The Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping

Although this incident happened over 90 years ago, it still intrigues me. This was one of the first mysteries I ever read about in high school and it’s stuck with me. March 1 is the 91^st anniversary of the event, so I am bringing the tale to you from the All That’s Interesting website. (I have added some pictures because some of the pictures in the story would not post for me.)

The Tragic Story Of The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping

By Katie Serena

On May 12, 1932, the tiny body of one-year-old Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr. was discovered in the woods outside of Trenton, New Jersey. The coroner’s report stated that the child had been dead for over two months. The child’s skull had a hole in it as well as several other fractures, and the coroner ruled the cause of death as a blow to the head. Several of the baby’s body parts were also missing.

The Lindbergh baby, the son of Spirit of St. Louis pilot Charles Lindbergh Sr., had been missing for roughly three months after being kidnapped from his crib at the Lindbergh home.

The child had been put to bed by the nurse at 7:30 PM. Two hours later, Lindbergh Sr. heard a noise coming from that he assumed to be a wooden crate, snapping in the kitchen. At 10:00 PM, the nurse discovered that the child’s crib was empty.

After discovering that the child was not with the nurse, or with his mother, Lindbergh Sr. discovered a ransom note on the windowsill and a broken ladder outside the window. After reading the note, Lindbergh Sr. fruitlessly searched the house and the grounds before calling the police.

For three months, the Lindbergh family, along with the FBI, searched for the child, even fulfilling an enormous ransom request and interviewing countless suspects and witnesses.

In the end, the official culprit named was Richard Hauptmann, an immigrant from Germany who had a criminal record back in his homeland. Police discovered Hauptmann in possession of $14,000 of the original $50,000 used to pay the ransom after tracking him through one of the $10 bills he had spent at a local gas station.

Hauptmann was arrested and charged with capital murder of the Lindbergh baby, a charge that allowed the death penalty as a possible option. The trial was dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” with one reporter even claiming it was the “biggest story since the Resurrection.”

As big as the trial was, the jury was surprisingly quick to return a guilty verdict. He was immediately sentenced to death and his two requests for appeal were both denied. On April 3, 1936, four years after the kidnapping, Richard Hauptmann was executed via electric chair.

The Official Investigation Of The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping

Though the case seemed open and shut on paper, the investigation was far from. Between the media frenzy, the mysterious ransom letters, and the numerous side investigations happening, it’s a miracle anyone was convicted.

When the Lindbergh baby kidnapping was first reported, hundreds of loyal Lindbergh fans and concerned citizens descended upon the Lindbergh estate. While the media attention helped to boost the case and help spread the word about the missing toddler, the high levels of traffic on the estate effectively destroyed any footprint evidence that might have been found outside the home.

It also encouraged hundreds of false reports of sightings and information. Military officials and investigators all offered their services, claiming to have expertise in kidnappings and law enforcement. However, only one of them truly did.

Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Department, along with Lindbergh, theorized that the Lindbergh kidnapping was part of an organized crime ring rather than a single perpetrator seeking the ransom money. Following that lead, they reached out to mobsters, both in and out of prison, hoping one of them would have information on the Lindbergh baby.

Al Capone himself even reached out to Lindbergh, offering his services in exchange for an early prison release, though he was quickly denied. Similarly, it was decided that mobsters were likely to be less than helpful when it came to offering up information for free.

Due to the media circus and the high profile of Lindbergh, President Herbert Hoover was notified of the kidnapping the morning after it happened. Though kidnappings were usually dealt with among local authorities, Hoover assigned the entire Bureau of Investigation (not yet Federal) to the case and authorized them to work with the New Jersey police.

As a reward for information pertaining to Charles Lindbergh Jr.’s case, the police department offered up $25,000. In addition, the Lindbergh family offered another $50,000 of their own.

The Unofficial Investigation

While the New Jersey Police were investigating alongside the Lindbergh family, a retired New York school teacher was also taking an interest in the Lindbergh baby case.

John F. Condon, who was at the time a well-known personality in the Bronx, wrote a letter to a local newspaper offering a reward of $1,000 if the kidnapper would return “Little Lindy” to a Catholic priest. Surprisingly, Condon received a letter back from people claiming to be the kidnappers, asking Condon to be their intermediary between them and Lindbergh.

Lindbergh, desperate to find his son, agreed, allowing Condon to fulfill the letters request. Condon placed a classified ad in another newspaper and arranged a meeting with one of the kidnappers to take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

The meeting did indeed take place, though under cover of darkness, so the culprit’s face was never clearly seen. However, the man said his name was John and claimed he was part of an escaped Scandinavian gang. He claimed to have the toddler in his possession in a boat off the coast and would return it for the ransom. When Condon doubted the man’s story, the man promised to return the baby’s pajamas.

Indeed, a few weeks later, Condon received a toddler’s sleeping suit in the mail. Lindbergh confirmed that the pajamas were his sons and asked Condon to continue communicating with the kidnappers and fulfilling their requests.

The Ransom For The Lindbergh Baby

Over the course of the Lindbergh kidnapping investigation, the Lindberghs and Condon received a total of seven ransom letters. The first was found by Charles in his son’s room immediately after discovering the boy was gone. It outlined the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and asked for $50,000 to be delivered to a yet-undisclosed location in small bills.

The first note was signed with a “signature,” a hand-drawn symbol comprised of three circles and three punched out holes. The second and third notes, delivered to the Lindbergh home and local investigators, carried the same symbols. The rest of the notes were delivered to Condon and did not carry the notes, though their authenticity was confirmed.

After the delivery of the seventh note, the Lindberghs and the police authorized Condon to orchestrate a drop off of the funds. The ransom money was comprised of gold certificates, chosen because they were about to be withdrawn from circulation, placed inside a handmade box, specifically designed so that it would be easy to recognize in the future. The bills were not marked, but each bill’s serial number was recorded so it could be tracked in the future.

Condon met with “John” on April 2, 1932, to hand over the money. He was told at the meeting that Charles Lindbergh Jr. was in the custody of two innocent women but provided no further information.

Having no leads besides “Cemetery John,” the police began tracking the serial numbers of the ransom bills.

A pamphlet was distributed to businesses in New York containing the serial numbers and providing information for what to do if they were found. Some of the bills turned up, though most went unseen. Most of the bills that appeared showed up randomly and in scattered locations such as Chicago and Minneapolis, though the people who had used them were never located.

A break in the case came on the day that the gold certificates, which made up a large sum of the ransom, were ordered to be turned in for other bills. A New York man brought $2,980 into a Manhattan bank, hoping to exchange them. It was only after he left the bank that it was discovered that the serial numbers matched those of the ransom bills.

Over a period of 30 months, police noticed that many of the bills had started popping up, specifically in the upper east side of Manhattan. Even more specifically, they were being spent along the Lexington Avenue subway route. After a local gas station called and said they had one of the ransom bills in their possession, police were led to Richard Hauptmann.

Other Suspects

Though Hauptmann is considered the official kidnapper of Charles Lindbergh Jr., that hasn’t stopped conspiracy theorists from coming up with their own version of what actually happened during the Lindbergh kidnapping.

Defenders of Hauptmann’s are quick to point out that his fingerprints were never found on the ladder or any of the ransom notes. They also attest to the fact that the crime scene was a mess from the start and that any evidence available was quickly compromised by the media circus it became.

Some experts — both self-proclaimed and legitimate — have theorized that Hauptmann was a scapegoat and that Lindbergh knew who the real kidnapper was but was either in on it or too afraid to say anything.

In fact, one of the most popular, and some might say substantiated claims is that the kidnapping was perpetrated by Charles Lindbergh himself. Some say that he accidentally killed his son while attempting a practical joke and staged the kidnapping to cover up his crimes, pointing the finger at Hauptmann to cover his own deeds.

