As an annual tradition, Google has made a video that represents all major events of 2011. Video below represents the most popular searches in Google around the world.

How the World Searched with Google’s 2011 Zeitgeist:
http://googlezeitgeist.com

Interesting Facts about Christmas

• The word Christmas is Old English, a contraction of Christ’s Mass.
• Christmas became a national holiday in America on June, 26, 1870.
• The first state to recognize the Christmas holiday officially was Alabama.
• Oklahoma was the last United States state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1907.
• In Greek, X means Christ. That is where the word “X-Mas” comes from. Not because someone took the “Christ” out of Christmas.
• “Jingle Bells” was first written for Thanksgiving and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
• If you received all of the gifts in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” you would receive 364 gifts.
• The poinsettia plant was brought into the United States from Mexico by Joel Poinsett in the early 1800′s. Contrary to common belief, poinsettia plants are non-toxic.

Poinsettia

• In 1843, “A Christmas Carol” was written by Charles Dickens in just six weeks.
• More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year.
• In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year.
• The traditional three colors of Christmas are green, red, and gold. Green has long been a symbol of life and rebirth; red symbolizes the blood of Christ, and gold represents light as well as wealth and royalty.
• Contrary to popular belief, suicide and depression rates during the Christmas holiday are low. The highest rates are during the spring
• President Coolidge started the White House lighting ceremony in 1923.
• It was estimated that the song “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide.
• Christmas shopping account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the United States.

Fun Facts about Santa Claus

• If Santa would have to visit all houses in the world, that would be 842,000,000
• Rudolph the deer was actually created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930′s for a holiday promotion. The rest is history.
• Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas of Myra, born in Patara (in modern-day Turkey), he lived during the fourth century. , he is the world’s most popular non-Biblical saint, and artists have portrayed him more often than any other saint except Mary. He is the patron saint of banking, pawnbroking, pirating, butchery, sailing, thievery, orphans, royalty, and New York City.
• Santa Claus was also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker, Bishop Saint Nicholas of Smyrna, and Nikolaos of Bari.
• In some Eastern European countries such as Russia and Ukraine, Santa called “Father Frost” (Ded Moroz). He also has a granddaughter ”Snow girl” Snegurochka. They visit houses on the New Years Eve.

Fun Facts About Christmas Trees 

• Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
• Fake artificial X-Mas trees are more popular on display in comparison to real trees.
• Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.
• Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
• The tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington. It was documented by Guinness world records.
• Traditionally, Christmas trees are taken down after Epiphany.
• President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1912
• There are approximately 21,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States. In 2008, nearly 45 million Christmas trees were planted, adding to the existing 400 million trees.
• Approximately 30-35 million real (living) Christmas trees are sold each year in the U.S.
• The earliest known Christmas tree decorations were apples.

The very first Christmas Cards 

• The first Christmas cards were vintage and invented in 1843, the Victorian Era
• The very first commercial Christmas card was created and published in London.

The very first commercial Christmas card

Mental health charity Mind help an online poll where more than hundred people shared their thoughts on Christmas depression, stress and anxiety about repaying their holiday spending.
Here is a Christmas depression statistics:
- 19 % of people felt less able to manage their mental health because of worries about paying off the cost of Christmas – 25 % were feeling depressed
- Over 50 % admitted they had spent more than they could afford on Christmas.
- 20 % will have problems meeting their rent or mortgage payments this month.
- 33 % estimated that it would take them more than six months to pay off their Christmas spending debt
- 39 % used credit cards to cover the cost of Christmas.

Mind’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer said: “Christmas is a costly time of year but it’s not just your wallet that could be hurt by excessive spending. Financial worries can have a devastating impact on mental health and can lead to serious problems such as depression and stress. People who have mental health problems are already more likely to be living in poverty, with many dependent on benefits because they are too ill to work. Worries about finances and the prospect of not being able to afford the essentials like food, heating and electricity will only add to their distress… We are concerned that the predicted credit crunch in 2008 will result in more people experiencing money worries which could have a detrimental impact on their mental health. That’s why this year Mind is launching a major new study investigating the real toll that poverty and debt has on mental health.”

