First public schools in America were established in the New England States about 1642.
The largest inland sea is the Caspian, between Europe and Asia, being 700 miles long and 270 miles wide.
The term "Almighty Dollar" originated with Washington Irving, as a satire on the American love for gain.
The highest natural bridge in the world is at Rockbridge, Virginia, being 200 feet high to the bottom of the arch.
The largest circulation of paper money is that of the United States, being 700 millions, while Russia has 670 millions.
The largest insurance company in the world is the Mutual Life of New York City, having cash assets of $108,000,000.
The largest empire in the world is that of Great Britain, being 8,557,658 square miles, and more than a sixth part of the globe.
The first electrical signal ever transmitted between Europe and America passed over the Field submarine cable on Aug. 5, 1858.
The longest tunnel in the world is St. Gothard, on the line of the railroad between Luzerne and Milan, being nine and one-half miles in length.
The loftiest active volcano is Popocatapetl. It is 17,784 feet high, and has a crater three miles in circumference and 1,000 feet deep.