Here are some fun and interesting facts about the summer.
Fact #1 - The Eiffel Tower grows in summer. This historic structure is made of iron. Metal expands with heat. As a result, the Eiffel Tower can grow more than six inches in hot weather.
Fact #2 - Ice cream is sold the most in July. In July, Americans celebrate National Ice Cream Month. U.S. citizens consume about 5.5 gallons per year (on average). Higher temperatures affect sales.
Facts #3 - Frisbees were invented by accident. If you visit the park in the summer, you probably enjoy tossing a Frisbee. This toy was creased in the 1870s as a pie plate. (Yum!) Students started throwing them around in 1940s changing the use to a form of entertainment.
Fact #4 - Swimming nude use to be the norm. No clothes necessary - at least in ancient days. This practice changed around the 17th century. Laws were put in place about decent swimming attire. Apparently, nobody wanted to see grandpa in the buff anymore.
Fact #5 - Summer Olympic games used to be exclusive. This event began in 1896 at Athens. Initially, the fairer sex could only be a spectator. This reality changed by 1900.
Fact #6 - An educator invented summer vacation. His name was Horace Mann. In 1837, he was elected as Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Mann used this platform to reform the school system from adding a break and developing uniform training for teachers.
Fact #7 - Summer breaks vary around the globe. Children in industrialized countries go to school for more hours in a day and more days per year. Summer Breaks are shorter as well. Be grateful if you reside in a high-tech environment.
Fact #8 - The first day of summer has a name. The summer solstice kicks off the season. This day usually falls on June 20 or June 21. The term solstice is Latin for sun stand still.
Fact #9 - Three holidays occur in the summer. Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day all occur in summer. These celebrations include a favorite food for most - barbecue. (See barbecue and grilling recipes.) This delicious fare is either baked in an oven or grilled.
Fact #10 - Watermelon is a vegetable. As the air heats up, so does the consumption of watermelon. This vegetable is part of the cucumber, squash and pumpkin family. Americans eat 15 pounds each year.
