Random Bits Of Trivia

[Cachoo]

Random bits of information: Post odd bits of trivia here:

In France apparently it is illegal to name a pig “Napoleon.”

 

[Cachoo]

In 2006, when Steve Irwin was tragically killed by a stingray, the family also lost a tortoise named Harriet. Harriet was given her name by Charles Darwin who brought her with him from the Galápagos Islands. Harriet was believed to be 176 years old.

 

[Cachoo]

The late mobster John Gotti’s favorite restaurant was....Cracker Barrel.

 

[MsZem]

In 2006, when Steve Irwin was tragically killed by a stingray, the family also lost a tortoise named Harriet. Harriet was given her name by Charles Darwin who brought her with him from the Galápagos Islands. Harriet was believed to be 176 years old.

Jonathan sends his regards.

Meet Jonathan, the 187-Year-Old Tortoise and the World's Oldest Land Animal

The giant Seychelles tortoise, who resides on the island of Saint Helena, is closing in on the two-century mark.

www.mentalfloss.com

One of the grandchildren of President Tyler (b. 1790) is still alive. Another passed away recently, 158 years after his grandfather.

Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. dies 175 years after his grandfather, John Tyler, left the White House | CNN

For many Americans, going two generations back takes them to World War II. For Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., who died September 26, two generations stretched to a century earlier, when steam locomotives ruled the land and his grandfather was 10th president of the United States.

www.cnn.com

 

[Cachoo]

The span of time from grandfather to grandchild is incredible.

 

[vu2019]

Jonathan sends his regards.

Meet Jonathan, the 187-Year-Old Tortoise and the World's Oldest Land Animal

The giant Seychelles tortoise, who resides on the island of Saint Helena, is closing in on the two-century mark.

www.mentalfloss.com

One of the grandchildren of President Tyler (b. 1790) is still alive. Another passed away recently, 158 years after his grandfather.

Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. dies 175 years after his grandfather, John Tyler, left the White House | CNN

For many Americans, going two generations back takes them to World War II. For Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., who died September 26, two generations stretched to a century earlier, when steam locomotives ruled the land and his grandfather was 10th president of the United States.

www.cnn.com

I learned last year that the Blake brothers who founded what became the Friendly's ice cream/restaurant chain in 1935 were both still alive at the time. The younger brother passed away last May, at age 102. The older brother is still alive at 105. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/obituaries/curtis-blake-dies.html

 

[Cachoo]

“Eleven plus two” is an anagram of “twelve plus one”— both have 13 letters and the answer is 13.

 

[taf2002]

Vivian Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, the most quintessential southern belle ever, was actually British as was her love Ashley (Leslie Howard).

 

[MsZem]

The span of time from grandfather to grandchild is incredible.

I decided to try and find out who was the next oldest president to still have living grandchildren, but couldn't figure it out from Wikipedia (FDR was as far back as I got). But I did find this gem while looking:

Gavin Arthur (born Chester Alan Arthur III; March 21, 1901 – April 28, 1972) was a San Francisco astrologer and sexologist and a grandson of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur. He has been described as "an Ivy League dropout, an Irish Republican Army activist, an experimental-film actor, a commune leader, a gold prospector, a teacher at San Quentin, and a bisexual sexologist/astrologer. An early gay rights activist and a practical prototype for the hippies."

ETA: more history and offspring of dead presidents.

Presidential love affair confirmed, Portland man thankful for DNA results

Jim Blaesing of Southeast Portland says that DNA tests showing that his grandmother conceived a child with President Warren G. Harding in 1919 are vindication for his family. The test results mean that Harding has six decendants. All live in Oregon.

www.oregonlive.com

 

[Cachoo]

I decided to try and find out who was the next oldest president to still have living grandchildren, but couldn't figure it out from Wikipedia (FDR was as far back as I got). But I did find this gem while looking:

ETA: more history and offspring of dead presidents.

