People Share What They Think Is GOOD About the United States

I’ve been lucky to travel a lot in my life and I’ve been overseas a few times.

I totally understand why there is anti-American sentiment around the world (and here at home) because of some of our policies and our terrible leaders, but I really do believe that we live in a great country and there are many positives about the U.S.

We just have a lot of work to do and we’re gonna get there together!

Here’s what people on AskReddit had to say regarding what’s good about the United States.

1. From an international student.

“I’m an International student in the USA from a 3rd world country. It’s basically a different universe. Everything is so cheap when you earn in dollars.

Large convenience stores like Target or Walmart are (as the name suggests) incredibly convenient. Electricity is dirt cheap. Amazon packages can arrive in 2 days. High school system (from what I gathered talking to friends) facilitates students pursuing specific interests, while higher education also gives enough flexibility to do a complete 180.

Public transport (where it exists) is great. People are incredibly diverse. Idk, the USA has a lot going for it.”

2. It’s HUGE.

“The size of the US is what makes it so diverse . I’ve lived in the Deep South (AL, MS) and the total opposite northwest areas (Colorado ,Washington state)

If anyone has visited multiple regions it’s so easy to realize how night & day the cultures and customs can be. Yet we are all Americans.

And people wonder why all of America can’t agree on anything (politics, etc.) It’s all perspective…”

3. Welcome!

“As someone who has visited both the northwest and southeast, you Americans sure know your hospitality and how to make tourists feel welcome.

Your rollercoasters and theme parks are great, your love for bubble gum and cinnamon flavored treats is endearing, and your forests, mountains and national conservation areas are magnificent!

Oh, and despite them being unfashionable gas gulpers, I have a weak spot for classic American muscle cars.”

4. Well, that’s good.

“Years ago I stayed a few nights in a relative’s house on Long Island New York.

In their back yard they had a long low fridge. Inside this fridge were loads of cans of beer.

There was no lock on this fridge. Nobody hopped the fence and stole it.

They also had a scarecrow and various other Halloween things out the front of the house.

Nobody stole or destroyed this stuff!

Having lived all over Dublin I was shocked.”

5. So much shit…

“The US has so much shit. Great National parks, good music in all tastes, video games, technology, food.

Many cities that could be the capital in most countries. All those skyscrapers, all sorts of neighbourhood’s.

The US can literally define a generation. People in other countries use US definitions. E.g. Baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Z. Count yourselves lucky because other regions have next to nothing (economically).”

6. Very true…

“There are not many countries out there where you can openly mock the president and criticize their every move and not have the slightest fear of reprisal.”

7. Neighbors to the north.

“My experience as a Canadian is that Americans are generally chill, friendly people and are very approachable. I have long felt more comfortable talking to strangers there than in my own country.

Canadians can be very passive aggressive and reserved, while Americans as a generalization like to chat with strangers. I’ve seen that no matter what state I’ve visited. Customer service is also a million times better in the US than in Canada, whether it be at a restaurant or even Walmart.

I get tired of fellow Canadians dumping on the US just because they don’t like the current president. The country is the sum of all its people and not who’s in the White House at this moment.

I’m looking forward to visiting your country again once Coronavirus slows down. I had hoped to do some US travel this year; at least I got one trip in before the pandemic got bad and our land border closed.

Also, you guys produced Seinfeld.”

8. Interesting.

“The fact that as a woman of color, while I do experience racism, the bulk of people stand up when they see something wrong or unjust.

I may not be this lucky in a lot of other places.”

9. Be optimistic!

“I love my European bothers and sisters dearly, but you are a cynical bunch.

American optimism may not be based completely in reality but I believe to my core it has contributed to success in life.”

10. Our principles.

“I love that that one of our founding principles (life liberty and pursuit of happiness) are still our goals as a people. We still haven’t figured out how to do it right, but damn if everyone doesn’t fight for those rights every chance they get.

