in water levels.
The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, is home to the world’s largest collection of glass art, spanning over 3,500 years of history.
New York State has a town named “Sodom,” located in the Finger Lakes region. Its name has sparked various theories about its origin.
The village of Lake George, New York, hosts an annual “Winter Carnival” featuring events like an outhouse race, ice diving, and a chili cook-off.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, houses the National Toy Hall of Fame, where iconic toys like Barbie and LEGO have been inducted.
In the town of Saratoga Springs, New York, you can find the “Spam Museum of Saratoga Springs,” dedicated to the canned meat product.
The world’s largest kaleidoscope can be found in Mount Tremper, New York. It is housed in a silo and offers a mesmerizing visual experience.
New York State has a town named “Chili,” which is often subject to jokes and puns related to the spicy food. The town name is pronounced like “Chy ly” but also “Che lee.”
TThe town of Geneseo, New York, holds an annual “Dog Parade” where participants dress up their dogs in creative costumes and march through the streets.
The town of Sackets Harbor, New York, hosts an annual “Civil War Weekend” featuring reenactments, historical tours, and cannon firings.
Silly Laws Still on the Books in New York State
It is illegal to take a lion to the movies.
You cannot allow a donkey to sleep in your bathtub.
It is illegal to jump off a building more than 50 feet tall.
It is illegal to greet someone by putting one’s thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers.
It is illegal to keep a bear as a pet.
It is illegal to honk someone else’s car horn.
If you intend to dry your laundry on a clothesline, you must first obtain a permit.
It is illegal to frown at a police officer.
No more than three unrelated people can share an apartment.
Do not pee on pigeons unless you’re OK with breaking the law.
It is illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a crime.
It is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backward on the sidewalks of Rochester, New York.
It is illegal to wear slippers in public restrooms.
It is illegal to ride an elevator with more than four people and a dog.
It is illegal to throw a ball at a person’s head for fun in a city park.
It is illegal to walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in your pocket on Sundays.
You cannot legally change the color of a rabbit’s fur.
It is illegal to perform a puppet show without a state license.
It is illegal to keep more than two dildos in a house.
It is illegal to dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale, unless more than six are for sale at once.
It is illegal to give a dog a lighted cigar.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes are vents or openings in the Earth’s crust that allow molten rock, gases, and ash to escape from beneath the surface. That and molten iron is the stuff this whole earth is made of, and it’s right under your feet, although very far down in most cases.
The word “volcano” is derived from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
There are approximately 1,500 active volcanoes worldwide.
The largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa in Hawaii, which is also the largest shield volcano. It rises about 13,678 feet (4,169 meters) above sea level and extends about 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) below sea level.
The tallest volcano in the solar system is Olympus Mons on Mars, reaching a height of about 69,841 feet (21,287 meters), almost three times the height of Mount Everest.
Volcanoes can form on land or underwater, with some of the most spectacular volcanic activity occurring beneath the ocean surface.
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The eruptions of volcanoes can vary widely, ranging from peaceful lava flows to explosive eruptions that can eject ash, gases, and pyroclastic materials into the atmosphere.
When the Krakatoa volcano erupted in 1883, the sound could be heard 3,000 miles (4,800 km) away.
Volcanic ash can travel long distances, carried by wind currents. The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupted air travel across Europe for several days due to the ash cloud it produced.
Volcanoes are responsible for creating new land, as the lava cools and solidifies over time.
Volcanic eruptions can produce pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving currents of hot gas, ash, and volcanic materials that rush down the slopes of a volcano.
Your author and his wife had the privilege of walking on brand new real estate that hadn’t existed the day before on the Big Island of Hawaii. We were advised to bring face masks in case the wind direction shifted, wear winter-like clothing to shield us from the heat, and wear boots. Of course most of that clothing isn’t available on Hawaii, but we did dress in layers. As we walked across the dry lava, we could see cracks leading 2 inches (5 cm) down still glowing red.
We came to a river of lava, a pyroclastic flow, and were able to poke 6-foot (2-meter) ohia sticks (a straight hardwood) into the molten lava and pull some out on the instantly flaming sticks. It turned into smooth, hardened glass, with long streamers as drips froze in mid-fall. Our sneakers were smoking, and when we returned, we found that tho soles had slightly melted into new shapes.
The famous volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving them remarkably well.
Some volcanoes exhibit a lava lake, a pool of molten lava that can be observed within the volcano’s crater.
Volcanic lightning, known as “dirty thunderstorms,” can occur during volcanic eruptions due to the electrical charges generated by ash particles colliding in the plume.
The largest volcanic eruption in recorded history was the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815. It caused the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816, resulting in widespread crop failures and unusually cold temperatures.
