Category: Omnibit

Aniakchak Caldera in Alaska is the least visited of all our national monuments. About 100 visit each year.

Aniakchak Caldera William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-15-19

The first diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy.

First diamond engagement ring William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-14-19

Salary comes from sal which is Latin for salt. Legend has it that the legionaries of Rome got their pay in sodium chloride. It’s disputed. Some say the word comes from the stipend the soldiers received to buy salt. Some say it referred to all provisions supplied to Roman governors.

All agree salt was pretty valuable back in the day.

Salary William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-13-19

A black bear’s hibernation means it goes up to eight months without food. You don’t want to be the first thing it sees when it wakes up. Yes, black bears eat people.

Black bears eat people William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-12-19

Garrison’s Gorillas, which aired on ABC in 1967 and 1968, was a TV knock off of The Dirty Dozen of middling success. It was the first U.S. show, however, exported to China. It was wildly popular there and developed cult status. Supposedly high level meetings of the Chinese Communist Party were rescheduled so members could watch it.

Garrison’s Gorillas William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-11-19

Grand Canyon Suite was recorded in Camden, N.J.

Grand Canyon Suite William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-9-19

Francis Scott Key was not a prisoner of the British when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner. He was the head of a peace mission sent to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes, a physician. However, Keys caught wind of their sneak attack on Fort McHenry so the Brits detained them until after the fighting — and their defeat.

William Beanes William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 2-8-19

Why do they call melodramas melodramas? They started off as plays in which action was accompanied by music. Melos is Greek for song.

Charles Fossard murdered a elderly man in Australia and stole his boots. He was caught, convicted and started serving his life sentence in 1903. It ended 70 years and 303 days later — that would be 1974 — with his death in prison. Fossard holds the record for longest sentence served.

Who is Maria Ann Smith? She was an 19th century Australian orchardist famed for her apples. You know her better as Granny.