United States Facts | Facts about the United States

Microwaves in U.S. households

In 1978, only eight percent of U.S. households had microwave ovens. As of 2006 over 80 percent have them.

Increase in U.S. home sizes

The size of a typical American home has increased from 1100 to 1800 square feet over the past ten years.

Main source for natural gas in the United States

Ninety-nine percent of the natural gas used in the United States comes from North America.

Natural gas usage in the U.S.

Natural gas provides 24 percent of all the energy used in the United States

First use of gas energy

The first use of gas energy in the United States occurred in 1816, when gaslights illuminated the streets of Baltimore, Maryland.

Most consumed energy resource in the U.S

Currently, OIL provides the largest share of U.S. energy consumption -- about 41 percent of the entire market. Natural gas provides about 24 percent, coal 23 percent, hydropower 4 percent and nuclear power 8 percent.

In the United States, natural gas is used for:

Industrial processes = 46%
Residential use = 22%
Generating electricity = 15%
Commercial buildings = 15%

Random fact about renewable resources

In 1998, only 7.5 percent of our nation's energy came from renewable resources, even though the amount of renewable energy available was more than 250 times U.S. energy consumption.

Biomass usage in the u.s.

Biomass currently supplies about four percent of the energy produced in the U.S., and could potentially provide almost 20 percent.

Projected U.S. wind energy usage

The U.S. Department of Energy expects wind power to supply at least five percent of the nation's electricity by 2020.

Solar homes in the u.s.

More than 10,000 homes and counting in the United States are powered entirely by solar energy.

How much energy can the sun provide?

According to the American Solar Energy Society, enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface each minute to meet world energy demand for an entire year.

Beachings linked to military low-mid frequency active sonar

Mass beachings have been associated with active sonar
have occurred in Madeira (2000), Greece (1996), the U.S. Virgin Islands (1998, 1999), the Canary Islands (1985, 1988, 1989, 2002), and, northwest coast of the United States (2003).update: court blocks sonar 7/6/06

Chemicals cause male frogs to grow ovaries

US farms 1 trillion ears of corn a year, using a chemical called Atrazine that in the concentration of 1 part per billion causes male frogs to grow ovaries! Strangely, a higher dosage reduces the risk. Atrazine is the most widely used weed killer in the United States. It has also been linked to cancer in people.

How to feed the homeless?

More food is thrown out each day in the United States than is needed to feed its hungry . . . by McDonalds.

Deaths caused by cigarettes and alcohol in America

More than 400,000 Americans die from diseases related to cigarette smoking each year. More than 150,000 Americans die of alcohol abuse each year.

Land of the free in most cases

The United States, land of the free*
* As of 2007 your freedom may vary.

The misinformation administration

When the U.S. began the occupation of Iraq 72% of Americans thought that Saddam Hussein ORDERED the September 11th attacks. The Bush/Cheney ticket aka misinformation administration claimed to have evidence at the time.

What is the biggest city in the U.S.

If Brooklyn, New York became independent of New York City, it would be the third largest city in the United States, after the remainder of New York and Los Angeles.

This fact about Reno Nevada just might just blow your mind

Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, California.

Who was it that said "The british are coming?"

It is commonly understood that Paul Revere said "The british are coming, the british are coming."

However, Revere never said "The British are coming," this would have made no sense at the time since they considered themselves British.

Revere instead said, "The Regulars are coming out! The Regulars are coming out!" But, that doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Surprising fact about the interstate highways

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

Interesting fact about the declaration of independence

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, 1776 but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

Two states that became states on March 1st

Ohio became a state on March 1, 1803, and Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867.

Surprising facts about statues in the park

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

What animal is allowed to provide evidence in court?

The bloodhound is the only animal whose evidence is admissible in an American court.

China, or U.S., which nation has more english speakers?

China has more English speakers than the United States.

Interesting fact about U.S. presidents

No president of the United States was an only child.

A fact that helps put China's population in perspective

China has more English speakers than the United States.

The Atom Bomb got all the press

US forces fire bombed japan's wooden cities totally destroying 58 % of Yokohama (the size of Cleveland)
51% of Tokyo (new York) 99% Toyama (Chattanooga) 40% Nagoya (LA) killing 50-90% of the population in 67 Japanese cities BEFORE two nuclear bombs were dropped.

Prohibition is a great idea, if you are Al Capone

On January 16, 1919 the 18th Amendment, authorizing Prohibition, went into effect in the United States. The home of the free took a beating that day, and it opened the door for such mobster's as Al Capone to make $100,000,000 (100 million dollars) a year at a time when most folks made $1,000 a year.

Do you know what the real "Real McCoy" is?

Bill McCoy was a bootlegger well known for selling quality imported goods: the "real McCoy."

What do Paul Revere and the penny have in common?

Paul Revere’s metals company once supplied the Mint with rolled copper for the production of early cents. Impressively, the company is still in business today making top quality aluminum siding.

When was Ronald Reagan elected?

Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980

Who can run for president?

Requirements needed to apply for president are must be at least 35 years old, a native born citizen, and be at least a 14 year resident of the united states.