Our nationality is a concept, not a race. I guess that’s true of other countries in a way, but it feels so much more here. You could have a someone, say, with Sioux heritage, someone with Chinese heritage, someone with Dominican heritage, and someone with British heritage standing next to each other and they’re all American. And they all want to be treated with respect and dignity and believe that this country should stand for that.

We have a really awful history of not following up on our founding principles, but I think every population within the US fights for those principles and agrees on them as a concept. We differ on the exact interpretation, sure, but generally – we agree that America is a place where people should be free, respected, and able to build the life they want for themselves. I’m not saying it always happens, but I am saying that’s what holds us together.

While we don’t have our shit figured out with how we treat one another, we’re all in this country and we all are demanding to be treated justly and fairly like scrappy little revolutionaries.

11. The ultimate melting pot.

“It’s such an INCREDIBLY diverse place.

So many people from all walks of life, but I also love the thought of places like Chinatown, where you can get a real taste of a different culture and you don’t even need to get on a plane.”

12. An ongoing experiment.

“Nature, national parks and their protections

All kinds of music, including jazz, pop, … all one big continuous experiment. It’s nice.”

13. Fairly stable.

“Strong input in the arts. Americans, or their corporations, make high or old culture accessible for the masses.

Disney has adapted many old stories, legends and fairy tales to modern times. The US comic book culture has created new heroes that are loved almost universally (Spider-Man, Superman, Batman).

You have a fairly stable constitution of the country. In the almost 250 years you exist you have seen one Civil War. Compare this to the rest of the world in the same time frame and your Civil War looks like a bar fight.”

14. Abundance.

“We have an absolutely incredible amount of living space that just sits there unused, and we’ve had one of the luckiest startup locations in human history.

Abundance is very American. We can afford it.”

15. It’s true.

“At the end of the day. It is still one of the best places to have an opportunity for success. People like to shit in the US, meanwhile people waiting for their visas and looking for ways to migrate.

And the food. LA, NY, SF. Whatever kind of food you’re craving for, there’s a good restaurant out there.”

Okay, let’s hear from all of you.

Tell us what you think is good and positive about the U.S.

Talk to us in the comments!

The post People Share What They Think Is GOOD About the United States appeared first on UberFacts.

Here’s the Story Behind “OK” and “Okay”

There are certain grammar and word usage rules that just don’t stick…

Maybe you always had trouble with their, there and they’re. Or loose and lose. Or complement and compliment.

One of those tricky little pairs is OK vs. okay.

Why are there two different spellings of seemingly the same word? They both mean the same thing, so what gives?

Legend has it that OK actually came first. It’s an abbreviation that comes from the phrase “oll korrect,” aka the lazy man’s funny 19th-century spelling of “all correct,” as in, “Everything is A-OK!”

Photo Credit: Pexels

But the history of this little phrase goes even deeper than. President Martin van Buren helped popularize the use of “OK” during his re-election campaign in 1840. He grew up in Old Kinderhook, New York, and went by the nickname “Old Kinderhook,” so the abbreviation OK was a fitting nickname.

He lost the election, ultimately, but ended up having a huge impact on the English language as we know it today. “Okay” is just another variation on this abbreviation.

Cool, huh?

And as far as using the two variations, you can really use them interchangeably, however and whenever you like. Contrary to popular belief, “okay” is not a more formal version and you don’t need to worry about rubbing someone the wrong way by saying, “OK” instead.

What words or grammatical rules always trip you up? Are there any words you regularly misspell?

We’d love to hear from you!

Let us know in the comments!

The post Here’s the Story Behind “OK” and “Okay” appeared first on UberFacts.

Statues Nobody Will Ever Tear Down Because They’re Awesome

We’re going through a time of reflection brought on by the protests of Black citizens of the racism they face by law enforcement and in all areas of their everyday lives.

As we strive to have meaningful conversations about race, one of the casualties of the Black Lives Matter movement has been the statues of Confederate generals and early explorers like Christopher Columbus. There are further calls to keep toppling statues until every reminder of racism is removed from sight.

So is any statue safe? Sure!

On Twitter, author and historian James Barr asked a provoking question about the value of statues occupying public parks and streets. He got plenty of answers.

