Most of us are aware that Christmas is also a time for gift-giving. But do you know what the largest Christmas present ever given is – the Statue of Liberty! In 1886, France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a Christmas gift.

It was used for the execution of captives, including as Christians and Jews, as part of the Roman Triumph, as well as chariot racing. Historians estimate that the Circus Maximum could house 150,000 - 250,000 people at any given time. This implies it might house more spectators than North Korea's Rungrado May Day Stadium, the world's largest capacity stadium, which can hold around 114,000 people.

Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, got the idea for the company back in 1997 when Blockbuster had charged him a late fee of $40 for a VHS copy of Apollo 13. His little idea soon grew into something a lot bigger and he eventually launched Netflix in 1998. 

Ancient Egyptians believed that makeup had healing powers that protected them from the sun and therefore both men and women wore makeup. The black eye paint that we’ve come to know so well from ancient Egyptian depictions was made from red and they also wore green makeup that was made from copper.

Snails, which are living every lazy person's dream, have finally made it to the list of the laziest of all. They can sleep for three to four years without needing to eat. And we humans do nothing except eat, sleep and repeat.

One in five individuals will dress up their animal pals this year, according to the NRF poll. The estimated amount spent on pets for Halloween 2022 will surpass the previous record high ($710 million). The most widely worn pet costumes are those of a witch, hot dog, bat, bumblebee, pumpkin, and bat.

A black hole is so named because of its hue, especially since light cannot escape. What we can see, though, are the consequences of a black hole. We can see the impact of a black hole on its surroundings by analyzing its surroundings. A star that is close enough to a black hole, for example, may be seen being ripped apart.

Even more "folded" than the human brain, the dolphin brain existed millions of years before the emergence of humans. Scientists frequently gauge IQ by counting the "folds" in the brain.

When they roll out the red carpet on Oscar night spare a thought for the organizers. The specially made carpet is a whopping 500 feet long and has to be rolled out at LA's prestigious Kodak Theatre days in advance, hoovered and covered with protective plastic, before being unveiled just hours before the ceremony.

Because of internal politics and civil unrest in some regions, large parts are off limits to tourists. This includes some of the more beautiful areas in Shan State and a number of smaller villages. You’re also faced with restrictions for religious purposes and to preserve the integrity of rural communities. But, this shouldn’t stop you from wanting to visit. The typical tourist trail offers a wide variety of opportunities to experience all the history and culture that Myanmar has to offer including Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, and Inle Lake. And you’ll have plenty of chances to get off the beaten track if that’s what you want to do.

There are between 32 and 45 different species of rattlesnakes known to science, and Arizona is home to many of them. 
This includes the sidewinder rattlesnake, which is renowned for its horns and side-winding movements, as well as the western diamond-backed rattlesnake, which is the largest rattlesnake in the West. Four species are under special protection in Arizona, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department: the massasauga rattlesnake, the twin-spotted rattlesnake, the ridge-nosed rattlesnake, and the rock rattlesnake.

The frozen meals staple was not always connected with the catchphrase "Hot Pockets!" They were originally named "Chunk Stuffers," but thankfully someone thought better of that unappealing moniker.

The small particles in our surroundings are continually being inhaled by us. Each person's asthma and airways respond to triggers differently. Our airways narrow or spasm as a response to these triggers. Once they reach a certain point where the air can no longer flow easily, symptoms of turbulent wheezing and asthma start to appear.

If you've seen the crowds that gather around Oxford Circus in London when the green man arrives, you might find this hard to believe. Shibuya Crossing, on the other hand, frequently sees up to 2,500 people crossing at the same time. That's a lot of work!

The photophores, which are glandular, light-producing organs, allow krill to glow. The purpose of this function, according to experts, is either for krill to communicate with one another when they swarm or to confound and elude predators.

You may know Benjamin Franklin as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and the man who performed the lightning rod experiment, but did you know he also invented bifocal lenses? He was both far-sighted and near-sighted, and he was sick of constantly changing his glasses. As a result, he devised the idea of combining both lenses into a single frame.

During the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, George Washington and his troops were fighting a losing battle against the British. Recognizing that they were being surrounded necessitated a chance to flee. A thick fog descended on the area, giving Washington the time and cover he needed to withdraw 9,000 of his troops into Manhattan. When the fog lifted, the British descended on the American positions, only to find them deserted. The Americans' miraculous retreat saved their lives during a pivotal early battle in the American War of Independence.

Because earthenware is porous and allows for even heat distribution, the food cooks more tenderly and tastes better. The benefits and goodness of nutrition and flavor are retained in the food cooked in these pots, which keeps it fresher for longer.

After regular services were discontinued, some Cambodians built their own trains out of bamboo. It is now a popular tourist destination and a must-see for anybody visiting Cambodia.

The Wankaner House, which covers 10,000 square yards, was erected in the 1930s. It was sold to the American government in 1957 for Rs. 18 crores ($ 4 million) since the royal family could not afford to maintain such a large property and there was a large tax owed. Another building owned by the Wanaker royals was the Amar Building on Firozsha Mehta Road in Bombay. It was sold to the government of India for Rs. 19 crores ($4.2 million) and presently houses the Reserve Bank of India's foreign currency department.

The smooth coat and the long coat are the two types of Chihuahuas. While both forms are regarded as separate breeds in the UK, the American Kennel Club considers them as one breed.

Yes! You read that right. Parrots have zygodactyl feet. Parrots' feet are much like human hands that they use to pick up their food and bring it to their mouth. They have one of the strongest feet among all the birds, which they use to clench branches for a long period. The strong feet even allow these birds to hang upside down from the branches.

Arnold Schwarzenegger really got a good deal when he signed on for Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Austrian Oak was paid the huge sum of $15 million. Arnie only speaks 700 words in the blockbuster hit, which equates to $21,428 per word. It might seem excessive, but considering the film went on to make around $520 million worldwide, it seems like a smart investment by the studio. 

 

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that roughly twice as many women as men have Alzheimer's disease. For women, the signs of Alzheimer's also seem to deteriorate more quickly. Brain shrinkage affects women with Alzheimer's more severely than males. According to research, there may be other health issues at play here.