Fast Facts
March 20, 2006
- Japan is made up of more than 6,000 islands.
Scientists with high-speed cameras have discovered that rain drops are not tear-shaped but rather look like hamburger buns.
A dentist from Buffalo, N.Y., named Alfred P. Southwick invented the electric chair.
After the 1883 Krakatoa volcano eruption in Indonesia, many people reported that, because of the dust, the sunset appeared green and the moon blue. The moon was said to appear blue for almost two years.
There are 125 drinking fountains in Central Park in New York.
Braces were first invented by Pierre Fauchard in 1728. The braces were made from a flat strip of metal, which was connected to the teeth by thread.
About 10 percent of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur in the U.S. every year are classified as severe.
A pig can run a 7-minute mile.
In New Mexico, more than 11,000 people have visited a tortilla chip that appeared to have the face of Jesus Christ burned into it.
The world’s largest church is located in Yamoussoukro, which is the capital of Ivory Coast, Africa.
During his entire life, Vincent Van Gogh sold one painting: “”Red Vineyard at Arles.””
