Is Rhode Island the only state to celebrate Victory Day?

September 2 is the designated V-J Day in the United States, and it is only recognized as an official holiday in Rhode Island. The official name Victory Day, is observed on the second Monday in August.

What do the Olympic rings represent?

The Olympic rings were designed in 1912 by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.  The Olympic rings composed of five interlocking rings colored blue, black, red, yellow and green represent the five major regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The Colors of the rings were chosen because every National flag in the world contains one of the five colors. 

Source: http://www.janecky.com/olympics/rings.html

When does Ramadan begin?

Ramadan which occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar begins July 19 and lasts until August 18, 2012. Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, where participating Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is done to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. The dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon. 

Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

How many hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth of July?

July is National Hot Dog Month and according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, over the Fourth of July (the biggest hot dog holiday of the year) over 155 million hot dogs will be consumed. The council also estimates Americans eat over twenty billion hotdogs a year.

Source: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/hotdog1.html

When was the first Father’s Day?

After the success of Mother’s Day in the early twentieth century, many wanted to create a similar holiday for other family members, and Father’s Day became the choice to succeed Mother’s Day. Founded in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, its first celebration was in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. Dodd wanted to celebrate her father who was a Civil War Veteran and a single parent who raised six children. Initially the holiday did not have much success and it faded into obscurity through the 1920s. In the 1930s, Dodd began promoting the holiday again, but most Americans resisted as they saw it as an attempt by merchants to repeat the commercial success of Mother’s Day. After many attempts by Congress, and several U.S. presidents to make Father’s Day a national holiday, in 966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. It was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father%27s_Day

How is the first day of summer determined?

 

In the United States and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of summer is the day that the Sun is farthest north. This day is known as the Summer Solstice and occurs on June 20^th or 21^st which also happens to be the longest day of the year.

Source: http://www.calendar-updates.com/info/holidays/us/summer.aspx

What plants can help keep cats out of the garden?

Rue is one of the most common perennial shrubs that help keep cats away because they find the scent offensive. Lemon thyme, lavender, and the scaredy cat plant will also help repel cats from gardens.

Source:  http://www.homeandgardenideas.com/gardening/plants/planting/plants-keep-cats-out-your-garden

What is the longest escalator in the United States?

The longest continuous escalator in the United States and the Western Hemisphere is located in Washington D.C. It is at the Wheaton station of the Washington D.C. Metro system. It is 230 feet long with a vertical rise of 115 feet. It can take approximately 2 minutes 45 seconds to ascend or descend without walking.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheaton_%28Washington_Metro%29

Why is Tax Day April 15?

Since 1955, Tax day has typically fallen on April 15. If April 15 falls on a Friday, Taxes are due the following Monday. If April 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes are due the following Tuesday due to the observance of Emancipation Day in Washington, DC. Which is why this year taxes are due on April 17.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Day