Tag Archives: factslaps

We’re the Kids in America

declaration of independence

No, that rumble you heard today was not the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse come to level Los Angeles for its gay marriages, legal weed or traffic. Just an earthquake. Sorry Donnie and the Believers

And since Mother Nature got the party going early, lets sync with her with some fireworks and Factslaps to commemorate the immigrants who left an oppressive government, risked and lost lives to cross hostile borders, and finally sought asylum in the home of the free. Sound familiar?

  • Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. Four others were also on the committee: Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Robert Livingston.image
  • John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. He made his mark in the center and it’s the largest signature on the document, likely because he was President of Congress at the time, according to the National Archives.john hancock signature
  • Independence Day should have been celebrated on July 2, 1776. Although the document was dated July 4, congress actually voted for independence from Great Britain two days prior on July 2, 1776. It apparently wasn’t signed by everyone until August 2, 1776.
  • John Adams wrote a letter to his wife about how memorable Independence Day would be in American history. He was obviously right — in his letter, he said the day should be celebrated with parades, bonfires, and fireworks.image
  • The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration. It came out in the newspaper on July 6, 1776 for everyone to see, after a local printer named John Dunlap produced copies of the declaration’s manuscript.image
  • An estimated 2.5 million people lived in the nation in July 1776. As of July 2017, about 325.7 million people live in the U.S., according to the United States Census.
  • Three presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 — on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.
  • Independence Day was once celebrated on July 5. The holiday fell on a Sunday in 1779, so the country celebrated on July 5th instead.4th of july parade
  • U.S. soldiers got a special treat on the 4th of July in 1778. George Washington helped the troops celebrate by allowing them a double ration of rum, according to Live Science.
  • Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks every year. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, the numbers continue to go up every year. The biggest celebration is the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show, which takes over 8,000 hours to prepare.fireworks show
  • There are 33 places in the United States with the word “liberty” in their names. According to the U.S. Census, four of them are counties — Georgia, Florida, Montana, and Texas have a Liberty County.
  • It didn’t become a federal holiday until 1870. It took nearly 100 years for it to be recognized as such, but when it finally happened it was up in the ranks with Christmas and a few other holidays.kids on 4th of july
  •  Around 150 million hot dogs are consumed on Fourth of July. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, that’s enough dogs to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times.Image result for hot dog july 4

Summer’s in Bloom

Image result for the milky way galaxy

In honor of the summer solstice — and my getting off my lazy ass to do a FactSlap column — we bring you these tidbits from the solar system we call home:

  • It takes the solar system about 240 million years to complete one orbit of the galaxy.Image result for It takes the solar system about 240 million years to complete one orbit of the galaxy.
  • The sun accounts for about 99.86% of the total mass of the solar system.
  • Earth is the only place in the solar system where water can be present in its three states: solid, liquid and vapor.Image result for the earth
  • Earth is the only place in the solar system where a total solar eclipse can happen.
  • Neptune has the strongest winds in the solar system: 1,304 mph. Image result for neptune
  • If an atom were as big as the solar system, a neutrino would as small as a golf ball.
  • Sweden has the largest scale model of the solar system in the world. It is in the scale of 1:20 million and stretches 590 miles across the country.Related image

And Her Gift? A Mop and Bucket

I have so many questions.

But first, congratulations, Melanie (Donnie copy edited this)! You turned 49 yesterday. Hope it was everything a woman dreams on the edge of a half century. I hear President Globular is even going to take his socks off during your birthday sex.

Now the questions:

Who the hell runs the White House Twitter feed? Apparently, Donnie was hosting some dignitaries Friday in another room when the shot was taken, but THIS is the pic you chose to officially wish Melania a Happy Birthday? You couldn’t find one of her on the crapper?

And what is she doing there, anyway? It’s your birthday, and hubby talked you into celebrating on a couch with paparazzi?

Finally, what did prez get her? My guess is an unsigned paperback copy of The Art of the Deal.Image result for the art of the deal

Now for something less distasteful: FactSlaps.

  • The average U.S. gamer is 35 years old.Image result for middle aged gamer
  • China invests more each year in renewable power than any other country on earth.
  • Iceland and Finland have the lowest infant mortality rate in the world.Image result for china renewable energy
  • Macaulay Culkin was the first child actor to earn $1 million for a movie.Image result for macaulay culkin home alone
  • Ta’u island in American Samoa runs on 100% solar energy.
  • Of the 56 million abortions that take place worldwide every year, 45% are not considered safe by WHO standards.
  • Sharks are older than trees. Image result for sharks
  • Older fish live longer if fed the feces of younger fish. Image result for fish feces