MACY’S DAY PARADE In 1920, Gimbel’s Department Store in Philadelphia sponsored a Thanksgiving parade that wound around downtown and ended at the door to their store. It was all a gimmick designed to promote their new “Toyland” display. This was the nation’s first Thanksgiving parade, and it’s still held annually in Philadelphia even though the […]
ALEXANDER FLEMING Where would the world be without the extraordinary efforts of Sir Alexander Fleming? This week, Tidbits delves into the life story of the man who discovered penicillin. • Although born to humble Scottish farmers in 1881, Alexander Fleming had high aspirations of becoming a doctor. His academic promise was noted when he was […]
REINDEER FACTS • In 1821, a children’s poem written by an unknown author was published in booklet form in New York City just in time for Christmas. The poem was called “Old Santeclaus with Much Delight” and the illustrations depicted Santa on a sleigh being pulled by a single reindeer, leaving toys for good girls […]
XMAS: WHAT THE HECK? by Janet Spencer Most Christmas customs germinated from traditions connected to or borrowed from other festivals and celebrations, while others were made up on the spot. Here are the stories behind several somewhat perplexing Christmas habits. CHRISTMAS CONFUSION Why the heck is it abbreviated as “Xmas”? • The symbol ‘X’ comes […]
by Millie Jones A business newsletter can help people keep updated on your products or services. By creating a newsletter, you develop credibility. It's also a cost-efficient way to reach many people at once, whether you're offering services or products online or only providing them to the Cedar Rapids area. However, before you create a newsletter, […]
• The 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe is thought to be the first novel written in the English language. Author Daniels Defoe’s name did not appear on the title page of the book’s first edition, leading readers to believe that Crusoe was a real person who was a castaway on a remote island for 28 years. […]
It’s no use searching the skies for Halley’s Comet – it won’t appear for another 39 years! But you CAN search out these facts about this famous astronomical mystery -- Tidbits has done the work for you!• Comets are made up of water, ice, dust, and carbon dioxide. They have long luminous tails that are […]
by Millie Jones Are you thinking about taking advantage of all those years of experience fixing up your home to start a flipping business? As a retired senior, you can build a successful company renovating houses, but be cautious and understand what you are getting into before making any investment. Today, Tidbits offers some tips […]
by Millie Jones As your family members age, there may come a time when you start to wonder if you need to be closer to them, so you can ensure they can get the help they need. It’s sometimes a difficult call about who needs to move where when the time comes. Many times, senior […]
Few people are aware that on the same day as the Chicago Fire, a far more devastating fire occurred only a few hundred miles north of Chicago. The Peshtigo Fire killed some 1,200 people in Wisconsin— five times as many as the Chicago Fire— and became North America’s worst forest fire in history. The town […]
