Category: Omnibit

Congressman Robert F. Broussard in 1910 figured hippopotamus would solve a then severe meat shortage and also eat the invasive water hyacinth that was clogging up the rivers in his state of Louisiana. A win-win. So he introduced the American Hippo Bill calling for their importation and release into the bayous. Former President Theodore Roosevelt backed it as did the U.S Department of Agriculture, the Washington Post and The New York Times which described the meat as “lake cow bacon”.  The bill fell just short of being passed.

American Hippo Bill introduced by Congressman Robert F. Broussard in 1910– William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-18-16

How much beer is drank in Ireland? A lot. About 26 gallons per person per year. Only the Czech Republic, Austria, German, Estonia and Poland drink more per capita.

Beer includes ale here.

How much beer — William Lawrence Sr. Omnibit 3-17-16

President William McKinley liked rye whiskey. He had a drink named after him called “McKinley’s Delight” which was 3 ounces of rye, an ounce of sweet vermouth, two dashes of cherry brandy and a dash of absinthe. His successor, Teddy Roosevelt, had similar tastes with rye-based mint juleps being his favorite.

McKinley’s Delight rye whiskey– William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-16-16

Ides is what the Romans called the day that was the middle of the month. For most months it falls on the 13th. For May, July, October and March, of course, it is the 15th.

Ides — William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-15-16

Who is Alexander Suvorov? He was the Russian general who invaded Switzerland back in 1799. He was one of the few generals in history who never lost a battle. One of his big victories came against a Frenchman named MacDonald. He died in 1800. His greatest ambition was to meet Napoleon on the battlefield, a wish never achieved.

Alexander Suvorov never lost a battle– William Lawrence Sr. Omnibit 3-14-16

The first transatlantic radio call was made on March 12, 1925.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-12-16

Paul Gauguin was not a big success as a painter in his early life. He had a job for awhile as a tarpaulin salesman in Denmark. He was not a success at that either. He did not speak Danish and the Danes didn’t want French tarpaulins. His son Emile became a civil engineer and moved to Florida.

Paul Gauguin — William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-11-16

Crying in public was a criminal offense in the Soviet Union. At least under Stalin. He took it as personal criticism.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-10-16

Yes Anthony, a palette is an artist paintboard not something you stack things on. That would be a pallet.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-9-16

Hippopotamuses can’t jump.

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-7-16