Today is National Trivia Day. It is observed across the United States each year on January 4. We observe trivia day, everyday here.
The oldest survivor Of The Crimean War passed away in 2004
Timothy the Tortoise, the last survivor of the Crimean War (which ended in 1856,) died in April of 2004 at the age of about 165. Timothy (a female tortoise despite her name) was discovered aboard a Portuguese privateer (a type of armed ship) in 1854 and went on to “serve” aboard a number of Royal Navy vessels, including HMS Queen during the first bombardment of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. After her naval service, she retired to live out her life on dry land, taken in by the Earl of Devon at his home, Powderham Castle.
Paul Revere Never Actually Shouted, “The British Are Coming!“
Everyone knows the story of Revere’s famous ride in which he was said to have warned colonial militia of the approaching enemy by yelling “The British are coming!” This is actually false. According to History.com, the operation was meant to be quiet and stealthy, since British troops were hiding out in the Massachusetts countryside. Also, colonial Americans still considered themselves to be British.
Mary Actually Had a Little Lamb
Everyone knows the nursery rhyme Mary Had A Little Lamb, but you probably didn’t know this was based on true story. Her name was Mary Sawyer. She was an 11-year-old girl and lived in Boston and one day was followed to school by her pet lamb. In the late 1860s, she helped raise money for an old church by selling wool from the lamb.
Turkeys Were Once Worshipped Like Gods
While the turkey is currently America’s favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal, in 300 B.C., these big birds were heralded by the Mayan people as vessels of the gods and were honored as such, so much so that they were domesticated to have roles in religious rites. They were symbols of power and prestige and can be found everywhere in Maya iconography and archaeology.
So it appears trivia is not so trivial to me.
The Haus of Dcaligari 