Presidential love affair confirmed, Portland man thankful for DNA results

Jim Blaesing of Southeast Portland says that DNA tests showing that his grandmother conceived a child with President Warren G. Harding in 1919 are vindication for his family. The test results mean that Harding has six decendants. All live in Oregon.

www.oregonlive.com

Never a dull moment with Gavin!

 

[Cachoo]

It is illegal to take a lion to the cinema in Massachusetts.

 

[Cachoo]

The key to the Bastille now resides in Thomas Jefferson's Mt. Vernon

 

[Cachoo]

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words.

 

[taf2002]

The key to the Bastille now resides in Thomas Jefferson's Mt. Vernon

Isn't Mt Vernon George Washington's, no Jefferson's? I think Jefferson's home is Montecello.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Isn't Mt Vernon George Washington's, no Jefferson's? I think Jefferson's home is Monticello.

Yes, and off by one letter.

 

[Cachoo]

Isn't Mt Vernon George Washington's, no Jefferson's? I think Jefferson's home is Montecello.

You are right!!! My mind could not untangle why Jefferson had the key when Lafayette gave it to Washington. Good God.

 

[taf2002]

I didn't know either one had the key. Or that Lafayette had it the first place. Why did he have it & why would he give away? Inquiring minds.......

 

[MsZem]

Speaking of the Founding Fathers...

How George Washington ran up a $17,253 bar tab 2 days before signing the Constitution

Washington and his soldiers celebrated the signing of the Constitution by racking up a $17,253 tab.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[Yehudi]

Kip Winger, the lead singer of the 80s hair metal band Winger actually was nominated for a Grammy in 2017 - in the classical music category.

 

[Peaches LaTour]

Vivian Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, the most quintessential southern belle ever, was actually British as was her love Ashley (Leslie Howard).

And casting the totally lifeless Howard in such an important role in GWTW, was a huge mistake.

 

[taf2002]

And casting the totally lifeless Howard in such an important role in GWTW, was a huge mistake.

But he was fully as lifeless in the book as Howard portrayed in the movie. He was a spoiled rich boy who didn't know how to navigate in a different world than that he grew up in.

 

[once_upon]

In Rockfield, MD it is a misdemeanor to be heard swearing while driving.

America’s Most Crazy Traffic Laws | GEICO Living

www.google.com

 

[Peaches LaTour]

But he was fully as lifeless in the book as Howard portrayed in the movie. He was a spoiled rich boy who didn't know how to navigate in a different world than that he grew up in.

You miss my point. The character of Ashley was a rich, entitled "Southern Gentleman" who could not cope with the realities of his life after the war. Howard did nothing to bring the richness of this character's inability to cope to the screen.

It is, IMO, Howard as an actor who failed to bring this character to life. He didn't want this role & it shows in his lack of understanding of Ashley on every level.

 

[Cachoo]

I didn't know either one had the key. Or that Lafayette had it the first place. Why did he have it & why would he give away? Inquiring minds.......

Lafayette was in charge of the French equivalent of a national guard unit that received the key after the storming of the Bastille and sent it to Washington as George looked upon the Marquis as the son he never had. Apparently Thomas Paine had something to do with the delivery.

 

[Cachoo]

Speaking of the Founding Fathers...

How George Washington ran up a $17,253 bar tab 2 days before signing the Constitution

Washington and his soldiers celebrated the signing of the Constitution by racking up a $17,253 tab.

www.businessinsider.com

Good grief.... I know they probably didn’t have clean water and preferred alcohol but that seems to be an outrageous amount.

 

[MsZem]

One of the grandchildren of President Tyler (b. 1790) is still alive. Another passed away recently, 158 years after his grandfather.

Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. dies 175 years after his grandfather, John Tyler, left the White House | CNN

For many Americans, going two generations back takes them to World War II. For Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., who died September 26, two generations stretched to a century earlier, when steam locomotives ruled the land and his grandfather was 10th president of the United States.

www.cnn.com

The Washington Post has a new story about the Tylers!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/11/29/president-john-tyler-grandson-harrison/

 

[mackiecat]

It is illegal to take a lion to the cinema in Massachusetts.

It is also illegal in Massachusetts to put pants on a goat