1. Discovering America
We all heard about Columbus. He is said to discover America in 1492. But what is the truth? There is compelling evidence that the American continent was discovered around 1000 by the Vikings, who had already colonized the coast of Greenland. The first, who watched U.S. banks in 985, was Bjarni Herjólfsson who had got lost in his journey to Greenland.
What about Vikings-they were great sailors using special boats called `drakkars' which were their homes. Drakkars made of wood were used to sail on oceans and sees and also on rivers.
In 1000 Leif Eriksson, along with the 35-man crew went on a journey in search of an unknown land. The expedition landed in a rocky area, which the explorers named Hallunland - rocky country. Probably they were the Labrador coast. They left the inhospitable surroundings and sailed south and where they reached a more friendly area, where wild grapes grow up. It was called "Wine Country" (Winlandia). This was probably the area of today's state of Massachusetts. After overwintering expedition returned to Greenland. Around the year 1096 another Norman sailor, Pol Thorfin Karlsefni, organized an expedition to America with a view to colonization, but it failed. Although there is no evidence of this, it must be assumed that the Normans continued their exploratory journey through the centuries. Archaeological finds in northern Canada suggests that the Vikings could reach Hudson Bay. The most mysterious discovery related to the Norman expeditions is called Stone of Kensington. Runic inscription on the stone says that to this place in 1362, reached expedition consisting eight Swedes and 22 Norwegians. The authenticity of the findings is disputed by some scientists.
2. Coca-cola
Coca cola was invented in 1886 by J.S. Pemberton-pharmacist from Atlanta. It was his second drink based on coca leaf and kola nut. The first drink was sold 8th may 1886. Every day about nine drinks were sold. Revenues for the first year amounted to $ 50, cost $ 70. Sales in the first year resulted in the loss. To 1905, Coca-Cola contained cocaine, and large amounts of caffeine.
In 1887, a businessman and pharmacist, Asa Candler bought the formula for Coca Cola from John Pemberton for $ 2.300. Thanks to aggressive marketing of Coca Cola in the late nineteenth century in 1990 became one of the most popular beverages in America. Between 1890 and 1900 Coca-Cola Company has increased its sales by 4000%. Advertising was a very important factor in the success of John Pemberton and Asa Candler. Coca Cola was sold along and breadth in the U.S. and Canada. At the same time, Coca-Cola began to be sold in bottles.
Some interesting facts:
When China began to sell Coca-Cola, its name was written using signs that the pronunciation sounded like "Coca-Cola. " Unfortunately, that their meaning is " bite a wax toad" Sale didn't go too well.
Only a few people in the world knows all the ingredients of Coca-Cola. The concentrate is produced at company headquarters, later sent on to other branches.
A copy of the original recipe is kept in Stash's SunTrust Bank in Atlanta.
In several states of the U.S. troops have two gallons of Coca-Cola. After the accident, this drink quickly washes the blood from the road.
The company is accused of actions contrary to human rights: in Colombia, India, Turkey.
3. Curiosities about the USA
In public local transport buses, there is no ticket conductor. Also in some places you won't get any formal tickets for traveling, unless you want a day pass.
If a cop (police officer) asks you to stop while you are driving, just stop the car at the right side of the road, and wait inside. Never get out of the car. The cop may shoot you for self defense.
Never throw any kind of paper or any other waste out of your car windows. You will be fined for littering.
At fast food joints and restaurants, you would be asked if the food is for "here" or "to go?. "Here" means that food will be served in the restaurant and "to go" means that food will be packed.
When you are going to smoke, don't say, "I am going out for a fag". "Fag" in British English means "to smoke". In American English, it means a "Gay".
Do not walk or sit with arms around the shoulders of someone of the same sex. You may be mistaken to be a "a Gay" or "a Lesbian".
Here pink color shirt is normally taken as the sign of being a "Gay".