Some believe that Lindbergh orchestrated the kidnapping as a publicity stunt and that after the hired kidnappers didn’t get whatever it was Lindbergh had promised them, the stunt went horribly wrong.

Lindbergh, his family, and the New Jersey police have argued against the theories that he was responsible for the kidnapping, insisting that everything they knew about the case suggested it had been legitimate and that the toddler’s death was simply the result of the kidnapper snapping under pressure.

Whatever the case, though it is closed, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping has become one of the most controversial and conspiratorial cases to ever be discussed by the American public.

Outside of pop culture and media, the case broke ground when it pushed Congress to pass the Federal Kidnapping Act, which made transporting a kidnapping victim across state lines a federal offense. The law is commonly referred to as the “Lindbergh Law.”

SOURCE: https://allthatsinteresting.com/lindbergh-baby-kidnapping

MAS*H Farewell

Today is the 40^th anniversary of the M*A*S*H series finale. The Mental Floss website has a list of 17 interesting things we might not know or remember (from an article dated February 28, 2018.)

In 1968, surgeon H. Richard Hornberger—using the nom de plume of Richard Hooker—collaborated with writer W.C. Heinz to create the book MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, based on his experiences with the 8055th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. Two years later, Robert Altman used the book as the basis for a movie about the fictional 4077th unit (he cut the number 8055 in half). Two years after that, M*A*S*H came to life again in the form of an 11-season television series. And 35 years ago today, that show culminated in the most-watched series finale in television history. Here are some facts about the show that won’t get you a Section 8.

ALAN ALDA AND JAMIE FARR SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY.

Alda (Hawkeye Pierce) was in the Army Reserve for six months in Korea. Farr enlisted, and was stationed in Japan when Red Skelton requested his services on his USO Tour through Korea. Wayne Rogers (Trapper John McIntyre) joined the U.S. Navy for a time as a ship navigator. Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicut) served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

MCLEAN STEVENSON AUDITIONED FOR HAWKEYE, AND COMEDIAN ROBERT KLEIN TURNED DOWN THE ROLE OF TRAPPER JOHN.

Stevenson was convinced to take the role of Lt. Colonel Henry Blake instead. As for Klein, he denied a claim that he lived to regret the decision.

LARRY GELBART WROTE THE PILOT IN TWO DAYS FOR $25,000.

The veteran screenwriter had been living in London after growing tired of Hollywood, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try to adapt Robert Altman’s movie for television audiences.

KLINGER WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE IN ONE EPISODE.

He was also supposed to be gay. Jamie Farr’s character was changed to a heterosexual who cross-dressed to try to get himself kicked out of Korea. Allegedly, the Klinger character was influenced by comedian Lenny Bruce’s claim that he got discharged from the Navy for claiming to have “homosexual tendencies.”

ONLY THE NETWORK WANTED THE LAUGH TRACK.

Gelbart and executive producer Gene Reynolds were against the canned laughter; unfortunately, CBS knew of no other way to present a 30-minute “comedy.” Gelbart and Reynolds did manage to get the network to agree to take out the laughing during the scenes in the operating room, and as the seasons progressed, the track got quieter and quieter. In the U.K., the BBC omitted the laugh track entirely.

CBS DIDN’T WANT ONE “UNPATRIOTIC” EPISODE.

An episode where soldiers stand outside in the freezing cold so that they can make themselves sick enough to be sent home was rejected by CBS. That soldier tactic was apparently actually used during the Korean War.

THE WRITERS CAME UP WITH AN INGENIOUS WAY OF DEALING WITH SCRIPT COMPLAINTS.

After growing tired of having to listen to cast members’ notes about their scripts, M*A*S*H writer Ken Levine and his fellow scribes changed their script on two occasions so that the actors were forced to pretend it was parka weather on 90- to 100-degree days on their Malibu ranch set. They took the hint and the “ticky tack” notes stopped.

WAYNE ROGERS WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE SHOW BECAUSE HE NEVER SIGNED A CONTRACT.

Rogers was threatened with a breach of contract lawsuit. The problem was that he had never signed a deal, objecting to the standard contract given to TV actors when he had started playing Trapper John, particularly the “morals clause,” which he considered antiquated. Rogers said that aside from missing the cast—and his friendship with Alda in particular—he had no regrets about leaving the show after season three.

ALDA WAS THE ONLY ACTOR WHO WAS AWARE OF HENRY BLAKE’S FATE UNTIL MOMENTS BEFORE SHOOTING THE FINAL SCENE IN “ABYSSINIA, HENRY.”

Gelbart and Reynolds used the opportunity for McLean Stevenson wanting to leave after the third season to “make a point” about the “wastefulness” of war, and decided to kill off Henry Blake. After distributing the script without the last page and shooting all of the scenes written therein, Gelbart asked the cast to wait a few minutes before the start of the end-of-season wrap party and gave them each one copy of the final page, where Radar enters the O.R. and announces that Henry didn’t make it.

Larry Linville (Frank Burns) immediately remarked that it was “f***ing brilliant.” Gary Burghoff (Radar) turned to Stevenson and called him a son of a bitch, because he was going to get an acting Emmy for the episode. (He didn’t.) They then shot the scene in two takes. Gelbart and Reynolds claimed they received over 1000 letters from people upset over the ending. Reynolds also claimed that CBS was so unhappy with the decision that in at least one repeat airing, they cut out the final scene.

THE WRITERS RAN OUT OF NAMES.

During season six, there’s an episode that features four Marine patients named after the 1977 California Angels infield. Throughout season seven, the patients were named after the 1978 Los Angeles Dodgers. Ken Levine didn’t just use baseball players’ names though; in “Goodbye Radar,” Radar’s new girlfriend was named after one of Levine’s former lady friends, Patty Haven.

THE SERIES LASTED MUCH LONGER THAN THE ACTUAL KOREAN WAR.

The series spent 11 years telling the story of Army doctors and nurses dealing with a three year, one month, and two day war.

ALDA CO-WROTE 13 AND DIRECTED 31 EPISODES OF THE SERIES.

That 31 count includes the series finale. Alda was the first person to ever win an Emmy for acting, directing, and writing on the same program.

A METRIC TON OF FUTURE STARS MADE GUEST APPEARANCES.

Ron Howard played an underage Marine. Leslie Nielsen played a Colonel. Patrick Swayze portrayed an injured soldier with leukemia. John Ritter, Laurence Fishburne, Pat Morita, Rita Wilson, George Wendt, Shelley Long, Ed Begley Jr., Blythe Danner, Teri Garr, and even Andrew Dice Clay also all visited the 4077th.

THE SERIES FINALE IS STILL THE MOST WATCHED EPISODE OF TELEVISION IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

Seventy-seven percent of the people watching television in the United States on the night of Monday, February 28, 1983 were watching the two-and-a-half-hour series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” That was 121.6 million people. A company only had to pay $30,000 to run a 30-second commercial when M*A*S*H got started in 1972. For the series finale, a 30-second spot cost $450,000.

THERE WERE THREE SPINOFFS.

Trapper John, M.D., aired from 1979 to 1986 and was about Trapper John McIntyre’s present-day tenure as chief of surgery back in San Francisco (it didn’t star Wayne Rogers). AfterMASH featured Col. Potter (Harry Morgan), Father Mulcahy (William Christopher), and Klinger (Jamie Farr) working at a veterans’ hospital in Missouri right after the events of M*A*S*H; it was cancelled in its second season as it was unable to compete with The A-Team. W*A*L*T*E*R followed the new adventures of Walter “Radar” O’Reilly (Burghoff again), who became a St. Louis cop after losing the family farm and his wife (not Patty Haven) and attempting suicide. The pilot wasn’t picked up, and only aired once, and only in the eastern and central time zones, on CBS on July 17, 1984.

