Friday, 13, February, 2026

World Dog Surfing Championship: Dogs Catch Waves on the California Coast

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World Dog Surfing Championship: Dogs Catch Waves on the California Coast
From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation
Jingle Bell
Jingle Bell

'Jingle Bells' Isn’t a Christmas Song

“Jingle Bells,” written by James Lord Pierpont and published in 1857, is one of the most recognizable songs of the holiday season, evoking images of snowy sleigh rides and Christmas cheer. Interestingly, it holds several surprising distinctions: it was the first song broadcast from space in 1965, and despite its strong association with Christmas, the lyrics never mention Christmas, holidays, gifts, or even December. Instead, the song focuses on wintertime sleighing fun, leading many historians to believe it was originally intended as a Thanksgiving or general winter song rather than a Christmas carol. Its upbeat melody and imagery of bells and snow later helped it become a seasonal favorite, even though its original purpose was far removed from holiday worship.
The origins of the song are as colorful as its history. Pierpont, who grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, a town known for sleigh races, and later lived in Savannah, Georgia, has ties to both places, each claiming the song’s birthplace. Some believe it was written in a Medford tavern and sung as a lively drinking song, while others suggest Pierpont composed it for a Thanksgiving church service led by his father, a Unitarian pastor—though the lyrics’ playful references to racing and romance may have been too bold for a Sunday school setting. Despite its eventual fame, Pierpont earned little from the song during his lifetime, and it only became firmly linked to Christmas after popular recordings in the 1940s, especially by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, cemented its place as a timeless holiday classic.
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Theme Park
Theme Park

A Functioning Theme Park... 400 Feet Underground: From Salt Mine to Theme Park

Here at Ripley's, we've uncovered attractions in some strange places... but this one takes fun to a whole new depth.
Hidden beneath the surface of Romania lies Salina Turda, an underground playground carved deep inside one of the world’s oldest salt mines. Visitors descend nearly 400 feet below Earth’s surface to explore a place where history and fun collide.
From Salt Mine to Theme Park
More than 2,000 years old, Salina Turda once produced over three billion tons of salt. Over time, the massive excavation created a cavern so enormous it could hold an entire theme park, and now, it does.
Deep below ground, visitors can enjoy:
• A full-size Ferris wheel
• Mini-golf and bowling
• An underground lake where you can row a boat
• Towering salt walls that make every activity feel otherworldly
You can reach the bottom by elevator, or take the long staircase if you’re up for the workout.
A Playground Like No Other
This isn’t just an attraction; it’s a reminder that humans have a talent for turning the unexpected into something unforgettable. What was once a working salt mine is now one of the strangest theme park destinations on the planet. Would you visit?

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From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet
Hot Dogs
Hot Dogs
Hot Dogs by the Numbers: Fourth of July Traditions

Every Independence Day, Americans celebrate freedom with food, consuming 155 million hot dogs in a single day-enough to stretch from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles five times.
From backyard grills to baseball games and street carts, the hot dog has become a true Fourth of July icon.
Loved nationwide, it stands as a symbol of summer, tradition, and all-American celebration.

America’s passion for hot dogs is best told through numbers.
Baseball fans eat 20 million hot dogs annually at ballparks, while Los Angeles alone consumes 39 million, more than any city in the world.
During “hot dog season,” Americans devour 7 billion hot dogs, averaging 800 every second.

This love affair also fuels big business and big events.
Americans spend $8.5 billion each year on hot dogs and sausages in supermarkets alone.
And at the pinnacle of hot dog fame, 40,000 fans gather at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island every Fourth of July.
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