Interesting Things to Know
Statue of Liberty Celebrates Another Year as America’s Beacon of Freedom
A Testament to the Bonds of Friendship and the Power of Community
It was 137 years ago when the silhouette of a grand statue first graced the horizon of New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty, an emblem of freedom and unity, has since stood tall, a reminder of the strong ties that bind two great nations, France and America, together.
That majestic statue, an embodiment of hope and friendship, was a gift from France, a symbol of a bond forged through revolutions and a shared love for liberty. The journey of Lady Liberty from conception to its unveiling on October 28, 1886, spanned two decades filled with meticulous planning, expert engineering, and exquisite sculpting.
Remarkably, the Statue of Liberty was born from a fusion of two cultures. The colossal statue, with its intricate designs and thoughtful detailing, was conceived and constructed piece by piece in France. Meanwhile, its massive pedestal and base, which supports Lady Liberty, was meticulously built on American soil. A testament to the ambitions of the era, the base was groundbreaking – it was the largest volume of cement ever poured at the time.
However, a project of such scale required not only technical prowess but financial backing as well. Half of the necessary funds were generously donated by the affluent, but there was still a significant deficit.
Enter Joseph Pulitzer, a name synonymous with great journalism and the power of the press. The publisher of the New York World Pulitzer perceived the statue as more than just a monument – it was a symbol of America’s democratic ethos and shared history. He launched a fundraising campaign that would tap into the very essence of this nation’s spirit.
What transpired next was nothing short of magical. Children across the country broke open their piggy banks, sending in pennies, nickels, and dimes. Every day, hardworking folks, recognizing the importance of the statue, made their own contributions. Their collective efforts resonated with the core ideals the statue itself stood for unity, freedom, and the power of the people.
As we commemorate another year of the Statue of Liberty standing tall in New York Harbor, we’re reminded not only of the ties that bind nations but the bonds we share as a community. Lady Liberty continues to stand not just as a gift from France but as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the people.
Interesting Things to Know
Jeff Bezos Awards $50 Million to Admiral Bill McRaven for Veteran and Leadership Programs
In a remarkable act of philanthropy, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has awarded $50 million to Admiral Bill McRaven as part of the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. This substantial sum is earmarked for initiatives close to McRaven’s heart, specifically focusing on supporting the children of deceased veterans, enhancing mental health services for veterans, and funding educational programs to develop future military leaders.
Admiral McRaven, a revered figure in the military, served as a Navy SEAL and was the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Following his military career, he became the chancellor of the University of Texas System, continuing his dedication to leadership and education.
The Bezos Courage and Civility Award, which started in 2021, recognizes leaders who actively contribute meaningfully to their communities. McRaven’s commitment to the veteran community and leadership development highlights the core values the award seeks to promote. In addition to McRaven, actress and entrepreneur Eva Longoria also received this year’s award for supporting the Latino community in the United States through scholarships and resources for Latino entrepreneurs.
Last year’s recipient, Dolly Parton, utilized the award to advance causes such as education, animal preservation, and disease research, embodying the spirit of the award by putting her “money where her heart is.”
This generous initiative by Bezos underscores the potential of private wealth to drive significant social change, particularly when aligned with the expertise and passion of individuals like McRaven, who are deeply committed to their causes.
Health
Mosquito Season: Staying Safe with the Right Repellent
With mosquito season in full swing, the buzz isn’t just about the annoyance of itchy bites—there’s a serious side to these pests. Mosquitoes are notorious carriers of dangerous diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, making effective repellents crucial for comfort and health.
DEET, developed by the U.S. Army in the 1940s and available commercially since the 1950s, remains one of the most effective ingredients in mosquito repellents. Despite early concerns about its safety, public opinion has largely shifted, favoring DEET’s effectiveness over potential risks, especially in areas prone to mosquito-borne illnesses.
How does DEET work? It doesn’t repel mosquitoes in the traditional sense. Instead, it confuses them. DEET interferes with the receptors on mosquitoes’ antennae, effectively dulling their ability to detect and feed on human blood. This makes DEET-based products a top choice for preventing mosquito bites.
