Unit 2 United States and Canada Final Exam Review
The Us is home to more than 327 1000000 people. It remains the land of the free and the dwelling of the brave, just it's not e'er the identify of the most well-informed people, and this widespread knowledge deficit even includes facts nigh the The states itself.
These facts about the United States are likely not common knowledge, regardless of your age bracket. Run into how many of these facts you already know.
If You lot're Having a Tough Day, Consider the Knox Trek
The Knox Expedition, also known as the Noble Train of Artillery, should help put your ain troubles in perspective. In 1775, Colonel Henry Knox of the Continental Army was tasked with transporting a supply of immensely heavy weaponry 300 miles during the winter. These were the years that independence was truly won for America, and it wasn't like shooting fish in a barrel.
Knox and his men moved a whopping threescore tons of weaponry over the grade of a brutal iii-month wintertime. It took men, boats, ox-fatigued sleds and horses to move that weight from Ticonderoga, NY to Boston. So what's on your plate today?
The U.S. Camel Corps
But when you thought that American military machine ingenuity was in its golden age, yous find out virtually the United States Camel Corps. And naturally, yous wonder why the Camel Corps isn't a staple of modern battlefields.
The Camel Corps was actually only relevant during the mid-1800s. What started with camels being shipped in to help westbound settlers evolved into the U.South Army training them for use in the western United States. Unfortunately, the Civil War brought an cease to the Camel Corps experiment.
The Designer of the Current American Flag Was a Teenager
Robert M. Heft has been referred to as the Betsy Ross of the current, l-star American flag, though he does not receive about the publicity that Ross does. Heft, who passed abroad in 2009, designed the 50-star flag as role of a school project, chirapsia over 1,500 other designs.
It's astounding that Heft does not concord a larger role in American history, but more than astounding yet is that Heft was a teenager when he designed the flag. He was but 17 at the time.
Land of the Gratuitous, Home of the Venus Flytrap
The United states is the proud birthplace of then many things. The cheeseburger, rock and ringlet music, Meryl Streep — there's no denying that many popular things were created inside the borders of the The states. Weirdly enough, you lot tin count the Venus Flytrap in that number besides.
While this strange and predatory found might seem like it had to take come from exotic country, the truth is that it'due south native to the Due east Coast of the Us. Who would accept guessed that such a constitute was as American every bit apple tree pie?
Lake Superior…No Kidding
Do you have any idea how a lake like Lake Superior gets its name? Here's a hint: its proper name is non coincidental, nor is information technology ironic. While the name actually comes from the French term for "upper lake", the sheer size of Lake Superior makes it, for lack of a ameliorate discussion, superior to all other freshwater lakes.
Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake on the face of the planet judging past surface expanse. If you are ranking freshwater lakes by volume, it ranks third. If you say the U.S. contains the largest freshwater lake, you're not wrong.
Centralia, PA: An American Ghost Town
Centralia is a town in Eastern Pennsylvania that is nigh as close every bit it gets to a ghost town — except information technology all the same has a few residents. As of 2017, the population of Centralia was somewhere between five and 10 people, depending on which source you consult.
That is a massive drib from the i,000 people who lived in Centralia circa 1980. It doesn't appear to be a hot spot for young professionals either, as the median age at last bank check was 64. A coal mine burn down has been burning beneath Centralia since 1962, .
Americans Absolutely LOVE Pizza
You do not take to spend much time in the United States to realize that Americans dearest their pizza. Whether you are in the middle of Brooklyn, a seven-11 in the centre of Idaho, or somewhere in between, there's a loftier likelihood that you can have a pizza in your hand in 30 minutes or less.
But the extent to which Americans truly dearest pizza is amazing. Americans eat an estimated 100 acres worth of pizza every day, the equivalent of 3 billion pizzas each twelvemonth, and 46 slices per person in America (as of 2015).
The Majority Of American Presidents Have Served
According to the Department of Veterans Diplomacy, 26 of the 45 American presidents have served in the military. Some of the standouts in terms of military valor include Ulysses Southward. Grant, who steered the Matrimony Army to victory in the Civil State of war, George Washington (naturally) and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who played an instrumental role in winning WWII.
It's not a prerequisite for a president to have served in the military machine, equally the presidencies of Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Barack Obama can attest to. It turns out, still, that being a military veteran — and amend nevertheless, a hero — doesn't hurt.
The New River Is One One-time River
If you are looking for artifacts of the past in North America, you can't find anything that is much older than the New River. The New River is considered by most to be the oldest river in North America. It runs from the Bluish Ridge Mountains in North Carolina into parts of Virginia and West Virginia.
The river is approximately 320 miles long, and some scientists believe that it may be even older than the Appalachian Mountains through which it makes its path. That's one old river, merely you can but call it the New.
Did Yous Receive Your Civil War Pension This Calendar month?
Odds are you don't receive a Ceremonious War alimony, but if y'all're Irene Triplett, you very much do. Some fantastic life circumstances resulted in Irene Triplett standing to receive a Civil War pension fifty-fifty in the 21st century.
