Living one billion seconds occurs during your 31st year of life.

Source: http://www.wired.com

Shark Week: Day 6

 On average falling coconuts cause 150 human fatalities every year, that’s 30 times more than sharks.

Source: http://www.bookyourdive.com/

Shark Week: Day 5

Julia Child is probably best known for bringing French cuisine into America’s mainstream. But, few know that she had a dynamic career as an intelligence officer before she became a cooking icon.

Soon after the United States entered World War II, Julia felt the need to serve her country. Too tall to join the military, Julia volunteered her services to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was the forerunner of today’s Central Intelligence Agency. She was one of 4,500 women who served in the OSS.

Julia worked with the OSS Emergency Sea Rescue Equipment Section, where she helped develop shark repellent. The repellent was a critical tool during WWII, and was coated on explosives that were targeting German U-boats. Before the introduction of the shark repellent, curious sharks would sometimes set off the explosives when they bumped into them.

Source: http://www.cia.gov

The first Belmont Stakes in 1867 was run in the clockwise direction, in the tradition of English racing. It wasn’t until 1921 that the direction was changed to the counter clockwise direction which is customary in American racing.

Source: http://www.horseracegame.com

The Belmont Stakes is referred to as the “Run for the Carnations” because of the blanket of white carnations draped over the winner’s neck. Because the race is the final leg of the Triple Crown and because of its trying l.5-mile distance, it is also referred to as the “Test of the Champion.”

Source: http://www.boydsbets.com

As soon as the Preakness Stake winner has been declared, a painter climbs to the top of the replica Old Clubhouse copula to paint the weather vane. He applies the colors of the winner’s silks to the jockey and horse, which will remain there until a new winner is declared in the next year’s Preakness. The practice began in 1909 after the original building’s arrow-shaped weather vane was struck down by lightening. To replace it, the Maryland Jockey Club commissioned an ornamental ironworker to forge a vane in the form of a horse and rider. It was christened that spring by coating it with the colors of the silks of that year’s winner, Effendi, and has continued ever since.

Source: http://www.preakness.com

A long-standing Preakness Stakes tradition is to drape a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans — the official flower for the state of Maryland — across the shoulders of the winning horse.  Because Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom until June in Maryland, the centers of daisies are painted black to recreate the correct appearance.

Source: http://www.about.com

A staggering 122 million phone calls are made to moms on Mother’s Day in the United States.

Source: http://www.softschools.com