Who was president

In 1816 James Monroe won the presidency of the United States, winning the electoral college by the wide margin of 183 to 34. He took over the spot vacated by James Madison.

When did people in the united states start paying Income Tax?

In 1862, to support the Civil War, Congress enacted the nation's first income tax law. Congress eliminated the income tax in 1872 and it had a short-lived revival in 1894 and 1895.

In 1913 the income tax was brought back and became a permanent part of American life. It provided a seemingly unlimited source of funds to finance ever-growing government, and it gave the government an excuse to pry into every aspect of your life.

When were women given the right to vote in the united states?

In 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed giving the right of women to vote. The Nineteenth Amendment prohibits state and federal government from denying the right to vote to vote by any citizen because of their sex.

What do yeti & sasquatch, & bigfoot have in common?

Bigfoot, Yeti & Sasquatch refer to the same mysterious man / ape beings which have been reported around the world from the Pacific Northwest in the united states to the Canadian wilderness, to the slopes of the Himalayas, and to the forests of Siberia.

How many stars and stripes are on the US flag, and what do they represent?

The US flag has 50 stars, one for each state, and 13 stripes that stand for the original 13 colonies.

What is the largest US state by area?

Alaska is the largest US state by area. It is more than twice the size of Texas, the second-largest state.

What was the first national park in the US?

Yellowstone became the first US national park in 1872, and it is widely considered the first national park in the world.

Which country has the oldest written national constitution still in use?

The US Constitution was signed in 1787 and ratified in 1788. It is the oldest written national constitution still in use today.

Where did the Statue of Liberty come from?

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the US and was dedicated in New York Harbor in 1886.

Where was the hottest air temperature on Earth recorded?

Death Valley in California holds the record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth: 134°F (56.7°C), measured at Furnace Creek in 1913.

How did the Louisiana Purchase change the size of the US?

In 1803 the US bought the Louisiana Territory from France for about $15 million. The deal roughly doubled the size of the country.

Which US state is made up entirely of islands?

Hawaii is the only US state made up entirely of islands, and it was the last state to join the Union, in 1959.

What is the longest river in the US?

The Missouri River is the longest river in the US, at about 2,341 miles. It is slightly longer than the Mississippi, which it flows into.

How close are the US and Russia at their nearest point?

In the Bering Strait, Little Diomede Island (US) and Big Diomede Island (Russia) are only about 2.4 miles apart. The International Date Line runs between them, so they are almost a full day apart in time.

What is the longest international border in the world?

The border between Canada and the US is the longest international border in the world, stretching about 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles).

Who is responsible for the French Bulldog's famous bat ears?

The French Bulldog's signature upright "bat ears" exist largely because of American breeders in the late 1800s, who pushed for bat ears over the folded "rose ears" some European breeders preferred.

How long was the Labrador Retriever the most popular dog breed in the US?

The Labrador Retriever was the most popular dog breed in the US for 31 straight years, from 1991 until the French Bulldog finally dethroned it in 2022.

What are wiener dog races?

Wiener dog races are lighthearted sprint competitions for Dachshunds held across the US. The most famous is the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, where Dachshunds race in hot dog costumes.

What is the official state cat of Maine?

The Maine Coon became Maine's official state cat in 1985, which makes sense for a breed that developed naturally in the state's harsh New England winters.

Who created the Ragdoll cat breed?

The Ragdoll was developed in the 1960s in Riverside, California, by breeder Ann Baker. Its foundation cat was a white longhaired cat named Josephine.

How was the Exotic cat breed created?

The Exotic was created in the 1950s and 1960s by crossing Persians with American Shorthairs and other shorthaired breeds, which produced a cat with a Persian's face and a much shorter coat.

When did Siberian cats first come to the US?

Siberian cats were first imported to the US in 1990, shortly after the Cold War ended and travel and trade with Russia became easier.

How did the American Shorthair's ancestors arrive in North America?

The American Shorthair's ancestors are believed to have arrived with early European settlers, who brought cats on their ships to protect food supplies from rats and mice.

Is it legal to own a Bengal cat everywhere in the US?

Bengal cats are banned in Hawaii, and some states and cities restrict early-generation Bengals because of their wild ancestry, so it's worth checking local laws before getting one.

Are there more captive tigers in the US than wild tigers worldwide?

Conservation groups have estimated that about 5,000 tigers live in captivity in the US, many in private hands, which is roughly as many tigers as remain in the wild worldwide.

Is there a bear on California's flag?

California's state flag features a grizzly bear, even though grizzlies were wiped out in the state, with the last confirmed sighting in the 1920s.

Does the Library of Congress own a Gutenberg Bible?

The Library of Congress owns one of only three perfect surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible printed on vellum, a type of animal skin parchment.

How did the Magna Carta influence the US?

The Magna Carta's ideas about due process and limits on government power influenced the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Who owns a Magna Carta copy in the US?

Businessman David Rubenstein bought a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta for about $21.3 million in 2007 and put it on display at the US National Archives.

How did a moldy cantaloupe help produce penicillin?