Here are 12 statues everyone seems to like.

1. Tokyo

A life-size Gundam!

2. Dublin

The Famine statues were presented to the City of Dublin in 1997.

3.  Sheffield, United Kingdom

Bronze sculpture by Martin Jennings that remembers the women of Sheffield who worked the steel factories during WWI and WWII.

4. Norway

By Gustav Vigeland. The babies are evil spirits.

5. Vancouver

Terry Fox was a Canadian athelete and amputee who ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

6. Vaxjo, Sweden

Whacking Neo-Nazis!

7. New York

By artist Paige Bradley to show a figure disconnecting herself from attachments.

8. London

Mary Seacole was a Black woman who traveled the world and helped people in need. She was best known for her work as a nurse during the Crimean War.

9. University of Maryland

Jim Henson and Kermit The Frog sit on a bench in front of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union Building deep in conversation.

10. Sao Paulo

Commerating Brazil’s essential workers.

11. Denver International Airport

Blue Mustang. Also called Blucifer. Actually killed his creator, Luis Jiménez.

12. Seaham, Co. Durham

Great War soldier by artist Ray Lonsdale.

Just as there are statues that commemorate people who are no longer considered heroes in the current context, there are many more honoring the lesser known men and women who changed the world in valuable ways. Other statues are artistic works and we need art to make us look at life in different ways.

Our history may be considered a source of misery, but we also need to remember the ones that made it as beautiful as they could–and still do. May we learn from them.

The post Statues Nobody Will Ever Tear Down Because They’re Awesome appeared first on UberFacts.

Memes About the 1990s That Should Make You Feel Very Nostalgic

When it was happening, I didn’t think the 1990s were a great time to grow up, but in hindsight, it was pretty awesome.

Good music, good movies, good TV shows, and the world wasn’t totally on fire yet. At least for the most part.

Looking back on it, that decade really does seem like a more innocent time and I, for one, miss those days.

Let’s enjoy some memes about that glorious decade that will make you sit back and remember the good old days.

1. Oh, I remember…

I remember it well…

Photo Credit: someecards

2. Frozen pizzas were LIFE.

Now I’m craving one of these bad boys.

Photo Credit: someecards

3. Name the movie!

This just screams “early ’90s” to me.

Photo Credit: someecards

4. Did you play this game?

It seemed like it always ended that way.

Photo Credit: someecards

5. It sure has come a long way.

The old days were a little rough.

Photo Credit: someecards

6. It can’t be!!!!

Crazy how time flies.

Photo Credit: someecards

7. That was bad advice.

And this needs to be corrected!

Photo Credit: someecards

8. This happened to me SO many times.

And, if you were playing outside, sometimes you got mud on your face from the ball. Good times!

Photo Credit: someecards

9. That was the ultimate burn.

Hard to come back from that one.

Photo Credit: someecards

10. Time to start crying.

Sorry…we had to…

Photo Credit: someecards

11. Nice and colorful.

Just a little bulky, though.

Photo Credit: someecards

12. You had to!

But did it ever work, though?

Photo Credit: someecards

That was a fun trip down memory lane!

Now we want to hear from you.

What are some of your favorite memories from the 1990s?

Talk to us in the comments and tell us what you think!

The post Memes About the 1990s That Should Make You Feel Very Nostalgic appeared first on UberFacts.

Great Facts That We Think Will Impress You

It takes a lot to impress people with all the information we’re bombarded with on a daily basis.

But our fact sets have gained a reputation as solid, interesting, and dependable because we do our best to cultivate the most interesting things out there.

We love to give you the good stuff!

And here’s another set of facts that we’re confident will impress you mightily.

Enjoy these 10 facts and feel free to share them with your family and friends!

1. That’s why they’re called that?

Did you know that?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1

2. Join the club, Mr. Jefferson.

So many people have this fear.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

3. Meteor town.

This is really cool.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

4. Never been one case.

Light it up and puff, puff, pass!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

5. This makes sense.

Does this fact describe YOU?