Irene's father, Mose, served in the Civil State of war when he was 16. He had Irene with his married woman — who was 50 years younger than him — when he was 84! Ever since Irene's mother and father passed away, she received Mose's $73.xiii alimony cheque each month from the U.S. regime. She was 90 at the commencement of 2020.
Come up on in, Canada!
While Canada and the United States have like cultures, they remain decidedly separate countries. That may seem like a foregone conclusion today, but there was one time the possibility of both nations beingness one
The Manufactures of Confederation served as the United States' kickoff constitution and stated that America's neighbor to the due north could become the 14th state (at the time) and so long as they renounced their loyalty to the crown of England. Every bit it turns out, that did non happen, and Canada remained, well, Canada.
America the Generous
While there are some people who say many Americans are cocky-centered, the people of the United States are also considerately donating, at least by one measure out. Co-ordinate to the Earth Giving Alphabetize, America is the almost generous nation on the face of the planet.
Absolutely, the alphabetize relies on self-reporting from Gallup Surveys, and who is going to admit that they haven't volunteered or given to charity in the past ten years? It's also truthful that richer countries are more likely to brand donations in the kickoff place, since they can afford to give. Even so, the Giving Index still counts!
Practice You Know Your State Vocal?
Almost every American is of the national anthem, even if they've forgotten or never learned the words. Simply even the almost patriotic Americans may non be aware that many states besides accept their own song. Some fifty-fifty have a state anthem in addition to a state song.
Take "Get, Mississippi" for example. Mississippians out there, accept you ever heard of it? Have you sung it? Maybe Nevadans out there are familiar with "Home Ways Nevada", while Californians may know the lyrics in "I Dearest You, California. Maybe, simply probably non.
The U.S. Supreme Court Loves to Ball
The United States Supreme Courtroom is an of import institution, merely non exactly a thrilling one. While knowing each of the justices who have dedicated their lives to crafting the law of the land is of import for civic-minded Americans, the Supreme Court only isn't as exciting as, say, a game of basketball
Except for when the two are the same thing. Surprisingly, a onetime storage room on the superlative floor of the Supreme Court edifice was converted into a basketball game court where the justices and their clerks can decompress with an occasional game of hoops.At that place's no word on whether all the judges actually gather to play, but nosotros'll however imagine Ruth Bader Ginsberg dunking on John Roberts.
Kentucky and Bourbon Are Inseparable
It's nearly impossible to overstate the extent to which the identity of the state of Kentucky is tied to bourbon, a barrel-aged whiskey fabricated primarily from corn mash. Estimates for how many barrels of bourbon are currently aging in Kentucky range from eight.5 million to more nine million.
For perspective, the population of Kentucky is expected to be around 4.6 million by the time the 2020 demography is complete. That means every resident of Kentucky could take approximately two barrels of whiskey to themselves — and that'southward just what's in the barrels.
Some States Are More for Cows Than Humans
When we talk almost population growth, unremarkably humans are at the eye of the conversation. But in sure states, it is not the threat of humans overwhelming resources that is virtually pressing. Instead, cattle outnumber humans, and by a large margin.
Of all usa in the wedlock, South Dakota has the greatest cattle-to-human ratio, with iv.six cattle to each South Dakotan. There are 3.5 cattle in the country of Nebraska for each human resident, while in New Jersey there is less than 1 percent of a moo-cow or steer for each person.
St. Augustine, Florida Is Older Than Jamestown
Fifty-fifty the most blank-bones American history courses teach students about the kickoff English language settlement on the continent: Jamestown in 1607. And if you polled a group of Americans, yous would probably become more than a couple who believe Jamestown is the oldest city in America.
That'south not quite the instance, notwithstanding. While Jamestown is considered to be the oldest English settlement in the country, St. Augustine, Florida was founded before past the Spanish in 1565.
You Can Give thanks Abe for Your Turkey
Do you know how Thanksgiving came to autumn on the fourth Th of November every year? Well, similar for many things, you lot tin give thanks the top-hatted genius Abraham Lincoln for making your Turkey Day as consistent every bit possible.
In October of 1863 (how many score ago is that, once again?) Honest Abe decreed that the 4th Thursday of every November would be designated for giving cheers and eating turkey. FDR tried to move Thanksgiving to the tertiary Thursday in November simply ultimately relented when Congress insisted they follow Abe's original mandate.
America: Reigning Rugby Champs
If yous follow Rugby, yous know that the U.s. is not typically top of the scrum when it comes to winning international competitions. Nations such as New Zealand, England, Australia and fifty-fifty Republic of the fiji islands have more storied, well-funded and successful rugby programs than the Usa.
You might be surprised then to acquire that the most contempo Olympic gilded medal in the sport went to the Americans … in 1924. That was the last time rugby was played equally an Olympic sport, and other nations haven't had a chance to repossess the gold. Who cares? United states! Usa! USA!
All Near State Constitutions
The U.s.a. Constitution gets a lot of love. It'southward the single document at the heart of the United States. Information technology'due south definitely important, only you know what documents don't get well-nigh enough love? State constitutions.
