Trivia

The Dutch East India Co. wanted its sailors to get fresh grub on the trip around the southern tip of Africa. So in 1652 it dropped off several farmers at a likely spot there and told them to plant crops and raise livestock. That was the beginning of Cape Town.

Q. Why did Christianity choose Sunday for its Sabbath?

A. Because Judaism had already taken Saturday. With those two days spoken for, Islam then took Friday. Such was the order of Sabbath selection by the three major faiths that use the seven-day Genesis week.

On the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, England, the geraniums grow 7 feet tall.

George Washington’s false teeth - some of his sets, anyway - were fitted with springs so the upper and lower plates automatically opened when he opened his mouth.

Q. What do seamen do to “sally a ship”?

A. Rock it back and forth by shifting weight. In bygone days, crews aboard grounded sailing vessels ran from one side of the deck to the other to sally it free. Today icebreakers stuck on ice are sallied loose by powerful pumps that move water between bow and stern.