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1

6. Flatter than a pancake.

It’s true! Here’s the proof!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

7. A total accident.

Thankful for this mistake.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

8. They were this close.

Imagine what the world would be like.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

9. Ancient warnings.

Going back centuries.

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

10. Another reason to like them!

They really are great dogs!

Photo Credit: did you know?

Source 1 Source 2

Color me impressed!

Okay, now we want to hear from all the readers out there.

In the comments, please share something that you’ve seen or learned lately that has impressed you.

It could be a fact, an article, a story, etc.

Thanks in advance!

The post Great Facts That We Think Will Impress You appeared first on UberFacts.

If You Remember the 1990s, These Posts Are for You!

Growing up in the ’90s was the last real era where everyone wasn’t connected to the whole world every second of the day.

No cell phones or social media meant that you had to venture out on a Friday night and just see what was happening and hopefully you’d run into your friends and happen upon something fun.

Things are so different now that it’s sometimes hard to fathom what it was like.

It really was a great time!

Are you ready for some major 1990s nostalgia?

Let’s do it!

1. What a letdown that was!

And it happened all the time…

Photo Credit: someecards

2. Definitely a simpler time.

Can we go back to that, please?

Photo Credit: someecards

3. No shit…

That makes me feel very old…

4. Times have changed…

Enough with the gym videos!

5. I remember it well!

It was all about baggy EVERYTHING.

6. I think she’s losing her mind.

But at least he’s entertaining!

7. It would really be nice if this was normal again.

Think we can make that happen?

8. What does the 8-ball say?

Your fate was in the hands of the 8-ball…

Photo Credit: someecards

9. This is very interesting.

Wait, what?

10. A totally different ballgame.

Let kids be kids!

Photo Credit: someecards

11. A lot of legwork.

And that was just the beginning…

Photo Credit: someecards

The nostalgia just came flooding back in a major way.

How about you?

What are some of your favorite memories of the 1990s? The music, the clothes, the movies, THE HAIR?

Talk to us in the comments!

The post If You Remember the 1990s, These Posts Are for You! appeared first on UberFacts.

Vintage Parenting Photos That Would Probably Get Parents in Big Trouble If They Happened Today

I have three older siblings, so by the time my parents were raising me, they were less strict with me than they had been with all of them.

That’s a win for me!

Why?

Because I was allowed to get away with much more than they did and my parents weren’t as hung up on everything like they had been previously.

Parenting changes throughout the years and what one generation did is looked down upon by the next group of folks as dangerous and reckless.

We have a feeling that these old-school parenting photos would get these moms and dads in a whole lot of trouble if they were to happen today.

Let’s take a look…

1. That looks safe.

A girl and her bear.

My mother-in-law riding a bear at 2 years old from pics

2. Oh, boy…

Not good at all.

Back in the day. 1950s to be exact. Checkout that car seat. from pics

3. Have some fireworks.

Oh, the kid will be fine!

My dad showing off his parenting skills 1985 from OldSchoolCool

4. This is amazing!

And it was the NINETIES! We’re not talking about 1975 here…

Me back in 1991 just your typical Aussie kid drinking XXXXlight beer(I wasn’t aloud heavies back then) and holding a baby crocodile! from OldSchoolCool

5. What’s that smell?

Definitely in the 1970s.

California marijuana initiative rally 1972. That’s me in the box and my parents in the picture. from OldSchoolCool

6. Kicking back with a cigar.

And looking very cool.

Me again, 1958, relaxing after my bath with Toby, I was never again this cool from OldSchoolCool

7. That looks very dangerous.

It’s a loooooong way down.

My mother and grandmother demonstrating safety standards in the 1960s. from OldSchoolCool

8. Just a little sip.

Of the hard stuff!

13 y/o Dad having a taste while the grownups are busy playing cards; upstate New York, August 1954 from OldSchoolCool

9. The Tiger King.

Your mom is right about this one.