However according to Mayo institute research there was not any clear correlation between depression and winter holidays found.

Reported in Medical News Today 11th Jan. 2008

http://eauk.co/tghoIr

Check out interesting facts about the most popular video sharing website YouTube.

1. YouTube owned by Google Inc
2. It is the 3rd most visited website in the world
3. 800 million unique users every month
4. The domain name YouTube.com was registered on Valentine’s Day in 2005.
5. It was created by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim, all working together at another Internet novelty, PayPal.
6. Google bought it in November 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars
7. 490 millions users worldwide (unique visitors per month)
8. Average user visits the site 14 times per month.
9. Users spend an average of 25 mins on the site each time.
10. 92 billion page views each month.
11. 2.9 billion hours spent on YouTube. That’s 326,294 years!
12. More than 400 tweets per minute containing a YouTube link.
13. More video content is uploaded to YouTube in a 60 day period than the three major U.S. television networks created in 60 years.
14. 10% of YouTube’s videos are available in HD
15. Nearly 17 million people have connected their YouTube account to at least one social service (Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, Buzz, etc
16. Over 12 million people are connected and auto-sharing to at least one social network
17. Average video duration is 2 minutes 46 seconds
18. Facebook has over 150 years of YouTube Videos watch every single day.
19. The way YouTube makes money is through advertising in and around videos
20. Music video by Rebecca Black has received millions of views, “dislikes” and has generated over one million dollars through clicks and advertisements in just under a week.
21. Advertisers spend just $2.2 billion on all online video ads, compared with $60.5 billion on television ads, according to eMarketer
22. Video giant pay out millions of dollars a year to partners
23. They are monetizing over 3 billion video views per week globally
24. YouTube will contribute 5 percent of Google’s total annual revenue in 2011, estimate by Citigroup.
25. YouTube user spends between 15 and 25 minutes a day on the site, on average
26. 70% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US
27. YouTube is localized in 25 countries across 43 languages
28. YouTube’s users are 18 to 54 years old
29. This is the very first video uploaded:

Let’s go back in history to 17-18th centuries and learn about ten interesting facts about Rhode Island when it was a Colony of the United States

1. On May 4, 1776 Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence, two months before any other state did it.

2. The colony was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams and others, in the city of Providence. Williams believed the Indians should be paid for the land. So he bought the land from the Indians.

3. Rhode Island’s major industry was agriculture such as livestock, dairy and fishing and manufacturing

4. Colony was named for “red island” in Dutch

5. The importation of slaves to the USA was first prohibited in Rhode Island in 1774

6. The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.

7. The official name of the state, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, derives from the merger of two colonies.

8. The state was also the last to ratify the United States Constitution

9. Rhode Island covers an area of approximately 1,214 square miles (3,140 km2) and despite the name is not an island but a mainland

10. Rhode Island became a state on May 29, 1790

Pictures of Rhode Island colony

William believed that Indians should be payed for their land

Roger Willims who founded Rhonde Island Colony

This is how state looked like when it was a colony

1. Blood is the bodily fluid that performs many important functions within the human body.

2. The color of blood is dark red
3. How much blood is in the human body? Human body contains approx 6 quarts (or 5.6 liters) of blood. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his body.
4. In one day, blood travels nearly 12,000 miles.
5. Human heart beats around 35 million times per year.
6. Heart pumps a million barrels of blood during the average lifetime – enough to fill three largest tankers

7. Blood is never blue, but veins appear blue because light is diffused by skin
8. Blood is involved in the transfer of glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, salts, and other nutrients from the digestive organs to the tissues

9. The blood cells present in blood are mainly red blood cells and white blood cells, including leukocytes and platelets

10. Red blood cells are the most numerous by far, making up about 40% of the total blood volume. White blood cells and platelets are much less numerous, together making up only about 5% of the blood by volum

11. What is plazma? Plasma, which constitutes more than a half of blood fluid, is mostly water (90%), and contains dissolved proteins, glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, platelets and blood cells themselves. Since plasma has none of the cellular blood parts: red cells, white cells, and platelets, – it can be dried and stored. Plasma, the fourth major component of Blood, is a sticky, pale yellow fluid mixture of water, protein and salts.