RADAR’S TEDDY BEAR WAS SOLD AND RETURNED TO BURGHOFF.

Burghoff said Radar’s teddy bear had been lost for 30 years until it suddenly turned up at an auction in 2005. A medical student bought it for $11,500, and promptly sold it back to Burghoff.

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER FOUND THE SHOW’S TIME CAPSULE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

In the series’ penultimate episode, “As Time Goes By,” the characters bury a time capsule under the Fox Ranch. Two months later, the land was sold. Soon after, a construction worker found the capsule and got in contact with Alan Alda to ask what he should do with it. After he was told to keep it, Alda claimed the construction worker “didn’t seem very impressed.”

Happy Farewell Anniversary M*A*S*H!

BEAGLES!

From the Mrs Doggie website, here are interesting facts to know more about Beagles and why they are one of the most beloved dog breeds:

Beagles are small, but they are Big!

It doesn’t sound very clear, but yes. Beagles are generally under the small dog category, but they have two different sizes. To classify a pure Beagle breed, it must fall under the height limits. Some stand under 13 inches. Thus, they are considerably smaller than other breeds. However, some Beagles are slightly bigger but are short of 15 inches tall. In the US, dogs that go beyond this limit will be under another classification. On the other hand, there is another size classification implemented in the UK. In this part of the world, Beagles can be as tall as 16 inches. It is a 3-inch difference from the standard set for this breed in the US.

The Beagle Ear and Nose Tandem

The ears and the nose have different functions, though they are in the same system in the body. For Beagles, these two areas function uniquely together. The breed standard requires that the tip of the Beagle’s ears reach the tip of their nose when drawn out. It seems like the norm because Beagle ears are large and long. And it is supposed to help these dogs keep up with the scent that they are following. How? Well, according to experts, Beagle ears catch and keep the scent particles close to the dog’s nose. Thus, this dog can take as much scent information as possible. These physical attributes make Beagles excellent hunting and detection dogs. They are one of the few dog breeds and scent hound dogs that use the nose and ear combo.

Great Vocalization Abilities

If you love peace and quiet, Beagles might not be your ideal home buddy. They are not known for being quiet. The word “beagle” comes from “begueule,” a French word meaning gaped throat! You can expect Beagles to be loud as they take mouthing-off to the next level in this unique canine behavior. But why are they so noisy and loud? Beagles have this unique skill, and they can vocalize in three ways. These dogs can bark the regular bark, they can howl, and the bay. A bark and howl are two common noises dogs make, but not many have heard bays before. A beagle’s bay is like yodeling. These dogs bay when they are hunting. But they also bay when they are stubborn, agitated, or just playful. This popular breed will try to use all these three types of vocalization to get its owner’s attention. Thus, it’s not uncommon to hear singing beagles if you have a house full of them.

Beagles are Career-Oriented

If there are multi-talented dogs, Beagles will be on top of the list. These dogs will be one of the wealthiest canines if they ever get paid for their jobs. They are often hired as working dogs, rescue dogs and handles airport inspection tasks. They are also members of mountain rescue teams. In the US, Beagles work for Homeland Security and make up the famous Beagle Brigade. They search luggage for smuggled food items. These dogs worked with the likes of German Shepherd and other dogs. And, did you know that Beagles also work as bedbug detectors? These pests are difficult to see and get rid of. Amazingly, some dogs, including Beagles, can easily detect bedbugs. They can find where these pests are and stop an infestation before it happens.

Beagles Lived in the White House

There are US Presidents who love dogs of different breeds. Among those canines that lived in the White House are Beagles. President Lyndon B. Johnson loved the breed and brought two beagles to live with him in the White House. He had three pets named Him, Her, and Edgar. No one knew the reason why President Johnson called his Beagles with such silly names. But the one named Edgar was a gift from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. The Beagle named Him had a litter of puppies. Two of them were kept by the President’s daughter. They were called Freckles and Kim. The former lived out the rest of its days in the White House even after its owner had left.

Early Beagles are Called Pocket Beagles

Beagles are classified as small dogs, but there was a point when they were so much smaller than the modern Beagle. In the 14th and 15th centuries, they call these dogs “Pocket Beagles” or “glove beagles” because of their tiny size. During this time, the maximum height of the standard pocket Beagle is only 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulders. Over time, the breed slowly evolved and changed for various reasons. The original tiny pocket Beagles no longer exists because they have sized up. Breeders also made Beagles bigger to enhance hunting skills. They become larger until the pocket Beagles are no more.

Purebred Beagles Have White Tipped Tail

A true-blue or pure Beagle has one trait that sets it apart from its close look-a-likes and other Beagle type dogs, the white-tipped tail. To the untrained eye, Beagles can quickly look like the smaller Foxhounds or, the larger Coonhounds. They have the same coat with patches of brown, black, or white. But for breeders and Beagle enthusiasts, a true Beagle’s tail is white at the tip, even if it’s just a few white hairs at the point. This trait is more than just a physical appearance of a quality breed. This physical trait makes these hunting dogs easier to track while rabbit hunting. Their white-tipped tail is easy to stop through the woods, brush, or tall weeds.

Pregnancy Detecting Beagle

You might have heard about dogs trained to detect bombs, drugs, and other illegal items. But this particular Beagle has a unique talent that made him a permanent resident of Denver Zoo. Elvis the Beagle’s main task is to detect if the Zoo’s polar bear is pregnant or not. Elvis is trained to identify the polar bear’s condition by giving him a sample of its poop! The famous Beagle will sniff and indicate a favorable position when the polar bear is pregnant and not just having pseudo-pregnancy symptoms. Having a skilled detector like Elvis was a tremendous help because the zookeepers cannot easily detect the pregnancy by looking at the polar bears. Amazingly, Elvis is 97 percent accurate in identifying the polar bear pregnancy at this Zoo!

Beagles are Prolific Hunters

Many dog breeds work as ideal hunting companions. Some are retrievers, springers, gun dogs, and hounds. Beagles have very sensitive noses, and they work as efficient scent hounds. They accompany hunting parties and hunt through scents rather than sight. These skills were inherited from the Southern Hound and the Talbot hound. They have incredible stamina, which makes them prolific in hunting rabbits and hares. Their hunting skills have impressed breeders and hunters. Breeders considered the Southern Hound characteristic and agility over the Talbot hound. Thus, when fox hunting became popular, they started breeding Beagles with Buckhounds, and the outcome was the Foxhounds. Modern-day Beagles may not work as hunting dogs anymore, but they still have the same skills and instincts.

A Pop Culture Icon

The Beagle’s adorable good looks, friendly personality, and outstanding skills have also earned it a spot in Pop Culture history. They are well-loved characters from cartoons and movies. These lovable dogs have inspired artists, politicians, and movie directors to include them in their works. One of the most famous pop culture Beagle characters is Snoopy from the comic strip Peanuts. He has been well-loved from then until now. Schulz found inspiration from a Beagle he grew up with. Initially, he named the character Sniffy. But he soon changed the name to Snoopy as suggested by his mother. In real life, Snoopy is an AKC registered Beagle!

Another popular Beagle character that we all will recognize is Odie from Garfield. Odie showcases the generally healthy and hale characteristics of the Beagles. He had a funny love-hate relationship with the main character, Garfield, the cat.

Beagles are Houdinis of the Canine World

As expert hunters, Beagles are used to running around all day through. They have very high energy levels. Aside from that, they are also brilliant in solving problems or overcoming hurdles that keep them from tracking the scent. Thus, it can be a problem if you leave them alone in a yard for some time. They are bound to use their escaping talents and seek out entertainment elsewhere. Moreso, the Beagles are impressive jumpers. They can spring over obstacles or dig their way out to freedom!