Just A Photo of Yours Truly (at 11 yrs.) Petting a Full Grown Tiger. My Mom Calls it Her "Bad Parenting Moment" from pics

10. Get that kid a helmet!

This won’t end well.

A couple ice skating with their baby, 1937 from OldSchoolCool

11. Father and son.

Smoke ’em if you got ’em!

A photo of me dressed up as my Dad, with my Dad (1982) from OldSchoolCool

12. Have a drink on me, kid.

Bellied up to the bar.

Infant me, my mother & father at a bar because that’s how parents rolled in the early ’80s from OldSchoolCool

13. This is great.

Safety first!

The pinnacle of parenting: 1930s swimming lesson. from WTF

14. This is crazy!

What were they thinking?!?!

Car seat safety in 1958. Not strapped in to anything, these seats relied on the mother to put her arm out and stop the baby from falling forward. from OldSchoolCool

Okay, now we want to hear from you!

In the comments, tell us about the way you were raised.

Or tell us about how you’re raising your own kids these days.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Thanks in advance!

The post Vintage Parenting Photos That Would Probably Get Parents in Big Trouble If They Happened Today appeared first on UberFacts.

These Photos Look Like Accidental Renaissance Art

This is very interesting

Sometimes, great art is accidental, what else can you say? You point and shoot your camera and you get something you totally weren’t expecting.

And that’s definitely the case with these wonderful photographs.

They may have all been taken recently but what they capture looks like accidental Renaissance paintings.

They’re really very remarkable.

If you want to explore more photos like this, head on over to the Accidental Renaissance page on Reddit.

Let’s dive into these pics!

1. At least six feet away.

A sign of the times.

The Modern Plague from AccidentalRenaissance

2. Wow. Very sad and timely.

Definitely looks like a painting, don’t you think?

Volunteers from Red Cross in Bergamo, Italy, checking up on a 88yo women suspected to have covid-19. Photo: Fabio Bucciarelli from AccidentalRenaissance

3. A beautiful photograph.

This young person is full of fire.

A young man, illuminated by mobile phones, recites a poem while protestors chant slogans calling for civilian rule, during a blackout in Khartoum, Sudan from AccidentalRenaissance

4. We need some peace.

Can’t we all have an olive branch right now?

Italian nurse holding olive branch from AccidentalRenaissance

5. Her two beautiful children.

Well, close enough…

Venus and her fallen children / 1495 Italy from AccidentalRenaissance

6. This is a great shot.

The whole world needs to be disinfected right now.

The disinfector arrives from AccidentalRenaissance

7. Time for a snooze.

We all need some downtime.

da Vinci’s "Downtime of the Essential Overworker" from AccidentalRenaissance

8. A break amidst the chaos.

I love the colors in this one.

A Woman Reading from AccidentalRenaissance

9. This kid is over it.

Oh, the humanity!

Took a picture of my son bored out of his wits by the lock down. Turned out to be my first picture worthy of this sub! from AccidentalRenaissance

10. The mighty horse.

In all its glory!

Horse Worship from AccidentalRenaissance

11. This is amazing.

Jesus is on the move.

the decent of Christ from the cross in the Italian city of Taranto from AccidentalRenaissance

12. I’ll be what I am. A solitary man.

I love the light coming through the window.

Study of a man in isolation from AccidentalRenaissance

13. The Pope taking public transportation a dozen years ago.

A man on the move.

Pope Francis circa 2008 from AccidentalRenaissance

Those are pretty great.

Now we want to hear from you!

In the comments, please share your own photos that you think look like accidental Renaissance art.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

The post These Photos Look Like Accidental Renaissance Art appeared first on UberFacts.

Modern Photos That Are So Good They Look Like Renaissance Paintings

Have you ever snapped a picture on your camera or your phone that you thought was so impressive, it almost looked like a painting?

That’s exactly the case with these beautiful photographs that were all taken in recent years but somehow ended up looking like Renaissance art.

They’re really awesome and I think you’re going to be blown away!

Photos like this are collected on a Reddit page called Accidental Renaissance.

They are quite impressive! Let’s take a look.

