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Fast facts:
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The U.S. city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita is Clearwater, Fla.
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George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe, all Virginians, were founding fathers of the United States and were among the first five U.S. presidents. Virginia was also the birthplace of U.S. presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.
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The Pentagon, in Arlington, Va., has twice as many bathrooms as needed because when it was built, the state of Virginia still had segregation laws.
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Columbia University is the second largest landowner in New York City, behind the Catholic Church.
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The largest stained-glass window in the world is at Kennedy International Airport in New York City. It can be seen on the American Airlines terminal building and measures 300 feet long by 23 feet high.
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On a clear day, you can see five states from the top of the Empire State Building - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
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On this date:
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In 1773, Captain James Cook became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle (66¼ 33' S).
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In 1827, the Duke of Wellington was appointed British supreme commander.
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In 1861, the flush toilet (with separate water tank and a pull chain) was patented by Thomas Crapper.
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In 1871, the first cable car was patented by Andrew S. Hallidie. Service for the cars began in 1873.
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In 1929, Popeye made his first appearance in the comic strip "Thimble Theatre."
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In 1950, 11 men robbed Brink's office in Boston of $1.2 million cash and $1.5 million worth of securities.
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In 1962, NASA civilian pilot Neil A. Armstrong piloted the X-15 plane to 40,690 feet above the earth.
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In 1995, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake destroyed Kobe, Japan. The death toll came to 5,372.
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Quotable...
"These are not nice people. Several have publicly stated here their intent to kill an American before they leave Guantanamo Bay. We will not give them that satisfaction."
- Brig. Gen. Michael Lehnert about the behavior and manner of the detained al-Qaida members in Cuba.
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