Timbits2Toonies

In 1843, kids in Québec learned the three 'Rs' in 665 elementary schools. The world's largest prison is Rikers Island in New York City.  Kevlar is five times stronger than steel.  The roti wrap originated in Trinidad in the 1940s. As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. The automatic carwash was invented in 1946.  Pumpkin leaves are eaten as a vegetable in Korean cuisine. There are 29 public libraries in Newfoundland and Labrador. Turkish Delight has pleased the palate for 242 years. Someone stole my thesaurus. I'm lost for words. The average person's skin measures two metres square. Ontario's Official Tree is the eastern white pine.  John Jacob Astor IV was the wealthiest man to die in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Today in 1967, Swedes shifted from driving to the left, to driving on the right side of the road. Pine saplings attend elementree school.  There are 61 airports in the Commonwealth of T...

The Automatic Teller Machine turns 50 today. It is the sulphur compounds found in onions that makes one cry. The safest angle to position a ladder is 75.5°. Prince Harry stands 189 centimetres tall.  In the era of dinosaurs, there were no ATMs--they made do with Tyrannosaurus Cheques. It is impossible to buy a Citroën in Canada, the US and México. The name Charles means full-grown or freeman.  Today in 1945, Imperial Japan formally surrendered to the Allies. Coal is formed from peat.  The introverted CEO in the coal industry mined his own business. The lowest rank in the RCAF is Aviator. Introduced in 1915, Maybelline mascara was made from coal dust and Vaseline. On this date in 1752, the British Empire adopted the Julian calendar. Today in 1998, Swissair Flight 111 crashed into St. Margaret's Bay, NS; 229 perished. Two wrongs don't make a right but two Wrights can make a plane. The shelf life of  a can of Heinz baked be...

Today in 1980,  cancer ended Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope--after 5,000 km and 135 days. Citizens of Malta retire at age 63. Baxter was originally the feminine form of Baker. The science of extraterrestrial life is called exobiology.  A stereo made of chocolate cake is a gâteau blaster. September had 29 days until Julian calendar reform added a day. Québecair was privatized today, in 1987. 4.8 million dairy cows graze in New Zealand's pastures. The Bridge of Avignon is 900 metres long. When travelling on a cramped plane, beware of jet leg. 13% of the Amazon Rainforest lies in Peru. Nazi Germany invaded Poland today in 1939, plunging the world into six years of war. The number of child labourers is more than 168 million. Bombardier, Inc. is 77 years old. Life is a zoo in a jungle. Today in 1971, British Columbia became the first province to ban tobacco advertising. To call is the act of sending out the voice to attract the attention of anothe...

Jean Talon counted noses today in 1666. The population of New France was 3 418. Denmark’s electrically-powered ferry, Ellen, carries 30 vehicles and 200 passengers. Sky fruit, the seed of the mahogany tree is edible. The courtesy title, Princess of Wales, was first bestowed in the 14th Century. My neighbour is obsessed with StatsCan. One day he may come to his census.  Worldwide, there are an estimated 10 000 distinct religions. 45% of the world’s goats are found in China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  Today in 1883, the Calgary Herald hit newsstands for the first time. The digital camera was invented 46 years ago. Everyone has a photographic memory; many lack film.  Goats breed year round.  Hippocrates created the formal study of climatology in 400 BCE. The Canada-US Free Trade Agreement came into force, today in 1988. Sardonyx was traditionally worn to prevent pulmonary infections.  The politically correct term ...

We can enjoy 24 more days of summer. Roundabouts reduce traffic fatalities by 90%. StatsCan reports that 42.3% of Millennials still live with their parents.  In Arizona, it is illegal to allow a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. My neighbour learned that most accidents happen less than a klick from home. He moved. Liquid soap made its first big splash in 1865. A NASA spacesuit costs US$12 million. 92% of Brazilian automobiles run on ethanol, sourced from sugar cane.  Today in 1611, Governor John Guy proclaimed Newfoundland's first laws.  To avoid parking tickets, remove the windshield wipers from your vehicle. 14 years ago today, Hurricane Katrina ripped into New Orleans, killing more than 1,700. Smiling creates antibodies that strengthen the immune system. Halleys Comet will orbit Earth in 2061. The name Cincinnatus means 'curly haired'.  We'd be completely safe if hurricanes were sold to the Argonauts; they'd never touch down. Half ...

The sense of smell increases in spring and summer. Today in 1907, the Québec Bridge collapsed into the St. Lawrence River; 65 were killed. A pair of Aspetto bulletproof boxer shorts costs USD$1,500. Arabic is the official language of 26 nations. My neighbour was shocked when the Ambassador Bridge collapsed. He can't get over it. Five short blasts from a ship's whistle means DANGER. The noble art of baking was introduced by ancient Romans in 300 BC. Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld coined the term 'transvestite' in 1910. Today in 1919, the PEI legislature lifted its 11-year ban on automobiles. A minimalist orchestra is similar to a regular orchestra, minus the bells and whistles. In the Canary Islands, folk communicate in the whistling language, Silbo Gomero. Winnie-the-Pooh has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Poutine gravy requires beef and chicken stock, as well as vinegar. On this date in 1991, the Communist Party was disbanded in Moscow. Scienti...

Elmer the Safety Elephant is 72 years old. The complete nursery rhyme,  Jack and Jill has 15 stanzas. A female opossum has 13 nipples. Today in 1833, slavery was abolished throughout the British Empire. An elephant was ticketed for running through a stomp sign.  Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988. 13% of the world's oats are grown in Canada. Today in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his I Have a Dream speech to 200,000 people. Dr. Ruth was a sniper in the Israeli Army.  Horses can be trained to play stable tennis.  For every multiplication answer, there are two division equations.  The whooper swan is the National Bird of Finland. The Snickers chocolate bar was named after a horse. 43,500 educators are members of the Alberta Teachers' Association. My next-door neighbour's horse only comes out at midnight, it's a nightmare. No need to wait for Armageddon, Norwegians can go to Hell anytime. The lette...