Types of blood

12. There are 8 different types of blood, which are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens – substances that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body. (Source: Redcross)

13. Eight types of blood are O -, O +, A +, A-, B +, B-, AB-, AB+.

14. O + is the most common type of blood. Next popular type is A+

15. The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood type. Only about 5% of people in the world have this type.

16. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be either present + or absent -. Usually, negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients, and same with positive.

17. Type of blood is inherited genetically from parents. As well as hair and eyes colors.

18. An idiom “Blood is thicker than water” means that the bonds of family and common ancestry are stronger than bonds between unrelated people such as friends.

Facts about donating blood

19. Where does donated blood goes? Most of donated blood goes to people with cancer, as well as people who have suffered traumatic accidents, burns or who undergo surgery. (Source)

20. The universal plasma donor has Type AB positive blood type.

21. 4.5 million Americans will a need blood transfusion each year.

Blood pressure facts 

22. The force of the blood on the walls of the arteries is called blood pressure.

23. Normal blood pressure is important for proper blood flow to the body’s organs and tissues.

24. Medical research shows that as we age blood pressure slightly rises to accommodate an increased demand of oxygen.

25. High blood pressure is when blood pressure is elevated.

26. People who have high blood pressure for most of the time have higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

27. Most cases of high blood pressure have no cure, but the overwhelming majority can be managed and controlled with diet and medication.

28. Garlic and some other vegetables and fruits is a natural way to lower blood pressure.

29. Adults must check their blood pressure regularly.

Facts about blood sugar

30. The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose present in the blood.

31. Blood sugar is our major fuel source. It consists glucose (sugar) that is essential for human body.

32. Blood sugar goes up after eating, but returns to normal range within one to two hours.

33. Blood sugar levels outside the normal range may be an indicator of a medical condition. A persistently high level is referred to as hyperglycemia ; low levels are referred to as hypoglycemia.

We hope you enjoyed reading this interesting facts about blood. Surf around our Interesting facts website to learn even more about everything!

What is a digestive system?

1. Digestive system is a series of connected organs with purpose to digest the food we eat.
2. Organs that make up the digestive tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, the colon – rectum, and anus. Body organs such as liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are also part of this important system.
3. Food is a bunch of large molecules, which the digestive system breaks down into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the blood.
4. Why my stomach is growling? It happens when the stomach receives signals from your brain to begin digestion but the there is nothing to digest. Once your brain has realized that you are low on energy (blood sugar) – it let’s your body know. Glowling almost for sure will occur when your nose smells something tasty and you are hungry. In that case your nose tells on you to the brain and brain will pass it on to digestive system.
5. After dinner is swalled it goes to stomach, that is a temporary storage and food processor. Stomach’s muscles are turning food into liquefied mixture, though some are turned into solid substance released in the small intestine in less than an hour.
6. Why stomach burn occurs? Stomach acids that rise up to the esophagus can cause it to become inflamed. In addition, it can damage the inner lining of the esophagus.
7. Enzymes are breaking down food into its individual components: protein, fat, carbohydrates, water, vitamins and minerals. Human body is absorbing them to use for energy or renew cells.
8. Protein helps to digest some foods.
9. Natural food sources such as fruits, grains, legumes, and some vegetables are called “Slow Digesting Carbohydrates”. They to keep the blood glucose levels steady and  help to regulate body fat.
10. A stomach needs to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself.
11. Why am I burping? If person rushes a meas and drink too fast then he or she is taking in lots of air that can make him burp. If he’s burping without having anything it could be a sign of decease.

We hope this interesting information and facts about digestive system convinced you of how important it it for anybody and how crucial it is to keep it healthy.

Check out the biggest list of the most amazing interesting facts about calcium.

What Is Calcium?

These interesting facts will explain why this element is so important. By the way, did you know that Calcium is actually not white?