Beagles are English Dogs

Despite being one of America’s all-time favorite dog breeds, Beagles originated from England. Therefore, they are English dogs. These dogs were first imported to America in the 19th century by General Richard Rowett. There were beagle-like hound dogs in the US during this period. But Beagles imported by General Rowett were far superior in quality. They are carefully selected for hunting and soon became the standard breed in the US. In 1884, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Beagles as a distinct hound dog breed. Soon after that, other kennel club followed and recognition of the modern breed ensued.

Beagles Need to Feel That They Are Part of A Pack

The Beagle’s hunting instincts urge them to be a part of a Beagle pack. They are highly social canines and have hunted or tracked together to find a common goal. Beagles are pack animals and it means that your pet will get along well with other dogs and prefer a canine companion. On the other hand, this behavior may lead to some anxious tendencies in your Beagle when you leave them alone. They may not take too kindly when left alone for long periods. Some may start having destructive tendencies in their effort to escape from the house.

Popular Beagle Fans

The popularity of the Beagles did not escape the likes of celebrities, politicians, and royalty. Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England are great Beagles fans. Dr. Phil McGraw, the Television celebrity, is also a confessed Beagle fan. And of course, the singer-songwriter Barry Manilow had two famous Beagles named Biscuit and Bagel. His Beagle Bagel fan club raises money for various charities. In 1970, one of his pets was featured on this album cover.

The “Goldilocks” Dogs

Beagles are unique in looks, talents, and personality. They have been described as the Goldilocks of dogs because they are neither too timid nor aggressive. They are also friendly but not fawning, and energetic, but do not require lots of exercise. The Beagle personality is what makes them popular dog breeds among families and kids. They are generally healthy dog that loves having fun and being around children. More so, they are even-tempered, funny, and friendly. These dogs are happily sniffing around and eating!

On the other hand, Beagles can be extra naughty when they are bored. You should make an effort to provide exercise and mental stimulation. Regular obedience training will also be a plus because these dogs love having jobs. With proper training, these dogs will make excellent canine companions. And of course, they are just the right size – not too big or not too small.

The Beagle Popularity

For years, various companies have studied the popularity of dog breeds in the US. The friendly Beagle has been a consistent placer in the Top Ten charts for around 30 years. They rallied in popularity among Collie breed, German Shepherd and others. In 2017 – 2018, Beagles were voted the sixth most popular dog in America, while the Labrador dominates. In terms of numbers, the Labrador has always been the most popular dog in the last 28 years.

Inspired Novels for Children

Beagles also played significant characters in children’s books and movies. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, a children’s book author, found a frightened and abused dog in her visits to Shiloh, West Virginia. The experience haunted and made her decide to write a book about it. Shiloh, the classic children’s book, is a story of a mistreated Beagle who finds a loving home with the Preston Family. It has inspired children to treat animals and family pets with care and kindness. The story of Shiloh also helped develop confidence in standing up for what is right and for having greater empathy for others. Because of its popularity, Shiloh won a Newberry Medal and led to two more books – Shiloh Season and Saving Shiloh. There were also two movies, Shiloh and Shiloh Two: Shiloh Seasons, released in 1997 and 1999.

Mold and Termite Detectors

As mentioned earlier, Beagles are scent dogs with some unique jobs thanks to their powerful sense of smell. Apart from being employed by Homeland Security, these dogs are also excellent mold and termite detectors. Molds are gross, and even if you can’t see them, they can still make you feel sick and destroy your stuff. Fortunately, some Beagles are trained to detect molds! After finding this stuff, you can take steps to get rid of them.

Another icky job where the Beagles excel is pointing towards obnoxious critters that eat the house from within. No homeowner wants to have termites in their home, and thankfully the Beagles can help! Termite experts deem the Beagle the best choice for this specialized role because of its discriminating scent skills. Termite infestations are often hidden, and these amazing dogs can find areas that human pest control specialists.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of reasons to love Beagles. And knowing more fun and unique facts about them makes them even more endearing! They have good looks, and they are just the “right-size,” brilliant, and full of personality. It’s no wonder they are very popular then and now.

Some pet owners consider Beagles to be the perfect canine companions. But you should also beware of health issues that may affect them. Their large ears make them prone to ear infections. These dogs are bred to hunt and work. They have high energy, and they love the outdoors. It would help if you understood that they need exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and avoid anxious behaviors. Beagles are also brilliant dogs and well-known escape artists. Thus, it would help if you were always prepared for their tricks and mischief.

With proper care, nutrition, training, and lots of love, Beagles can be one of the best companions you will ever have!

SOURCE: https://www.mrsdoggie.com/beagle-fun-facts/

Violets

Appearing first in early spring, sweet violets are known for their everlasting beauty. When you grow violets, they attract all kinds of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds, and some kinds of violets appear again in the late summer or early fall.

Violets are one of the cheeriest little flowers to grace the landscape. True violets are different from African violets, which are natives of East Africa. Our native violets are indigenous to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and may bloom from spring well into summer, depending upon the species. There are around 400 types of violet plants in the genus Viola. The many violet plant varieties guarantee there is a sweet little Viola perfect for almost any gardening need.

Violet Plant Varieties

True violets have been cultivated since at least 500 B.C. Their uses were more than ornamental, with flavoring and medicinal applications high on the list. Today, we are fortunate to have a plethora of different types of violets readily available at most nurseries and garden centers. Violas encompass the dog violets (scentless blooms), wild pansies, and sweet violets, which are descended from wild sweet violets from Europe. With so many choices, it can be hard to decide which of these endlessly charming flowers to choose for your landscape. We’ll break down the basic different types of violets so you can pick the best fit for your garden.

Both pansies and violets are in the genus Viola. Some are perennials and some are annuals but all sport the sunny, uplifted, face-like flowers characteristic of the family Violaceae. While both are technically violets, each has a slightly different characteristic and genesis. Pansies are a cross between the wild violets, Viola lutea and Viola tricolor, and are often called Johnny-jump-ups for their ability to crop up readily anywhere. Sweet violets are descended from Viola odorata, while bedding violets are deliberate hybrids of Viola cornuta and pansies. The mounding form and leaves are the same, but pansies have more distinctive “faces” than bedding violets, which feature more streaking. Any of the types of violet flowers are equally as appealing and easy to grow.

Colorful Combinations

Violets come in a whole rainbow of colors. They are most often found in bright jewel tones, but there are softer pastel varieties that make a perfect accent for spring decor. Many types also feature multicolor blooms with intricate patterns on their faces that seem to have been hand-painted. As an added bonus, violets are a fragrant annual on top of their charming appearance.

This diminutive plant can stand up well as a cut flower in a small bud vase. Plus, edible violet petals can be used to garnish cakes and pastries or tossed in a salad for a bright pop of color. A caution: Only eat flowers known to come from a pesticide-free source.

Violet Care Must-Knows

Many forms of violets are best grown in a woodland-type setting using rich, organic soils. While violets do ok in the cold, they are neither drought-tolerant nor heat-tolerant. Make sure violets have consistent moisture, especially in warmer months. When growing annual-type violets in containers, choose a well-drained potting mix. Using a slow-release fertilizer will help encourage continuous blooms.

Although violets tolerate of a variety of light conditions, most will grow best in full sun to partial shade. Some woodland species tolerate more shade; in fact, they can be planted in areas considered to be full shade. In warmer climates plant violets in areas that receive afternoon shade to help keep plants cool in hot summer months. Even this approach may not be enough to pull violets through because they are cool season plants). For this reason, violets often are treated as cool-season annuals and torn out once summer begins.

ETYMOLOGY OF WORDS AND PHRASES, PART 12

“Every word carries a secret inside itself; it’s called etymology. It is the DNA of a word.” — Mary Ruefle,”Madness, Rack & Honey”

“Etymology” derives from the Greek wordetumos, meaning “true.” The practice of etymology is uncovering the truth by tracing the root of a word. If you’re interested in language, it can be quite exhilarating. Like being a linguistic detective. There will be few pictures in this one so settle down….this will take you a few minutes!!!