1. A classic portrait.

One question: what’s on his head?

My grandfather looking like a classic portrait from AccidentalRenaissance

2. That’s a great photo.

It looks like time stood still there.

Sunset by the Canal.. from AccidentalRenaissance

3. It’s all about the light.

Definitely a Renassaince photo.

A photo of my friend – the light just hit right… @matthew.robin from AccidentalRenaissance

4. The hand is all you need to see.

Doesn’t that look familiar?

Found in a hostel in Florence from AccidentalRenaissance

5. A tragedy unfolding before our eyes.

I hope he got that sandwich back…

The attempted salvage of the post Oktoberfest Döner from AccidentalRenaissance

6. Take good care of him.

Taking the late subway home.

The Death of Adrian from AccidentalRenaissance

7. What a beautiful pic.

The colors are wonderful.

Took this photo last year in Khan El-Khalili in Old Cairo, Egypt. Sorry not right dimensions but I hope that it fits here. from AccidentalRenaissance

8. Wow. That is amazing.

And it looks very dangerous.

Found in r/HeavySeas from AccidentalRenaissance

9. The end of a long day.

The bride deserves a drink, okay?

The bride after dark from AccidentalRenaissance

10. Weddings always take a toll on people.

Have another drink. You’ll need it.

The Aftermath of the Wedding from AccidentalRenaissance

11. Everyone still needs to eat.

A lonely food cart…

Hunger doesn’t stop for a pandemic. from AccidentalRenaissance

12. This photo is kind of terrifying.

But very beautiful.

Easter in Spain from AccidentalRenaissance

13. That doesn’t even look real.

A painting come to life.

Uncertain, Texas from AccidentalRenaissance

14. A perfect example of what we’re talking about.

Just take it all in.

The night before the wedding from AccidentalRenaissance

Aren’t those awesome?

Have you ever taken any photos that you think look like accidental Renaissance art?

If so, please share your photos with us in the comments.

Please and thank you!

The post Modern Photos That Are So Good They Look Like Renaissance Paintings appeared first on UberFacts.

This Woman’s Bra Cup Design Turned into the Popular N95 Mask

Sometimes, the best innovations come out of nowhere. In the case of the N95 mask, that’s exactly what happened.

This particle-filtering mask has become even more popular due to the coronavirus pandemic. Due to its ability to block out 95 percent of airborne particles, it’s a staple in surgeries and other medical areas.

However, did you know the inspiration for the N95 mask came from a woman who originally designed a bra cup?

Meet Sarah Little Turnbull.

Turnbull worked for the 3M company back in the late 1950s. During that time, she worked with Shapeen, which is a non-woven material made of polymers typically used for decorative ribbons. She utilized this material to create the first-ever pre-made bows used for wrapping gifts during the holidays.

A true innovator, Turnbull came up with a ridiculous number of ideas. She presented 3M executives with a lengthy overview of her lineup. They liked her work enough to get Turnbull started on designing a molded bra cup.

However, with three sick family members, Turnbull spent a ton of time in medical environments. She realized that medical workers needed a better solution than the thin masks they often worked with.

So, she came up with a solution.

Mental Floss explains more:

By 1961, they introduced a non-woven lightweight medical mask based on her concept, with elastic bands instead of strings, an aluminum nose clip, and a form-fitting “bubble” shape. (The bra patent was approved in 1962.)

Though innovative, the mask couldn’t block pathogens for medical use and was marketed for dust filtration instead. An improved respirator hit the market in 1972 that was suitable for other industrial purposes. As the mask’s filtration evolved, so did its usefulness.

In 1995, the N95 respirator was introduced in the health care field, fulfilling Turnbull’s original ambition.

Sara Little Turnbull passed away in 2015. But during her lifetime, she proved to be a creative thinker who inspired a key piece of protective gear utilized more than ever today.

If you could create a new design to help fix a problem, what would it be? Tell us about your creative ideas in the comments below!

The post This Woman’s Bra Cup Design Turned into the Popular N95 Mask appeared first on UberFacts.