1. It’s is a metal, shiny and silvery like other metals. It is not white powder as most people think. It is a silvery white, soft alkaline earth metal.
2. Then why tablets are white? The white coating on calcium metal is an element that has reacted with the oxygen in the air and formed calcium oxide
3. It is obtained from chalk, limestone, and marble
4. There are 179 different known uses for Ca in the human body.
5. More than 99% of total body calcium is stored in the bones and teeth
6. Bones are actually a composition of protein strengthened by deposits of Ca.
7. This important elements is essential for strong bones
8. When the body is injured, it starts the healing process by stopping a blood with a blood clot.
4. It is one of the more difficult elements for the body to digest.
5. Vitamin D is needed to absorb it.
6. It can be obtained from a variety of foods. Milk and dairy products are the biggest sources.
7. It is basic component of most plants and animals as well.
8. It is very important and sometimes even essential for people with osteoporosis, colon cancer and high blood pressure.
9. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust and makes up more than 3% of the crust.
10. Human breast milk provides all the calcium a child needs.
11. People need extremely regulated calcium level because our brains rely on it. If the level is too high or too low, our nervous system gets “nervous”
12. Dark green leafy vegetables are a much better source of calcium than milk. They have almost no fat calories
13. Caffeine is “washing away” calcium. So don’t forget to add milk or cream to your morning coffee!
14. In nature, Ca carbonate is often found in nature in caves in stalagmites
15. The element name “calcium” comes from the Latin word “calcis” meaning “lime”
16. Interesting chemistry facts about an element

Atomic Number: 20
Symbol: Ca
Atomic Weight: 40.078
Discovery: Sir Humphrey Davy Davy 1808 (England)
Electron Configuration: [Ar] 4s2
Word Origin: Latin calx, calcis: lime
Color: silvery

17. How much calcium human body needs?
Birth – 6 months: 210 mg
6 to 12 months: 270
1 to 3 years: 500
4 to 8 years: 800
9 to 18 years: 1300
19 to 50 years: 1000
50+ years: 1200 mg

Obesity in USA

Over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 and 2007–2008)

Shocking statistics about overweight in the United States:

- 68 percent of all adults in US are overweight;
- 64.1 percent of all women in US are overweight;
- 72.3 percent of all men in US are overweight;

Obesity statistics in US

- 33.8 percent of all adults in US are obese;
- 35.5 percent of all women in US are obese;
- 32.2 percent of all men in US are obese.

Obesity in UK

Government-commissioned report predicted that if no action was taken, 60% of men, 50% of women and 25% of children would be obese by 2050.

Reasons for obesity:

- Global shift towards increased intake of energy-dense-foods;
- Decreasing physical activity;
- More fast food as daily meals.

Obesity is now growing fast especially among developed countries.  It’s an interesting fact that usually, the more developed the country, the more obese people live there.

We celebrate Halloween on October 31st. Thought this is the one night of the year when ghosts, witches, and fairies are especially active.  The truth is that no one really knows the origins of Halloween.

Halloween is on the eve of a major Catholic festival, All Saints (1st November) and the eve of the pagan Celtic festival Samhain.

Where does the name Halloween originate from?

Halloween comes from All Hallow Even, the eve (night before) All Hallows day. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

Fun Halloween facts for kids

- The official Orange and Black colors of Halloween came from orange being associated with fall harvest and black symbolizing darkness and death.

- Pumpkins not only orange, they also come in white, blue and green.

- If you see a spider on Halloween, it’s believed to be the spirit of a loved on watching over you.

- The number one candy of choice for Halloween is Snickers

- Black cats were once believed to be witch’s familiars who protected their powers.

- Bats are vital natural enemies of night-flying insects.

Fun Halloween jokes for kids

What do goblins and ghosts drink on Halloween? A: Ghoul-ade
What’s a mummy’s favorite kind of music? A: Wrap!
What is the favorite health insurance for ghosts and goblins? A: Medi-Scare
What do you call a witch who lives at the beach? A: A sand-witch
Why is a ghost such a messy eater? A: Because he is always a goblin.
What do you get when you cross a black cat with a lemon? A: A sour puss.

The most popular Halloween outfits

- Most popular Halloween costumes for kids are Princess, Witch, Spider-Man, Pirate, Pumpkin, Vampire, Disney Princess, Star Wars Character, Tinker Bell, Batman.

- The most popular Halloween costume for adults are Witch, Vampire and Pirate.

Buy popular kids Halloween costumes on Amazon