The volcanic activity on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, is the most intense in the solar system. Its surface is covered with hundreds of active volcanoes.
Volcanic eruptions can create unique geological formations, such as volcanic cones, calderas, and lava tubes.
Some volcanoes have produced massive eruptions in the past, known as supervolcanic eruptions. The most recent one occurred about 74,000 years ago at Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Underwater volcanoes, also known as seamounts, can form islands over time when they emerge from the ocean surface.
The deadliest volcanic eruption in history occurred in 1815 on Mount Tambora, killing an estimated 71,000 people.
Some volcanoes, known as “stratovolcanoes” or composite volcanoes, are made up of alternating layers of lava, ash, and rock.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions over millions of years, as the Pacific tectonic plate moved over a hot spot in the Earth’s mantle.
Earthquake
Earthquakes can occur on any continent, including Antarctica.
Earthquakes have been recorded in every state in the United States.
The largest recorded earthquake in history was the Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960, with a magnitude of 9.5.
Earthquakes can trigger other natural disasters, such as tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.
The point within the Earth’s crust where an earthquake originates is called the hypocenter or focus.
The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter is called the epicenter.
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Earthquakes can happen at any time, but they are more likely to occur in the early morning hours.
The instrument used to measure earthquakes is called a seismometer.
Earthquakes can be caused by tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, or human activities like mining or reservoir-induced seismicity.
Many are saying the recent flooding in California and other places put more weight on the tectonic plates, and could hasten the next earthquakes.
The study of earthquakes is known as seismology.
The Earth experiences thousands of small earthquakes every day, but most of them go unnoticed by humans.
The Richter scale, developed in 1935, is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.
The largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States was the 1964 Alaska earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.2. The picture below was taken after the Alaska earthquake.
The Ring of Fire, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean, is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Earthquakes can cause changes in the Earth’s rotation, leading to slightly shorter or longer days.
The speed of seismic waves generated by an earthquake can range from a few hundred meters per second to several kilometers per second.
The San Andreas Fault in California is one of the most well-known and studied earthquake-prone areas in the world.
Earthquakes can occur underwater and are often responsible for creating new landforms, such as islands.
The deadliest earthquake in recorded history occurred in 1556 in Shaanxi, China, estimated to have claimed the lives of approximately 830,000 people.
The term “aftershock” refers to smaller earthquakes that occur after a major earthquake.
Earthquakes can cause liquefaction, where saturated soil temporarily loses its strength and behaves like a liquid.
Some animals have been observed displaying unusual behavior before an earthquake, possibly sensing the seismic activity.
Earthquakes can generate a variety of wave types, including primary (P-waves), secondary (S-waves), and surface waves.
Deep earthquakes, those occurring at depths of more than 300 kilometers (186 miles), are associated with subduction zones.
Earthquakes can be felt over long distances, and some large earthquakes have been reported to shake buildings thousands of kilometers away.
The largest recorded intraplate earthquake (occurring within a tectonic plate) was the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes in the United States.
The term “seismic gap” refers to an area along a fault line that is locked and has not experienced a significant earthquake in a long time, potentially indicating increased seismic hazard.
The study of historical seismicity helps scientists understand patterns and recurrence intervals of earthquakes in different regions.
Earthquakes can be monitored and early warning systems can provide a few seconds to minutes of advance notice before the shaking reaches a particular location.
New Mexico
New Mexico is the only state with an official state question: “Red or green?” referring to the choice of chili sauce.
The state is known as the “Land of Enchantment” and has a rich Native American and Hispanic cultural heritage.
New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanic population among all the states in the U.S.
It is home to the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States, Taos Pueblo, which has been inhabited for over 1,000 years.
The state flag of New Mexico features the Zia symbol, a sacred symbol of the Zia Pueblo Native American tribe.
The city of Santa Fe, the state capital, is the highest capital city in the United States, sitting at an elevation of 7,199 feet (2,194 meters).
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is home to one of the largest underground cave systems in the world, with more than 119 known caves.
The Trinity Site in New Mexico is where the world’s first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945.
Roswell, New Mexico gained international fame for the alleged crash of an unidentified flying object (UFO) in 1947.
The state is home to the world’s longest tramway, the Sandia Peak Tramway, which takes visitors from Albuquerque to the top of the Sandia Mountains.
Los Alamos, New Mexico has more PhDs per capita than any other city in the U.S.
The Very Large Array (VLA) is located in New Mexico, a radio astronomy observatory made up of 27 giant radio telescopes that work together to observe deep space.
The state hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
New Mexico is home to the oldest capital city in the United States, Santa Fe, which was founded in 1610.
The state has 19 Native American tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States.
New Mexico has more than 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest states in the U.S.