In 1943, scientists in Peoria, Illinois, found a moldy cantaloupe with a strain of penicillin mold that produced far more of the drug, which helped make mass production possible.

Who was the first American civilian saved by penicillin?

In 1942, Anne Miller became the first American civilian saved by penicillin when it cured her of a life-threatening infection.

Which US territory first gave women the vote?

Wyoming became the first US territory to give women the right to vote, in 1869, more than 50 years before the 19th Amendment.

What was the Seneca Falls Convention?

The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention in New York was the first women's rights convention in the US, and it launched the American women's suffrage movement.

What was the first licensed pizzeria in the US?

Lombardi's in New York City, which opened in 1905, is widely considered the first licensed pizzeria in the US.

How did pizza become popular in the US?

Pizza exploded in popularity in the US after WWII, partly because American soldiers who had served in Italy came home craving it.

What is the most popular pizza topping in the US?

Pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping in the US, and pepperoni itself is an Italian American creation rather than a traditional Italian food.

Who claims to have served the first hamburger?

Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, claims to have served the first hamburger in America in 1900, though several other places dispute that title.

Who invented the cheeseburger?

Lionel Sternberger of Pasadena, California, is often credited with inventing the cheeseburger in the 1920s by adding a slice of cheese to a hamburger.

When was Kraft Macaroni & Cheese introduced?

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was introduced in 1937 during the Great Depression as a cheap, filling meal that could feed a family.

When is National Taco Day?

National Taco Day is celebrated in the US on October 4.

Where did Southern fried chicken come from?

Southern fried chicken developed from a mix of Scottish frying traditions and West African seasoning and cooking techniques brought by enslaved people.

Where was the ice cream cone popularized?

The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.

What is the most popular ice cream flavor in the US?

Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the US.

Where was the ice cream sundae invented?

Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and Ithaca, New York, both claim to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae.

Was the Toyota Corolla ever built with GM?

The Corolla was built alongside GM cars at the NUMMI joint-venture plant in Fremont, California, which later became Tesla's factory.

Where are Toyota Corollas built in the US?

Since 2019, Toyota has built Corollas at its plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi.

What is the best-selling truck in the US?

The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling truck in the US since 1977 and the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the US since 1981.

Where is the Ford F-150 built?

The Ford F-150 is built at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan and the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri.

What was the Volkswagen Golf called in the US?

The first-generation Volkswagen Golf was sold in the US and Canada as the Rabbit.

Is the regular Volkswagen Golf still sold in the US?

Volkswagen stopped selling the standard Golf in the US after 2021, but still sells the sportier GTI and Golf R.

How did the Ford Model T help set the steering wheel on the left?

The Ford Model T's left-side steering wheel helped make left-hand drive the standard in the US.

Where is the Honda Civic built in the US?

Honda builds the Civic at its plant in Greensburg, Indiana.

What is the best-selling car in the US?

The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in the US for most years since 1997.

Where is the Toyota Camry built in the US?

Toyota has built the Camry at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, since 1988.

Is the Toyota RAV4 the best-selling SUV in the US?

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in the US.

What are US dollar bills made of?

US dollar bills aren't really paper. They're made of 75% cotton and 25% linen, which is why they survive the washing machine.

What is the largest refracting telescope?

The 40-inch refracting telescope at Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin, completed in 1897, is the largest refracting telescope ever used for astronomy.

Who taught Boston about smallpox inoculation?

An enslaved man named Onesimus taught Puritan minister Cotton Mather about smallpox inoculation from West Africa, and Mather promoted it during Boston's 1721 outbreak.

When was the first phone book published?

The first phone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1878 and listed only about 50 names.

When was the first coast-to-coast phone call?

The first transcontinental phone call was made in 1915, when Alexander Graham Bell in New York called Thomas Watson in San Francisco.

When were area codes created?

US telephone area codes were created in 1947 to make long-distance dialing easier.

What was the first commercial radio station?

KDKA in Pittsburgh made the first commercial radio broadcast on November 2, 1920, reporting the presidential election results.

Which teams played the first international cricket match?

The first international cricket match was played between the US and Canada in New York in 1844.

Who invented volleyball?

William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and originally called it "Mintonette."

Is field hockey mostly played by women in the US?

In the US, field hockey is mostly played by women.

Who wrote the first modern baseball rules?

Alexander Cartwright and the New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club wrote rules in 1845 that shaped modern baseball.

Which country won Olympic rugby gold in 1920 and 1924?

The US won Olympic rugby gold in 1920 and 1924.

What does "Six Flags Over Texas" mean?

"Six Flags Over Texas" refers to the six countries that have ruled Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States.

Can Washington, DC residents vote for president?

Washington, DC isn't a state, and its residents couldn't vote for president until the 23rd Amendment was ratified in 1961.

What is the most popular fresh fruit in the US?

Bananas are the most popular fresh fruit in the US by amount eaten.

Who was Johnny Appleseed?

Johnny Appleseed was a real man named John Chapman who planted apple nurseries across the American frontier. His apples were mostly used to make cider, not for eating.