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From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation

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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Train

Swiss Break Record with 1.2-Mile-Long Passenger Train

The Swiss have commemorated the 175th anniversary of their first railway by launching a record-breaking 1.2-mile-long passenger train consisting of 100 cars.

Weighing 2,990 tons, the extra-long train was comprised of 25 smaller “Capricorn” electric trains, traveled approximately 15 miles from Preda to Alvaneu along a UNESCO World Heritage route in eastern Switzerland on October 29, according to CNN. The area is renowned for its plunging hills, switchbacks, viaducts, and tunnels.

Chugging Along
During the hour-long excursion, the train descended from 5,866 feet above sea level in Preda about 30 miles from Italy’s border to 3,279 feet at Alavneu. The route is slightly treacherous due to its sharp curves, 22 tunnels, 48 bridges, and narrow-gauge construction.

Belgium and the Dutch previously held the longest passenger train record but did so by operating their trains on standard-gauge railways on level landscapes. In contrast, the Swiss train traveled on a narrow-gauge railway in which the rails were spaced just 3.3 feet apart as opposed to the standard gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches. →

From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet

Mateo Drottz’s

Spin Class With a Violin? Meet Mateo Drottz’s Unbelievable Workout

In Henderson, Nevada, fitness trainer Mateo Drottz is transforming spin class by pairing high-energy cycling with live violin music.
As riders pedal, soaring classical strings replace booming bass, creating a workout that feels both intense and calming.
The result is a uniquely focused experience that helps participants find rhythm, flow, and motivation.

Unlike traditional spin classes driven by loud playlists, Mateo’s violin-led sessions shift attention inward.
The music encourages presence and connection, allowing riders to move with intention rather than pressure.
This approach turns exercise into an immersive moment where effort feels expressive instead of exhausting.

For Mateo, the class is about more than fitness-it’s about confidence, community, and shared experience.
Participants come together not to compete, but to move, feel, and support one another.
Unbelievable yet inspiring, this violin-powered spin class is a perfect fit for Ripley’s Believe It or Not!.
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Referred by ripleys.com - where the world’s most extraordinary stories are discovered and celebrated.

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Watch the Trained Rats and Cats

From Nation, For Nation - Pulse of the Nation

'Jingle Bells' Isn’t a Christmas Song

Swiss Break Record with 1.2-Mile-Long Passenger Train

From Globe, For Globe - Pulse of the Planet