January 3, 2022

TODAY IS NATIONAL DRINKING STRAW DAY

          FACT:  The drinking straw was invented in Washington, D.C. by Marvin C. Stone.  He patented his invention on January 3, 1888.   He made his drinking straw  by wrapping strips of paper around a pencil.  He then removed the pencil and glued the strips together.  Before his invention people would drink directly from a cup or container or use plants such as reeds as straws.   The plants would often make the drink taste different.   Today, Americans use over 500 million drinking straws every single day!

Watch the video to learn how to use a straw to make a flying glider!

TODAY IN HISTORY

1777 General George Washington's revolutionary army defeats British forces at Battle of Princeton, New Jersey.

1870 Construction begins on New York's Brooklyn Bridge; completed May 24, 1883.

1959 Alaska becomes the 49th US state.

Today's Famous Birthdays

1892 J. R. R. Tolkien, British author:  The Lord of the Rings

1956 Mel Gibson, American actor:  Voice of John Smith in the animated Disney film "Pocahontas".

January 4, 2022

TODAY IS NATIONAL TRIVIA DAY!

QUESTION:  Are there benefits to playing trivia games?

ANSWER:  Yes. Trivia games exercise your brain and expose you to new information. Playing trivia games may improve cognitive skills such as memory, creativity, and problem-solving.

CAN YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW:

1. How many legs does a spider have?

2. What is something you hit with a hammer?

3. Where does the President of the United States live while in office?

4. What do caterpillars turn into?

5. What do bees make?