The research underscores the superiority of DEET in prolonging the time until the first mosquito bite. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that DEET products were significantly more effective than other repellents. For instance, a product with just 6.65% DEET can protect for about 112.4 minutes, while options with higher concentrations, like OFF! Deep Woods, with 23.8% DEET, offers up to 301 minutes of protection. In contrast, citronella-based products lag behind, providing only 10 to 20 minutes of relief.
However, when it comes to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises caution, recommending that repellents for young users contain no more than 10% DEET. The debate continues among experts regarding the safety of DEET products for children, but the consensus is clear on one point: DEET is effective.
For those looking for more information on choosing the right mosquito repellent and understanding the safe use of DEET, resources such as health.harvard.edu provide valuable insights.
Staying informed and prepared is key as we navigate through peak mosquito season. Whether camping, hiking, or just enjoying an evening in your backyard, a good repellent can make all the difference between a pleasant outdoor experience and an uncomfortable, risky one.
Interesting Things to Know
The Great Dishwasher Debate: Silverware Up or Down?
In kitchen quandaries, the debate on how to load silverware in the dishwasher might seem trivial, yet it sparks widespread discussion. The core of the controversy? Whether to place handles up or down in the dishwasher basket.
Both camps have their adherents, and surprisingly, the consensus across both is that knives should be placed handles up for safety reasons—nobody wants a nasty poke when unloading. However, opinions diverge when it comes to forks and spoons. While some argue that placing handles up is safer and more sanitary, allowing users to grab the handle instead of the part in their mouth, others suggest a different approach to optimize cleanliness.
Dishwasher manufacturers generally advise placing handles up. This configuration is not just about safety; it’s also a matter of hygiene. Handling only the part of the utensil you hold rather than the part that touches food maintains cleanliness from the dishwasher to the dining table.
However, an interesting twist in the debate comes from culinary advice shared by sources like Reader’s Digest, which suggests an additional tactic: mixing up the cutlery in the basket. This method prevents utensils like spoons from nesting together, which can impede water flow and detergent access during the wash cycle, resulting in spoons that aren’t thoroughly cleaned.
For knives, there’s also a side discussion on maintenance. Some culinary experts advocate for hand washing sharp knives, not just for safety but to preserve their sharpness, arguing that the abrasive environment of a dishwasher can dull the blades over time.
Thus, while the debate may continue in kitchens worldwide, the best practice seems to involve a combination of safety, hygiene, and strategic loading techniques. Whether you’re a handle-up or handle-down proponent, the ultimate goal remains clean and safe cutlery for your next meal.
Interesting Things to Know
From Foster Care to Fulfillment: The Inspiring Journey of Rob Henderson
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the challenges over 400,000 children in foster care systems across the United States face. Among these stories is that of Rob Henderson, whose new book “Troubled” details his remarkable transition from a turbulent childhood in foster care to achieving a Ph.D. in psychology from Cambridge University.
Henderson’s journey began in hardship. At just three years old, he experienced a painful separation from his addicted mother, marking the start of his uncertain life in foster care. His early years were filled with frequent moves between homes—some forgotten, some unforgettable. “I was moving foster homes every six months to a year or so. Day to day, I wouldn’t know whether I would be moved to a different home,” Henderson shared in an interview with Persuasion.com. This instability is a common thread in many foster care stories, where children often face abrupt changes due to shifts in foster family circumstances or reintegration efforts with biological families.
Despite the chaos, Henderson’s life took a positive turn when he was adopted at age six, although this stability was short-lived due to his adoptive parents’ subsequent divorce. The following years were marked by impulsivity and disengagement, challenges that Henderson later overcame with the structure and discipline provided by military service. As Henderson notes, the military understands the “latent impulsivity and stupidity in young people,” providing the rigorous environment he needed to harness his potential.
The turning point in Henderson’s life came with the support of the G.I. Bill, which financed his higher education, setting him on the path to academic and personal success. Today, Henderson’s story is not just one of overcoming adversity but also a testament to the profound impact of structured support systems for foster children.