1. Disaster

“anything that befalls of ruinous or distressing nature; any unfortunate event,” especially a sudden or great misfortune, 1590s,
from French désastre (1560s),
from Italian disastro, literally “ill-starred,” from dis-,
from Latin astrum,
from Greek astron “star”.

The origin of the word points to unfavorable events being blamed on certain planet positions. Destiny is written in the stars – in some conceptions of fate in mythology, the universe is fixed and inevitable.

2. Muscle

A far cry from World’s Strongest Man, the origin of the word ‘muscle’ is perhaps the most surprising.

“contractible animal tissue consisting of bundles of fibers,”
late 14c., “a muscle of the body,”
from Latin musculus “a muscle,” literally “a little mouse.

Rather than relating to strength and brawn as we understand it, ‘muscle’ is derived from the appearance of a muscle under the skin. Particularly biceps, which were thought both in Latin and in Greek to resemble a mouse running beneath the skin.

3. Nice

Perhaps you’ve been told by an English teacher in the past to avoid using the word ‘nice’. This is because the word is so commonly used in our language that it’s not highly descriptive or imaginative. Many English teachers consider it a cop-out. Yet its origins are far more interesting than the word appears.

late 13c., “foolish, ignorant, frivolous, senseless,”
from Old French nice (12c.) “careless, clumsy; weak; poor, needy; simple, stupid, silly, foolish,”
from Latin nescius “ignorant, unaware,” literally “not-knowing,”

4. Cloud

Old English clud “mass of rock, hill,” related to clod.
The modern sense “rain-cloud, mass of evaporated water visible and suspended in the sky” is a metaphoric extension that begins to appear c. 1300 in southern texts, based on the similarity of cumulus clouds and rock masses.
The usual Old English word for “cloud” was weolcan (see welkin).
In Middle English, skie also originally meant “cloud.”
The last entry for cloud in the original rock mass sense in Middle English Compendium is from c. 1475.

The origins of the word ‘cloud’ are surprising. You wouldn’t automatically associate their wispy appearance with the solidity of rocks. The etymology explains that it refers to the mass it accumulates and thus appearing similar to earth formations.

5. Oxymoron

This is a great example of the word being an example of itself.

in rhetoric, “a figure conjoining words or terms apparently contradictory so as to give point to the statement or expression,”
1650s, from Greek oxymōron, noun use of neuter of oxymōros (adj.) “pointedly foolish,”
from oxys “sharp, pointed” (from PIE root *ak- “be sharp, rise (out) to a point, pierce”) + mōros “stupid” (see moron).

Now, it’s used more broadly to denote a contradiction in terms. Originally, though, it was a clash of terms around sharpness and dullness.

6. Quarantine

The origins of ‘quarantine’ may interest you.

1660s, “period a ship suspected of carrying disease is kept in isolation,”
from Italian quaranta giorni, literally “space of forty days,”
from quaranta “forty,” from Latin quadraginta “forty,” which is related to quattuor “four” (from PIE root *kwetwer- “four”). So called from the Venetian policy (first enforced in 1377) of keeping ships from plague-stricken countries waiting off its port for 40 days to assure that no latent cases were aboard. Also see lazaretto.
The extended sense of “any period of forced isolation” is from the 1670s.
Earlier in English the word meant “period of 40 days in which a widow has the right to remain in her dead husband’s house” (1520s), and, as quarentyne (15c.), “desert in which Christ fasted for 40 days,” from Latin quadraginta “forty.”

We understand ‘quarantine’ as a period of isolation to prevent the spread of an illness, but the background on this is very interesting. The root of the word is more specific to the period of time elapsed.

7. Tragedy

Without the word ‘tragedy’, we wouldn’t have one of the greatest songs by the Bee Gees. But there is also an interesting word history to be grateful for.

late 14c., “play or other serious literary work with an unhappy ending,”
from Old French tragedie (14c.), from Latin tragedia “a tragedy,”
from Greek tragodia “a dramatic poem or play in formal language and having an unhappy resolution,”
apparently literally “goat song,” from tragos “goat, buck” + ōidē “song” (see ode), probably on model of rhapsodos (see rhapsody).

Although the specificity of the goat connection is debated, the connection to goats, in general, is accepted. There are a few different possibilities as to why. The etymology includes the literal translation “goat song”. Tragedy as we know it has its roots in ancient Greece, where it’s thought people dressed as goats and satyrs in plays. There are other theories surrounding goat sacrifices. Either way, who knew goats were involved at all?

8. Surprise

What would a list of surprising etymology be without the word ‘surprise’ itself?

also formerly surprize, late 14c.,
“unexpected attack or capture,” from Old French surprise “a taking unawares” (13c.),
from noun use of past participle of Old French sorprendre “to overtake, seize, invade” (12c.),
Meaning “something unexpected” first recorded 1590s, that of “feeling of astonishment caused by something unexpected” is c. 1600.
Meaning “fancy dish” is attested from 1708.

When you think of the word ‘surprise’ today, you might think of smiling faces. In history, though, it had a much more violent origin. The word is rooted in an invasion in having the element of surprise as an advantage. It is also interesting that it has root words meaning “grasp”. This can also be related to words like “comprehend”.

9. Comrade

It is interesting how the word ‘comrade’ is considered a non-neutral term. Whether it’s a veteran recalling time spent with his old army comrades, or used among the political left. Its origins point to it being more widely applicable.

1590s, “one who shares the same room,” hence “a close companion,”
from French camarade (16c.),
from Spanish camarada “chamber mate,” or Italian camerata “a partner,”
from Latin camera “vaulted room, chamber” (see camera).
In Spanish, a collective noun referring to one’s company.
In 17c., sometimes jocularly misspelled comrogue.
Used from 1884 by socialists and communists as a prefix to a surname to avoid “Mister” and other such titles.
Also related: Comradely; comradeship.

With this considered, you could call any of your cohabitants “comrade”. And it’s perfectly acceptable to use it for your partner, no matter what your politics are.

10. Clue

To end where we started, with the spirit of investigation, let’s have a look at the word ‘clue’.

“anything that guides or directs in an intricate case,” 1590s, a special use of a revised spelling of clew “a ball of thread or yarn” (q.v.).
The word, which is native Germanic, in Middle English was clewe, also cleue; some words were borrowed from Old French and Middle but these later were reformed, and this process was extended to native words (hue, true, clue) which had ended in a vowel and -w.
The spelling clue is first attested mid-15c.
The sense shift is originally in reference to the clew of thread given by Ariadne to Theseus to use as a guide out of the Labyrinth in Greek mythology. The purely figurative sense of “that which points the way,” without regard to labyrinths, is from 1620s.
As something which a bewildered person does not have, by 1948.

The word origins rooted in old stories like this are the most fascinating. A clue could be any object now. But, once upon a time, it was explicitly a ball of yarn a character used to find his way.

What Shall We Bake Today?

In our house, we hate to waste food, so when our bananas are past the good-to-eat stage, I freeze them to make banana bread at another time. The morning I want to bake some banana bread, I take them out to thaw and drain slightly before adding to the other ingredients. This recipe is super easy and so delicious!

Banana Bread

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 medium ripe mashed bananas

1 egg

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

¾ cup milk

1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour 1 9 x 5 or 2 8 x4 loaf pans. Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for ½ a minute, scraping the bottom and sides constantly. Pour into pan(s). Bake 55-65 minutes. Cool slightly. Remove from pan and cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

Fun Facts About Plants

I found this article –Fun Facts About Plants—and I wanted to share it!

How versatile are plants!? You can eat them, use them in medicine, and they have this magical ability to transform any boring room into a vibrant living space. Not just that, but gardening has been proven to be good for your mental and physical health.

