But let's focus on the positive. I finally went out and took some pics at the thrift shop for Treasure Tuesday (well not so much AT the shop - it was swarming with employees and customers for the holidays, but at least I got out, bought some things and have some material for upcoming Tuesdays) so I can cross that off my list! Also, Modcloth has been going crazy with the sales. I don't know if that makes me happy or sad. They had a "find Winston" promotion, where a coupon code was your reward, Stylish Surprises and an early Black Friday sale! In the course of just over a week! Having no money personally, I had to have my parents sponsor me for early Christmas gifts (also purchased my mom's Christmas gift in the Black Friday sale) and I'm really hoping they don't mind too much! I'm hoping the next sale can wait to drop after I get paid.
The book I'm pulling my facts from this week is called "100 People Who Made History - Meet the People Who Shaped the Modern World" by Ben Gilliland (with Philip Parker as a consultant.) I got it from the library and I'm almost certain it's a children's book, but I learned quite a bit from it and it's perfect for pulling random facts.
The book is really cute and has a lot of pictures (so it makes for a quick read.) It is also really good to put a face to people you might have only heard about. Look at these lovely page lay-outs!
Things I Learned From This Book
Nelson Mandela's great grandfather, Ngubengcuka ruled as king of the South African tribe called the Thembu people.
LEGO were not the first block toys. Wood block toys were invented in 1840. Interlocking blocks came next in the 1860s. In 1882, Friedrich Richter invented his wooden Anchor Blocks and in 1908, BRIO launched their line of interconnecting wooden trains. LEGO the company was founded in 1934, but the toy as we know it today came along in 1958.
Thomas Edison was almost completely deaf by the time he was 12.
The Greek philosopher Democritus (460-370 BCE) suggested that everything was made up of atoms which means "indivisible" in Greek.
Suffragette colors were purple (for dignity), white (for purity) and green (for hope.)
Charles Darwin wanted to be a doctor, but hated the sight of blood. He instead decided to study Natural Theology, which is the study of how God designed life on Earth. But we know how that turned out for him.
Queen Victoria's 42 grandchildren occupied the thrones of most of Europe, earning her the title, "the grandmother of Europe."
*Note - several of these facts were pulled verbatim from the book, as it was already written as a "factoid," and didn't give much information to re-write it. Of course, I could have wiki'd, things to get more information, but I already alluded to how lazy I am today. Also, I wouldn't have exactly been learning these facts from the book. So credit goes to Ben Gilliland for some of these facts.
LEGO were not the first block toys. Wood block toys were invented in 1840. Interlocking blocks came next in the 1860s. In 1882, Friedrich Richter invented his wooden Anchor Blocks and in 1908, BRIO launched their line of interconnecting wooden trains. LEGO the company was founded in 1934, but the toy as we know it today came along in 1958.
Thomas Edison was almost completely deaf by the time he was 12.
The Greek philosopher Democritus (460-370 BCE) suggested that everything was made up of atoms which means "indivisible" in Greek.
Suffragette colors were purple (for dignity), white (for purity) and green (for hope.)
Charles Darwin wanted to be a doctor, but hated the sight of blood. He instead decided to study Natural Theology, which is the study of how God designed life on Earth. But we know how that turned out for him.
Queen Victoria's 42 grandchildren occupied the thrones of most of Europe, earning her the title, "the grandmother of Europe."
*Note - several of these facts were pulled verbatim from the book, as it was already written as a "factoid," and didn't give much information to re-write it. Of course, I could have wiki'd, things to get more information, but I already alluded to how lazy I am today. Also, I wouldn't have exactly been learning these facts from the book. So credit goes to Ben Gilliland for some of these facts.
It Happened Today
In 1963, US president John F. Kennedy is assassinated.
In 1718, famous pirate, Blackbeard is killed in battle.
In keeping with the morbid subject, some other famous deaths today are of the literary sort - both C.S. Lewis and Jack London died today.
In 1954, the American Humane Society is founded.
In 1858, Denver Colorado is founded.
In 1995, Toy Story is released and is the first movie made using entirely computer animation.
Today is Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Ruffalo, David Pelletier (any figure skating fans here???) Scarlett Johansson and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' birthday. I shall leave you with one of my favourite Yeah Yeah Yeahs songs as a send off. Talk soon!
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