As National Foster Care Month continues, Henderson’s narrative sheds light on the ongoing need for stable, nurturing foster homes and the critical support systems that can change the trajectories of young lives. His story is a call to action, reminding us of the potential within each child in foster care and the societal obligation to ensure that these children do not just survive but thrive.
Interesting Things to Know
Unlocking Laughter: The Power of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids
If you’re an uncle, aunt, or grandparent eager to connect with a young child, mastering the knock-knock joke is a must. Children, especially those around five, find immense joy in the simplicity and predictability of a well-delivered knock-knock joke. These jokes aren’t just about causing a burst of giggles; they’re key to engaging with children in a way that lights up their brains with joy and laughter.
A 2012 study sheds light on how humor activates similar regions in the brains of adults and children. While adults have more developed centers for humor, five-year-olds are just beginning to grasp the structure of stories and jokes, including a start, middle, and end. This developmental milestone makes knock-knock jokes an ideal form of humor for them, tapping into their newfound understanding and appreciation of sequence and surprise.
The journey into humor begins even earlier than five, tracing back to the first chuckles elicited by a game of peek-a-boo. Laughter and humor comprehension are not just about the momentary joy they bring; they are integral to the development of creativity, empathy, and resilience. Publications like The Globe and Mail have highlighted these benefits, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a sense of humor from a young age.
For those looking to become a favorite relative, here are a few knock-knock jokes guaranteed to delight:
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Tank.
- Tank who?
- You’re welcome.
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Howl.
- Howl who?
- Howl you know unless you open the door?
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Boo.
- Boo who?
- Don’t cry, it’s just a joke!
These jokes are simple yet effective tools for creating moments of shared laughter and joy. They do more than entertain; they build connections, enhance understanding, and contribute to a child’s emotional and cognitive development. So next time you’re planning a visit to a young relative, arm yourself with a collection of knock-knock jokes. You’ll not only be the star of the hour but also play a role in fostering a lively sense of humor that carries lifelong benefits.
Interesting Things to Know
Harnessing Your Sixth Sense: How to Use Intuition Effectively
Intuition, often called a “sixth sense” or a hunch, is a powerful mental tool that can guide us through decisions when logic alone isn’t enough. Psychologists from York University in Toronto have explored the origins of these intuitive insights and suggest practical ways to harness them effectively.
Understanding Intuition
Intuition operates as an ability to understand something immediately without needing conscious reasoning. It allows us to make decisions quickly, especially when we have limited information but a wealth of relevant experience. This sixth sense can often seem like it comes from nowhere, yet it’s deeply rooted in our past experiences and knowledge.
Enhancing Your Intuitive Abilities
- Expand Your Knowledge Base: Intuition is stronger in fields where you have more expertise. Invest time learning and expanding your knowledge to improve your intuitive abilities, especially outside your current areas of expertise. This broader understanding sets the stage for more frequent and accurate insights.
- Take a Step Back: To cultivate intuition, engage deeply with your questions and potential answers, then take a deliberate break. Activities that fully relax and occupy your mind can refresh your cognitive processes and lead to breakthroughs when you revisit the problem.
- Trust Your Gut: Experience fuels intuition. Trust your gut feelings, especially in areas where you have deep knowledge. While intuition sometimes contradicts logical reasoning, it often points toward innovative solutions that logic might miss.
- Verify Your Insights: While intuition can lead to rapid conclusions, validating these insights with facts and data is crucial. Before acting on a gut feeling, cross-check it with reality to ensure it stands up to scrutiny. This process confirms the validity of your intuitive leaps and can prevent potential mistakes.
Intuition as a Problem-Solving Tool
Intuition isn’t about making random guesses. It’s an advanced form of cognitive processing that blends past experiences with present awareness. By fostering your intuition through learning, relaxation, trust, and verification, you can enhance your decision-making skills in both personal and professional realms.
Remember, while facts and data are crucial, there comes a point in decision-making where you must rely on intuition’s less tangible yet profoundly insightful power. Embrace it as a complementary tool that, when used wisely, can lead to more holistic and effective problem-solving.
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