But there’s a whole wide world of plants thriving out there which we know hardly anything about. Just wait till you hear how many plants there are in the ocean.

Like the fact that there’s a plant in Australia called the ‘Suicide Plant’. Anyone who comes in contact with it acquires a certain side effect (which can last for several years) that makes them feel depressed and suicidal. No wonder they say “everything in Australia wants to kill you!”

The intention behind this article is to introduce you to the unexplored, absolutely stunning, almost unbelievable side of the plant kingdom. So, if you want to discover some more plant facts that’ll be perfect for any pub quiz, then keep on reading!

Get ready to learn all about plants!

1. And the award for the longest living organism on planet earth goes to…

A tree! Well, there are several trees in various parts of the world which are 3,000-4,000 years old. But then there’s a bristlecone pine tree located in California which is considered to be the world’s oldest growing tree. This fella is a whopping 5,000 years old! That’s older than the Ancient Egyptians who built the Pyramids.

2. Clonal trees can live for more than 80,000 years

While California’s bristlecone pine tree is an individual organism, there are colonies of trees which are estimated to be over 80,000 years old. One such colony of 50,000 aspen trees is located in the Fishlake National Park in Utah. It’s called Pando, which means ‘I spread’. And those trees really have spread over the years!

3. What about the world’s tallest tree?

Again, a Californian tree. A coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) called Hyperion is considered to be the tallest tree to exist. Its height is 380.1 feet. That’s as tall as a 35-story building! Another interesting fact associated with this 600-year-old tree is that its exact location is kept a secret to protect it from damage.

4. Let’s talk numbers of species

It’s estimated that there are over 400,000 species of plants on our planet. This number is not fixed though since new species are discovered every year. Also, it’s pretty unbelievable to know that 85% of all plant life is found in the oceans. On land, we have just about 15%.

5. So much biodiversity, yet we keep eating just 30 plants

Half of these 400,000 are edible for human consumption. However, we humans tend to eat just 200 plant species (30 plants in their different life forms), ignoring all the rest. Rice, maize, and wheat – these 3 plants alone contribute more than 60% of the calories and proteins we humans obtain from plants.

6. If not eating, are we at least using them as medicines?

It is estimated that more than 50,000 plant species have the potential for being medicinal in nature. But most of these concoctions are traditional medicines, primarily used by the Indian, Chinese, and African medicine systems.

Furthermore, only 1% of rainforest plants have been researched for their medicinal potential. So it’s safe to assume that there’s a whole universe of untapped resources, hidden in those majestic rainforests, just waiting to be discovered.

7. Lost in a jungle? Use plants to navigate

Plants can be used as compasses to navigate through all kinds of terrains. For example, the moss that grows on the tree trunks of northern temperate climates tends to spread more towards the northern side.

Another trick is to analyze the rings on a tree that has been cut down. If the tree is in the northern hemisphere, rings will be thicker on the southern side, and vice versa.

8. Herbs and spices are not the same

Let’s make use of this list of fun facts about plants to burst this bubble of a common misconception – “herbs and spices are the same things”. No, they’re not!

Herbs come from leaves of the plant, while spices primarily come from stems, roots, seeds, berries, or barks.

9. What’s the fastest growing plant?

Any guesses? It’s the bamboo! It’s the fastest-growing plant in the world, and it can grow up to 35 inches in a day! That’s almost 1.5 inches per hour. If we pay close attention, we can actually watch bamboo grow in front of our eyes.

10. Plant kingdom can be surprisingly confusing

Pumpkins and avocados are actually fruits while pineapples are berries. To make things more confusing, rhubarb is a vegetable and cucumber is a fruit too.

And everyone knows tomatoes are fruits right? There’s the famous quote of “knowledge is knowing tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad…”

11. Grass that’s tall enough to hide a herd of elephants

Found in Africa, elephant grass can grow to up to 15 feet in height. That’s tall enough for native African elephants to hide behind it. However, they also love gorging on this grass, hence the name.

12. And who’s the king of flowers?

That thought to be the Indonesian flower, rafflesia arnoldii. These flowers are considered to be the largest in the world. They can easily be 3.3 feet in diameter.

Another flower called Titan arum, also known as the ‘corpse flower’, can reach up to 15 feet in height. When they bloom they produce a strong smell similar to that of rotting meat. Thus, the name – corpse flower. Lovely.

13. Tell us something about tulips!

There are quite a few plant facts associated with tulip flowers. But our favorite is this one. During the 1600s, these gorgeous flowers used to be more expensive than gold. The craze for tulips was so high in those times that it led to the Dutch economy’s crash. They even have a name for it – tulipomania.

14. Speaking of weird, what about carnivorous plants?

There are about 600 species of plants which are considered to be carnivorous. They eat insects and small animals too. Even figs are carnivorous in nature. When they are pollinated by fig wasps, they trap the poor wasps and eat them. In the Philippines, there’s a carnivorous plant species capable of digesting a full-grown rat, alive!

15. Plants can even recognize their siblings!

Yes, they can! And they even give their siblings preferential treatment by competing less against them for valuable resources such as space for growth.

Source: Fun Facts About

8 Crazy Facts About the Washington Monument

In honor of George Washington’s birthday, I am bringing an article, written by Dave Roos, called 8 Crazy Facts About the Washington Monument. Enjoy!

The National Park Service calls the original design plan “audacious, ambitious and expensive,” which explains why all but the obelisk was eventually scrapped.

On Sept.19, 2019, the Washington Monument reopened to the public after a three-year renovation. Eager tourists got in line early to experience the zippy new elevator and take in one of the best views East of the Mississippi.

The Washington Monument is an impressive structure dedicated to an American icon, but its construction was less than smooth (it was actually derailed for decades by a political coup). Here are eight surprising facts about America’s favorite obelisk.

A Memorial for Washington Was Planned Way Before He Died

It’s hard to overstate how much Americans loved George Washington. As early as 1783, when Washington was very much alive, plans were in the works for erecting a large statue of the first president on horseback near the Capitol building. In fact, the architect of Washington, D.C., the French landscape engineer Charles Pierre L’Enfant, left an open place for the statue in his drawings. And that’s almost exactly where the Washington Monument sits today.

Congress failed to act on the equestrian statue, and even after Washington died in 1799, legislators couldn’t agree on what kind of monument best suited the national hero. Frustrated with congressional feet-dragging, a private organization called the Washington National Monument Society was formed in 1833 to raise money and solicit designs for a large-scale homage to America’s beloved first president.

The Original Design Was a Mashup

In 1836, the Washington National Monument Society announced a design contest for the future Washington Monument and the winning sketch was submitted by 29-year-old architect Robert Mills, who would go on to design the U.S. Post Office, the Patent Office and the Treasury Building.

Mills’ original design was a mashup of architectural references. First, there was to be a 600-foot obelisk with a flattened top, a nod to the Egyptomania that had captured the early 19th-century imagination. (Note that soon after Washington’s death, the House of Representatives proposed the construction of a marble pyramid, 100 feet on each side, to serve as the first president’s mausoleum. The pharaohs would have approved, but Congress didn’t.)

In Mills’ original sketch, the giant Egyptian obelisk was to be encircled at its base by a neoclassical temple with 30 towering columns. On top of the circular temple would be a statue of Washington on a chariot, and in between each of the 30 columns would stand statues of 30 different revolutionary war heroes.

The National Park Service called Mills’ original plan “audacious, ambitious and expensive,” which explains why all but the obelisk was eventually scrapped.

There’s a Zinc Time Capsule in the Cornerstone

An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 crowded the National Mall to witness the laying of the Washington Monument’s cornerstone on July 4, 1848. But first the 24,500-pound hunk of pure white marble had to be dragged through the streets on a cart with bystanders grabbing lengths of rope to help the cause.