The world’s first commercial spaceport, Spaceport America, is located in New Mexico.
There is a town in New Mexico called “Truth or Consequences.”
The New Mexico State University in Las Cruces is home to the Chile Pepper Institute, dedicated to the research and preservation of chili peppers.
The Four Corners Monument marks the only spot in the United States where four states (New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado) meet at a single point.
Some Crazy Laws in New Mexico
In New Mexico, it is illegal for idiots to vote in elections.
It is against the law for a woman to appear unshaven in public in Carrizozo, New Mexico.
In Raton, New Mexico, it is illegal for a woman to ride horseback down a public street while wearing a kimono.
It is illegal to hunt in Mountain View, New Mexico while in a moving vehicle, except for whales.
In Silver City, New Mexico, it is forbidden for couples to have sex in a parked vehicle during their lunch break from work.
It is illegal to let a llama roam around a public highway in New Mexico.
It is illegal to dance in a public school building in New Mexico.
In New Mexico, it is illegal for a woman to cut her own hair without her husband’s permission.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, it is illegal for women to appear unshaven while wearing a bikini.
It is illegal to spit on a seagull in New Mexico.
In New Mexico, “idiots” are prohibited from operating tractors on highways.
It is against the law to walk backwards after sunset in New Mexico.
In Carlsbad, New Mexico, it is illegal to fish from the back of a camel or giraffe.
It is illegal to hunt in New Mexico with a catapult or a crossbow.
In New Mexico, it is illegal to hunt in a cemetery.
It is against the law to hunt a bear using a firearm with less than .25 caliber in New Mexico.
New Jersey
New Jersey is the fourth smallest state in the United States, but it is the most densely populated state.
It is illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey (Self-service gas stations are banned statewide).
The iconic American board game Monopoly was based on the streets and properties of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
New Jersey is home to the first ever recorded baseball game, which took place in Hoboken in 1846.
The first drive-in movie theater in the world opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933.
The world’s first recorded motion picture was filmed in West Orange, New Jersey, by Thomas Edison in 1893.
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The Holland Tunnel, connecting New Jersey and New York City, was the first mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world.
New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is often referred to as the “Diner Capital of the World.”
The longest boardwalk in the world can be found in Atlantic City, stretching over 5 miles (8 km). Built in 1870, it was initially 8 feet wide (243 cm). Now it is 60 feet (18 meters) wide.
Atlantic City in New Jersey was the first place in the United States outside of Nevada to legalize casino gambling.
New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other state in the U.S.
The famous inventor and scientist Albert Einstein resided in Princeton, New Jersey, for more than 20 years.
The first ever professional basketball game was played in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1896.
The original Miss America beauty pageant took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921.
New Jersey is home to the first Indian reservation in the United States, the Brotherton Reservation, established in 1758.
The first cultivated blueberries were developed in Whitesbog, New Jersey, in the early 20th century.
The Statue of Liberty, although located in New York Harbor, is situated closer to New Jersey than to New York.
New Jersey is home to the highest roller coaster in the world, the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.
The first ever drive-in bank was opened in New Jersey in 1946.
New Jersey is famous for its tomatoes and is sometimes referred to as the “Tomato Capital of the World.”
The Revolutionary War Battle of Trenton, where George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River, took place in New Jersey.
New Jersey is home to many prominent universities, including Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Seton Hall University.
The first organized baseball game with a codified set of rules was played in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1846.
New Jersey is known for its diverse music scene and has produced many famous musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, and Whitney Houston.
It is illegal to frown at a police officer in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, it is illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a crime.
It is illegal to delay or detain a homing pigeon.
It is illegal to slurp soup in public in Newark, New Jersey.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no sales tax or income tax, making it one of the few states in the U.S. with no broad-based tax on earned income.
New Hampshire is known as the “Granite State” because of its extensive granite formations and quarries.
The state motto of New Hampshire is “Live Free or Die.”
It was the first state to declare its independence from England in 1776.
The famous poet Robert Frost lived in New Hampshire for many years and wrote some of his most famous poems there.
The Mount Washington Observatory, located on the summit of Cannon Mounted, has recorded some of the most extreme weather conditions in the world, including the highest wind speed ever measured on land. The wind gusted to 199.3 miles per hour (320.7 kph), the highest speed the anemometer could record.
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The Old Man of the Mountain, a famous rock formation resembling a face, was a well-known symbol of New Hampshire until it collapsed in 2003.
New Hampshire is home to the oldest continuously operated general store in the United States, the Brick Store in Bath, which has been open since 1790.
The state is bordered by Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, the Atlantic Ocean, and Canada’s Quebec province.
New Hampshire has a short coastline of about 18 miles (29 kilometers), making it the smallest coastline of any U.S. state.