Have Alabama, for example. Information technology's the longest constitution in the world, with over 389,000 words outlining the basic principles that Alabamians chose to alive by when they adopted the current version in 1901. Massachusetts has the oldest state constitution from 1780, while Rhode Island's is the newest, having only been ratified in 1986.
Louisiana: The Hippo State
When the Earth'southward Off-white came to New Orleans in 1884, water hyacinths plant were brought in to add vibrancy to the city'south waterways. However, the problem with water hyacinths are that they spread quickly, and then the new plants rapidly took over local waterways. In society to combat the trouble, someone came up with a novel solution: bring in hippopotamuses.
Hippos are known to eat water hyacinths, so a bill was proposed to allocate $250,000 to bring in hippos to New Orleans. Fortunately (or unfortunately, for all you lot hippo enthusiasts out there), the bill never passed, and New Orleans remains gratis of wild hippos.
July 2d: The Real Independence Day
Whether it'due south because they honey beer and hotdogs or setting off fireworks, most Americans know that Independence Day is celebrated on the Fourth of July. However, according to history, July second is the existent Independence Day.
The Second Continental Congress met on July second, 1776 in Philadelphia. There they voted to corroborate a resolution to go a nation contained from Great britain. While July 4th is the day of official adoption, July 2nd is arguably more significant.
NASA: Ladies Welcome
If yous look back at many of the almost historic space missions and the movies based on them, they mostly involve men. Space exploration was a decidedly sexist affair dorsum in the day, only don't permit that fool you into thinking American women haven't accomplished anything great in infinite.
In fact, the astronaut who fix the American record for most cumulative time spent in space was Peggy Whitson. (The Russians are even so in the lead.) Female astronauts continue to attain amazing things in space, including Christina Koch, who set the tape for longest space flight by a woman (and fifth overall) in 2019.
Sacagawea Was One Bad Female parent, Literally
The term 'bad mother' can refer to somebody who sets their own rules, achieves amazing things and merely doesn't requite a, ahem, hoot. By that measure, Sacagawea, who helped Lewis and Clark discover a dainty chunk of uncharted America, was definitely a bad mother.
In add-on to having the skills necessary to navigate a big clamper of the continent, Sacagawea was literally a mother, which makes the championship 'bad female parent' all the more fitting. She gave birth to her son just ii months before leading the trek and even took her newborn forth for the trip.
Mustangs: Icons of the Quondam West, Not Actually American
Whether you're talking most the horse or the automobile, mustangs are quintessentially American. While the Ford Mustang is an American-made archetype and certainly non an import, some may be surprised to learn that the horse is non native.
Despite being synonymous with the American Westward, the mustang horses that you tin all the same detect roaming free in a few select parts of the land were originally brought to the New Earth during the 16th century by Castilian conquerors. Consider the mustang an adopted role of American civilization, simply of the culture nevertheless.
Don't Forget Amelia
Amelia Earhart remains one of the near iconic Americans in history and is among i of the most iconic women in history, period. Unfortunately, she's oftentimes most strongly associated with her disappearance, which remains i of the great unsolved mysteries of our time.
This understandable fascination with Earhart's demise, all the same, oftentimes results in people forgetting nearly her accomplishments. Perhaps almost noteworthy is that she was the second person always to successfully cross the Atlantic Body of water without assistance from a co-pilot or crew. Only Charles Lindbergh did it before her.
Harriet Tubman, Civil State of war Hero
Harriet Tubman is an enduring figure in American history. Most know her equally a leading figure in the Hugger-mugger Railroad, the organization of people who helped slaves escape to freedom north of the Mason-Dixon Line. But fewer people know that Tubman also played a part in the Civil State of war endeavor.
In order to further the movement towards abolitionism, Tubman was a spotter, spy and nurse for the Marriage ground forces. Similar near Civil War soldiers, she was not paid much for her service and had to supplement her pay past selling root beer and pies.
Bison: American-Born and Huge
Bison are some of the most royal mammals in North America and objectively the largest. They can grow up to six feet tall and weigh up to a ton. You lot don't want to mess with these guys.
While a few grand bison roam the plains of Southern Canada, the majority of them live in America, which is why they take become synonymous with the American West. Yellowstone National Park is the only location that has been a continuous home to the bison since their near-extinction in the belatedly 1800'south and early 1900s.
Who Needs College?
Graduating college has become something of a prerequisite for inbound many professional spheres today. Whether you desire to exist a lawyer, therapist, engineer or teacher, you likely need a degree to be taken seriously.
But two of the most important men in American history, the brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, did not go to college, and they invented the freaking airplane. The next time a lack of college education makes either yous a friend feel down, just call back that.
One President Didn't Live in The White House
It'due south tradition for American presidents to alive in the White Business firm, situated at 1600 Pennsylvania Artery in the eye of Washington, D.C. Information technology offers proximity to the chirapsia heart of the nation'due south politics and culture.
Yet there is i president who never lived at the White House: George Washington, the first president. While he selected the site of the future home of every other U.S. president, it wasn't completed during his presidency.
Source: https://www.faqtoids.com/knowledge/obscure-facts-united-states-probably-dont-know?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740006%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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