After a droning two-hour speech by the Speaker of the House, the assembled dignitaries placed mementos in a zinc box that would be sealed in the monument’s cornerstone for eternity (or until an alien race plucks it from the ruins of Western civilization). Included in the zinc time capsule were copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, a portrait of Washington, an American flag, all the coins in circulation and newspapers from 14 states. The laying of the cornerstone was performed by a grandmaster of the masonic lodges and its actual location apparently is still a mystery.

Construction Was Stalled by the Pope’s Stone Saga

The unfinished stump of the Washington Monument, as it looked for over 25 years. During the U.S. Civil War, the site was used for the grazing and slaughtering of government cattle, earning it the nickname Beef Depot Monument.

By 1856, after eight years of slow and painstaking construction, the obelisk stood 156 feet high and would remain that way — an unfinished eyesore that Mark Twain called “a hollow, oversized chimney” — for the next 21 years. The reason, weirdly enough, had to do with the Pope.

In 1853, the Washington National Monument Society was dangerously low on funds, so they came up with a scheme whereby large donors could have a commemorative stone placed in the interior of the obelisk. One of those donors ended up being Pope Pius IX, who shipped over a 3-foot piece of marble from the Temple of Concord in Rome.

The Pope’s gift really ticked off members of the new “Know-Nothing” party, who were virulently anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic. On the night of March 6, 1854, a gang of men locked the night watchman in his shed and stole the Pope’s stone, allegedly tossing it in the Potomac.

The controversy over the stolen stone brought donations to a standstill. But even worse was what happened next; a contingent of Know-Nothings staged a coup and overthrew the leadership of the Monument Society. Donations dried up entirely and the Know-Nothings only managed to add 20 more feet to the obelisk by the outbreak of the Civil War, when construction was halted altogether.

Yes, the Monument is Three Different Colors

After the Civil War, during which the grounds of the stubby Washington Monument were used as a cattle yard and slaughterhouse, Congress finally decided to take over. On July 5, 1876, in time for the centennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence, Congress appropriated $2 million for the completion of the monument and construction resumed in 1877.

The first task of the new chief engineer, Thomas L. Casey, was to reduce the total height of the obelisk to 555 feet, exactly 10 times the width of the structure, and to spend years reinforcing the foundation with concrete.

The next issue was the masonry. The original quarry in Baltimore had shut down, so Casey tried shipping down rock from Massachusetts. But after placing only a few layers of this stone, it was clear that it was a different color and of poorer quality than the original. So, the builders changed tack yet again and brought in stone from another Baltimore quarry, which was used to finish the final two-thirds of the obelisk.

The result is that the Washington Monument is nearly white on the bottom, a tannish-pink on the top with a thin belt of light brown in the middle. Classy, Casey.

The Priceless Capstone Would Cost a Few Bucks Today

Construction of the obelisk was finally completed on Dec. 6, 1884, more than 36 years after the first cornerstone was laid, with the ceremonial setting of the capstone. When you think of precious metals befitting the capstone of a 555-foot monument dedicated to the nation’s greatest hero, you think of gold, maybe silver, but certainly not aluminum.

Yet back in the late 19th-century, pure aluminum was a very rare commodity, and it was chosen for this important feature, as the metal would not tarnish. (In 1884, aluminum cost $1.10 per ounce or $26 per ounce in 2019 dollars; in 2019, aluminum cost around 78 cents per pound.) The 100-ounce aluminum capstone for the Washington Monument was the largest single piece of cast aluminum in the world. The final cost of the Washington Monument was $1.18 million in 1884 or nearly $30 million in 2019 dollars.

Before the capstone was shipped to Washington, D.C., it went on exhibit on the showroom floor of Tiffany & Co. in New York City, where visitors could say they “jumped over the Washington Monument.” Yay!

For Five Glorious Years, It Was the World’s Tallest Manmade Structure

And then Eiffel built his silly tower in 1789, which at 1,063 feet is nearly twice as tall as the Washington Monument.

But the Washington Monument is — and probably always will be — the tallest structure by far in Washington, D.C., although not for the reasons you might have heard. It has nothing to do with city planners who didn’t want any building to block the view of the Capitol Building or the Washington Monument. That’s actually a myth.

The height limits on buildings in the District of Columbia were established by the Height of Buildings Acts of 1899 and 1910, which were primarily concerned with the fire safety of new construction methods that allowed buildings to be raised to incredible new heights. The laws, which are still on the books in D.C., restrict the height of buildings to the width of the street in front of them, which is 130 feet in most places and 160 feet on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Half a Million Tourists Ride Up the Monument Every Year

The Washington Monument is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington, D.C., and untold millions of people visit the monument grounds every year. But given that there’s only one elevator that zips people to the observation deck, only 55 people can be admitted into the monument every half hour. That means that around 500,000 people enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the Washington Monument every year.

The newly installed elevator system will only take 70 seconds to carry visitors to the 51-story observation deck, where they will take in panoramic views of the National Mall, the Capitol Building, the White House and the wilds (suburbs, actually) of Virginia and Maryland up to 25 miles in all directions on a clear day.

Now That’s Cool

The first tourist elevator was installed in the Washington Monument in 1889, just five years after its completion.

SOURCE: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/destinations/landmarks/places-of-interest/washington-monument.htm

Happy Birthday George!!

Fat Tuesday!

I found this at the New Orleans website: Fun Facts About Mardi Gras!

New Orleans History & Rituals

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is quite the spectacle – but there are a lot of hidden secrets and behind-the-scenes magic that bring the celebration to life. Ever wondered what the most coveted throws of Carnival are, or why an array of colorful ladders line St. Charles Avenue? Learn all about Mardi Gras in New Orleans with these 12 fun facts.

Mardi Gras is more than just a day, it’s an entire season. Carnival season begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday. It’s during this time period that king cakes make their debut – and fly off the shelves all season long.

Mardi Gras Indians’ elaborate “suits” are hand-sewn with thousands of beads and take all year to make. A new suit is made each year.

Colorful ladders with seats line St. Charles Avenue on parade days so that children can get a clear view. Parade-goers use the ladders to hold their spot prior to the parade starting.

Krewes choose a different theme for their parades each year, with some krewes keeping their themes secret until their parade is rolling.

According to Arthur Hardy, a premier authority on Mardi Gras in New Orleans, items have been tossed off floats since at least 1871. During the Twelfth Night Revelers parade, a masker costumed as Santa Claus aboard float No. 24 threw gifts to the crowd. In 1884, Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets. These medallions are represented by today’s doubloons: aluminum and anodized in many different colors.

“Throw Me Something, Mister” are the magic words used to catch all the throws at Mardi Gras parades.

Zulu coconuts, Muses shoes and Krewe of Iris sunglasses are some of the most desired signature “throws” of the season. Revelers go all-out in attempts to catch these, including dressing in colorful costumes, making posters and holding out butterfly nets and targets for float riders to throw to.

There is a city ordinance in Orleans Parish that prohibits Mardi Gras from being commercialized. No corporate sponsorships are allowed on floats. All expenses are paid by krewes and riders.

Beads “grow” on trees during Carnival season in New Orleans. Tree-lined St. Charles Avenue transforms into a Mardi Gras wonderland by the time Fat Tuesday rolls around.

Float riders are required by law to wear masks or face paint.

Traditionally, the Mayor of New Orleans hands over the key to the city to Rex, the king of Carnival, on Mardi Gras Day.

To officially end Carnival celebrations, New Orleans police officers on foot and mounted on horseback move through the crowds on Bourbon Street at midnight on Mardi Gras Day. The Mayor often joins.

SOURCE: https://www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/mardi-gras/mardi-gras-fun-facts/

Flamboyance!

Flamingos preferred food sources.

Flamingos are birds that eat plants, insects and small animals such as shrimp or worms to survive. They spend their days wading in the water for food and eating about 270 grams of food a day.

