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Niagara Falls is a famous series of waterfalls located on the border of the United States (New York State) and Canada (Ontario Province). The falls (Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls) make up the end of the Niagara Gorge. This part of the gorge has been the site of a number of crossings on a tightrope. Although theses crossings are often listed as “crossing Niagara Falls”, most crossings do not occur over the falls and have actually taken place across the gorge itself near the current location of Rainbow Bridge. Let’s find out who was the first to successfully attempt this impressive feat.
The Mayor of the City of New York (official title) is the title given to the leader of the executive branch of the local government of New York City. The office of the mayor is responsible for a number of important services in the city such as: public property, police and fire, many public agencies and city services. It is also responsible for enforcing local and state laws within the city. The mayor is elected every four years. Each mayor serves a four year term and may hold office for a maximum of three consecutive terms. The mayor of New York City is one of the most important jobs in the country, but when the office was formed in the 17th century the mayor had very limited power. Let’s find out who was the first mayor of New York City.
The National Football League (NFL) is the highest level of professional American football in the world. It was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Conference (later Association) and was renamed the National Football League in 1922. The NFL boasts a large number of non-white players, about 60-70% which is a far greater percentage than the 34% of the population of the United States, and many of these are African Americans. Unlike many other sports, black players were permitted to play at the formation of the league. Let’s find out who was the first black player to play in the NFL.
The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of government and the most powerful political position in the country. The Prime Minister must be an elected member of parliament, but is not directly elected to the position by the people. Instead, the Prime Minister is the leader of the political party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives. The position was first held on January 1, 1901 when the six British colonies of Australia joined together to form one nation. Let’s find out who was the first to take on this important role.
The Continental Army was an army formed during the American Revolutionary War in 1775. It was established by the Continental Congress in an attempt to coordinate military efforts throughout the thirteen colonies that would later form the United States of America. The army was mobilized to fight in the revolt against the rule of Great Britain. Most the army was disbanded after the Treaty of Paris ended the conflict. The remaining units were the basis for the United States Army.
The English Channel is a section of the Atlantic Ocean that separates France and England. The Channel is about 560km (350 mi) long with an average depth of 63 m (207 ft). The width of the Channel varies from 240 km (150 mi) to the narrowest section, known as the Strait of Dover, at just 34 km (21 mi). It is at this point that many remarkable crossings of the English Channel have been made, including many crossings by long distance swimmers. Let’s find out who was the first person to successfully swim across this stretch of water.
Massachusetts (full title: Commonwealth of Massachusetts) is a state located in the northeastern United States. It was one of the original thirteen colonies and officially became a state on February 6, 1788. However, the state had a governor before this date. Massachusetts was a key state in the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War. On June 15, 1780, Massachusetts ratified their state constitution which became official on October 25, 1780. It was on this date that the first governor of Massachusetts took office.
Wheaties is a brand of breakfast cereal most well known for featuring famous athlete on the cereal box. The cereal was invented in 1922 after a mixture of wheat bran was accidentally spilled onto a hot stove. 2 years later the wheat flakes went on sale as Washburn’s Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flakes. The name was changed to Wheaties after a naming contest was won by the wife of a worker at the company. The cereal was first associated with sports in 1927 when they advertised at a minor league ball park in Minneapolis and sponsored the radio broadcasts of the Minneapolis Millers. This was the first time that the “Breakfast of Champions” slogan was used. In the 1930’s the company began to display athletes on their cereal boxes.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. It has a number of important roles, such as hearing appeals from lower courts and interpreting the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court is made up of 9 justices; 1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices. The justices are nominated for their roles by the President with confirmation by the Senate. These justices remain in the position for life unless their chose to resign, retire or are removed by impeachment. This means that there are very few openings for these positions and, as of 2012, there have only been 112 justices in the long history of the Supreme Court, with just 4 female justices.
Ellis Island was an immigrant inspection station located in New York Harbor. At this facility immigrants from other nations would enter the United States and be checked for suitability and health. After they were processed at the facility they would either be approved and allowed to enter the U.S. or be rejected and sent back to the country they came from. It was the most important immigration facility in the country and processed millions of immigrants when it was in operation. The immigration facility operated from 1892 until it was closed in November 1954. let’s find out who was the first to pass through Ellis Island.