Where will you be on the 4^th of July or otherwise known as Independence Day?  The official steps of independence were taken around the 4^th of July by the founding fathers of the United States of America.  Many will travel to Washington, DC to see the fireworks at the nation’s capital.  Here are a few facts to amaze your friends this coming 4^th of July:

      The Second Continental Congress actually voted to approve a resolution of independence on July 2, 1776.  John Adams wrote that he thought this would be the national holiday

      The Declaration of Independence has the date of July 4^th even though many signed it over the next month

      John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died 50 years later on July 4^th, 1826

      Independence Day became an unpaid federal holiday in 1870 and then a paid holiday in 1938

      Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held annually on July 4^th since 1916

So grab your stars and stripes and celebrate Independence Day on this July 4^th.  

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Are you looking for that perfect gift for your dad on Father's Day?  Take a minute and check out this list of interesting facts about Father’s Day and some of things we do with our fathers.  After 20 years the most admired TV father is still Cliff Huxtable played by Bill Cosby.  Even though neckties are one of the least popular Father's Day gifts, over 10% of ties sold are due to the holiday.  Here are a few more things to know:

ü  President Nixon made Father’s Day an official national celebration in 1972

ü  An average of $91 is spent on Dad on Father’s Day

ü  Father’s Day is the fifth most popular day to eat out

ü  38% of Dad’s would take a pay cut to spend more time with their children

ü  2010 is recognized as the 100^th anniversary of the day started in Spokane, Washington in 1910

So grab your dad and spend the day doing whatever he wants to do on the third Sunday of June.  Happy Father’s Day!

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The observance of Memorial Day is special to almost every family in the United States due to the service of family and friends over the years.  Traced back to the decorating of graves after the Civil War, remember our fallen is essential to keep perspective when we feel that armed conflict is our only solution.  So as many families fire up the grill and gather around the pool, keep in mind that at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, DC, the grave of the Unknown Soldier will represent our fallen. Here are a few additional things to know about Memorial Day:

ü  Originally known as Decoration Day and commemorates the men and women that have died while in military service

ü  Credit is given to Waterloo, New York in 1866 for holding the first event recognizing Decoration Day

ü  3pm on the last Monday of May is the designated national moment of remembrance

ü  The Indianapolis 500 has been run every year in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911

ü  Many Americans view Memorial Day as the unofficial first day of summer

So take a minute to remember those that have served and given their lives to protect our freedom.  God Bless America.

Tags: memorial, day, holiday, best, top, list, rank, fact, trivia

Have you thanked your Mother today?  In 1914, Congress officially passed legislation that the second Sunday in May would be officially celebrated at Mother’s Day.  So whether you are looking for the perfect gift or the best way to express your thanks – here are a few facts about the holiday that help keep the holiday in perspective.

ü  Over 80 Million mothers in the United States

ü  Greeting cards, Jewelry and Perfume are the top gifts given on Mother’s Day

ü  The odds of a mother giving birth to twins are 1 in 31. Triplets or more occur every 1 in 539

ü  Over 36,000 births per year do not occur in hospitals

ü  August is the month with the highest number of births

ü  Tuesday is the most popular day to have a new baby

So grab the phone and call your mom today just to check in and see how she is doing.  No need to wait until Mother’s Day.

Tags: mother, mothers, day, best, top, list, rank, facts

Are you in a “Save the World” mood?  April 22^nd, 2010 marks the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day.  Earth Day typically marks the one day that we raise awareness of issues that affect Mother Earth.   So over the next year as you book your next trip on the best travel websites and look down from the airplane, keep in mind that everything we do starts a small chain reaction in the environment.  Here are a few bits of trivia about Earth Day:

·         Started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson to focus on environmental issues

·         On Earth Day 20 in 1990 over 200 million people participated

·         China, Russia and the USA had representatives at Mt. Everest to partner on climbing as a team at Earth Day 20

·         Originally many thought that April 22^nd was chosen due to being Vladimir Lenin’s birthday

·         Senator Nelson shared that April 22^nd was also St. Francis of Assisi’s birthday and is considered the world’s first environmentalist.

So pick up an extra piece of trash and recycle to do your part in keeping Mother Earth.  FasList thanks you.

Tags: earth, day, facts, april, 22, environment, best, top, list, rank

If you are ready to indulge in green beverages, then review our list of St. Patrick’s Day list of things to know about the holiday in order to be the expert in your group of merrymakers.  New York hosts one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades around so if you are planning a visit, here is a list of the Top Things to do in New York City.  So grab your green and be ready to impress your friends with your knowledge:

·         Approximately 1 in 10,000 clovers are a four leaf clover

·          The US has 9 times more Irish decedents than Ireland

·         St. Patrick was born in Britain, kidnapped and brought to Ireland to tend sheep

·         There are no snakes in Ireland

·         Chicago is considered the first city to dye the river green on the holiday

So grab a Guinness and put on your green.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Tags: st patricks, day, clover, irish, trivia, facts, best, top, list, rank