Flamingos are birds that have specialized diets consisting of mainly plant matter but also including some animal material. The flamingo diet is composed primarily of algae, invertebrates (such as shrimps), crustaceans (such as crabs) and various other animals found.

A flock of 50+ is called a “flamboyance.”

A flock of 50+ is called a “flamboyance.” The name, though strange, fits the feathered friend well. A large flock in excess of 500 birds are also called a “grand flamboyance.” In general, flamingos live solitary lives.

The only time they congregate is during mating season or when food sources dwindle. However, it’s not uncommon to see groups numbering less than 10 gather at one time.

Flamingos have a long lifespan.

Many people believe that flamingos are short-lived animals. In fact, the average lifespan of a flamingo is around 25 years in the wild and 75 years in captivity.

The earliest recorded captive flamingo lived to be 83 years old! Flamingos have many adaptations that allow them to live long lives.

Flamingos preferred habitats.

Flamingos are unique birds that live in many places around the world. They are commonly found in the wild in tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, North America and South America.

Flamingos are found near wetlands, ponds, lagoons, coasts, lakes or rivers that have salt water.

Flamingos can reach over 6 feet tall.

It is common knowledge that flamingos are tall birds. But how big is the tallest flamingo? The answer to this question may surprise you! There are many factors in determining the height of a flamingo, such as their species and age.

The Andean Flamingo has been recorded at over six feet tall while the Greater Rhea can reach five feet. They say that an average flamingo reaches about three feet in height and weighs roughly eight pounds.

Flamingos are born gray or white.

Flamingos are one of the most well-known birds in the world. However, many people do not know that flamingos are born gray or white and will eventually change to a pink color in adulthood.

The baby flamingo is often called a “chick.” The chick’s feathers are usually white, but they can also be light brown. In order to get their iconic pink hue, it takes about two years for them to mature into adults.

Flamingos can live in extreme weather conditions.

Flamingos are able to live in extreme conditions due to their low body temperature. They can survive in both frigid environments, such as Antarctica, and deserts because they have the ability to store large amounts of fat.

This is why flamingos can be found living near lakes and streams that provide water for them but also offer protection from predators like sharks.

Flamingos build their nest in mud.

Flamingos often build their nests in large colonies that can be found on lakes or rivers. The flamingo’s nest is a shallow hole made out of mud where they lay two eggs.

The nests are built close to the water because flamingo chicks need fresh water to drink when they hatch from their eggs.

There are 4 species of Flamingo that live in North America.

There are six different species of flamingo, but only four live in North America. The American flamingo is one of the four species that live in North America. The other three are Caribbean, Andean, and James’s flamingos.

Flamingos can drink saltwater.

Ever wondered how flamingos can drink saltwater and survive? Flamingos are born with a salt gland which helps to filter out excess salt from their bloodstreams.

They also have a special, high-density protein in their kidneys that keeps the sodium level of their blood low. These adaptations help them thrive in the salty waters of coastal habitats.

The salt gland is a specialized organ that produces the hormone aldosterone, which balances the amount of sodium and potassium in their blood. They use this to help them maintain proper electrolyte balance.

Most other animals have only one kind of salt gland for both purposes, but flamingos are born with two glands: One helps to filter out excess salt from their bloodstreams and the other is used when they drink fresh water or take an occasional dip in salty ocean water.

Flamingo tongues are used to break down protein.

Flamingo tongues are used to break down protein and give the flamingos their pink color. A group of researchers have recently discovered that flamingo tongues contain bacteria which break down protein, giving them their iconic pink color.

Flamingos eat a diet consisting mainly of crustaceans and insects, both of which are rich in proteins. Their tongue is specialized for breaking these proteins down into ammonia-rich uric acid crystals, giving them the pigment necessary for mating rituals and general identification.

The oldest Flamingo fossil is 50 million years old.

The oldest known flamingo fossil dates back to 50 million years ago, which means they have existed for a long time and have had many opportunities to evolve into their current form.

Fossils show that some of the adaptations that allow them to thrive today were present at an early stage, such as pink feathers or wings shaped like paddles, so they can wade through water easily.

Flamingos escape predators with a zigzag movement.

Flamingos are good at running away from predators. When they need to run, they do so in a zigzag pattern, which helps them escape the predator by confusing it and making it harder for the predator to chase after them.

The zigzagging movement is an energy-saving technique that allows them to get away from danger more easily than if they were running straight ahead.

Flamingos are monogamous.

Flamingos are monogamous, they only have one mate for life. However, it is not uncommon to see a Flamingo with two mates. This may be because the other mate died or was unable to find food and has been abandoned by their partner.

The partner who has been left behind will wait on the shoreline and watch as their lover flies off with another individual in search of food.

Flamingos have an incredible memory.

Flamingos are highly intelligent birds. They have an incredible memory, and can recognize the humans and other animals they encounter at any given location on subsequent visits, even if it has been weeks or months since their last visit.

In a study published in Animal Behavior Society’s journal Animal Cognition this week, researchers found that wild Chilean flamingos had long-term memories of people from whom they received food.

There are six different species of flamingo.

There are six different species of flamingo: Greater flamingo, Lesser flamingo, Andean flamingo, James’s flamingo, Chilean flamingo and American flamingo.

Flamingos are closely related to grebes and penguins.

Flamingos are often thought to be related to pelicans and storks, but flamingos are actually closely related to grebes and penguins. Many people think that flamingos are close relatives of pelicans or storks because they share similar physical features.

Flamingos, however, are closely related to grebes and penguins because of their biological classification. They all belong in the order called Charadriiformes which includes other water birds.

Flamingos can eat thousands of tiny shrimp per day!

Flamingos are excellent at catching small crustaceans called shrimps. They use their beaks to scoop up the shrimp in water and then swallow them whole! Some flamingos can eat thousands of tiny shrimp per day!

The flamingo’s head is flexible enough to turn upside down, so it can feed from the bottom of a pool of water.

Flamingo feathers regulate their body temperature.

A new study has revealed that a flamingo’s feathers are not just for show. Recent research has shown that the feathers help the birds maintain their body temperature by keeping them cool in hot climates and warm in cold ones.

Furthermore, they protect the bird from harmful ultraviolet rays and offer a layer of insulation against extreme temperatures.

Flamingos hold their breath when feeding.

Flamingos also have a very unusual way of feeding; they hold their breath while eating. A recent study has found that flamingos are able to remain underwater without breathing because they contain up to ten times more oxygen in their blood than most other animals, allowing them to go longer periods without taking a breath. This ability is due in part to specialized hemoglobin.

Flamingos spend most of the day in cleaning their feathers.

Flamingos spend most of the day in cleaning their feathers. They use a combination of shaking, wiping and licking to clean their feathers. Many people might be surprised that flamingos spend so much time on grooming themselves, but they are just as susceptible to parasites and disease as other animals are.

Flamingos have a keen sense of self-awareness which is important for mating rituals like the “flamingo dance” because it can make them look more attractive to mates.

Flamingos rest on one leg.

When a flamingo rests, it stands on one leg with its head drooped down and eyes closed. This helps conserve body heat in cold climates as well as saves energy by using less muscle power to keep balanced. Flamingos are also able to lower their heart rate and metabolic rate while standing up on one leg.

Baby flamingos have straight bills.

Baby flamingos have straight bills, but it becomes curved later on. The process of getting a curved bill starts when they are about two weeks old. The top part of the baby’s beak will start to grow over the bottom part.

Flamingos’ wingspan is one of the largest.

Flamingos’ wingspan ranges from 3 to 6 feet. This makes them the second-largest bird in terms of wing span, behind only pelicans. This variation in size is due to the differences in climate, food supply and parasites they are exposed to as chicks.

Source: learnbirdwatching.com