The first free public library in the United States was founded in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in 1833.
The first women’s strike in the United States took place in Dover, New Hampshire, in 1828, led by the female textile workers known as the “Dover Girls.”
The famous motorcycle rally, Laconia Motorcycle Week, has been held annually in Laconia, New Hampshire, since 1923 and is one of the oldest motorcycle rallies in the country. The very first ride including over a hundred motorcyclists was held in 1916. It was originally called the “Gypsy Tour.” It is not uncommon for a few riders to die most years, with seven fatalities in 2008. New Hampshire does not require helmets for riding motorcycles, which according to helmet advocates may account for some of the deaths.
The inventor of Tupperware, Earl Tupper, was born in Berlin, New Hampshire.
New Hampshire is one of the few states in the U.S. that does not require adults to wear seat belts while driving.
The first American astronaut to travel in space, Alan Shepard, was born in Derry, New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire State House in Concord is the oldest state capitol building in which the legislature meets in its original chambers
The state boasts over 800 lakes and ponds.
New Hampshire is home to the world’s longest candy counter, located at Chutters Candy Store in Littleton.
The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, spanning the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont, is the longest covered bridge in the United States.
New Hampshire has more than 70 state parks and recreation areas, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing.
These laws are on the books in New Hampshire but seldom enforced:
If a person is caught raking the beaches, picking up litter, hauling away trash, building a bench for the park, or many other kind things without a permit, he/she may be fined $150 for ‘maintaining the national forest without a permit’.
New Hampshire law forbids you to tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way keep time to the music in a tavern, restaurant, or cafe.
You may not run machinery on Sundays.
Coincidences
Both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were assassinated on a Friday while seated beside their wives. Both JFK and Abe Lincoln reported having dreams about being assassinated shortly before their deaths.
The Royal Synchronicity: Queen Elizabeth II was born on the same day that King George V, her grandfather, died.
The Unsinkable Woman: Violet Jessop, a stewardess, survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, the sinking of the HMHS Britannic in 1916, and the collision of the RMS Olympic in 1911.
On December 5, 1664, a ship sank off the coast of Wales. The only survivor was a man named Hugh Williams. On December 5, 1785, another ship sank. One man survived, another Hugh Williams. On December 5, 1860, yet another ship went down with only one survivor – you guessed it – his name was Hugh Williams.
Mark Twain and Halley’s Comet: Mark Twain was born in 1835 when Halley’s Comet appeared, and he died in 1910 when the comet returned.
The Triple Lightning Strike: In 2006, Roy Sullivan, a park ranger, was struck by lightning for the seventh time, making him the person with the most recorded lightning strikes.
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Jonathan Swift wrote a classic book called Gulliver’s Travels that borders on science fiction. It was written before ‘science fiction’ was what you called such books. In this book he wrote about two moons circling Mars. His descriptions of their size and orbital distance weren’t perfect but surprisingly accurate. He did this one hundred years before they were described by astronomers.
The Reunited Brothers: Two brothers, separated at birth, named Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, coincidentally named their sons James Alan and James Allan.
The Train Crash Prediction: In 1895, author Morgan Robertson wrote a novel titled “Futility” about an unsinkable ship named the Titan that hit an iceberg and sank. Fourteen years later, the RMS Titanic suffered a similar fate.
In 1979, a man named Frane Selak survived a train crash, a plane crash, a bus crash, and a car crash, and then won the lottery.
The Converging Paths: In 1975, two women with the same name, both traveling from England to the Canary Islands, wearing identical clothing, and carrying similar bags, ended up sitting next to each other on the plane.
The Identical Twins: In 2002, two unrelated identical twin brothers, separated at birth, named Jim Springer and Jim Lewis, coincidentally reunited and discovered they shared the same first name, occupation, and hobbies.
The Bridge Collapse: In 1940, a worker named Harold C. W. Keevil fell off the unfinished Tacoma Narrows Bridge but survived. A year later, he was on the same bridge when it collapsed, but he survived again.
The Struck by Lightning Brothers: In 2018, two brothers, aged 5 and 7, were both struck by lightning on separate occasions within the span of a year.
The Separated Sisters: In 2007, two sisters named Samantha Futerman and Anaïs Bordier, who were adopted from South Korea, discovered they were identical twins after one saw the other in a YouTube video.
The Winning Lottery Numbers: In 2003, the winning numbers of the Virginia Lottery’s Pick 4 game were 6-6-6-6, causing a record number of winners and resulting in the lottery having to pay out millions of dollars.
The Mysterious Subway Meeting: In 2008, two strangers named Laura and Laura, who had the same birthday, height, hair color, and were both wearing a black coat and a red scarf, accidentally bumped into each other on the London Underground.
