The Oregon Trail (1840-1860), the route used during the westward migrations of the United States, started in Missouri and ended in Oregon and was about 2,000 miles long.

The dense globules of gas from which stars are born are much larger than the stars they will form. In the Orion nebula, globules have been detected which are 500 times larger than the solar system.

George I, king of England from 1714 to 1727, could neither speak nor write the English language. He had no desire to learn the language of his new country, and made no attempt to do so in the 13 years he ruled.

In England, corn means wheat. In the Bible, corn means grain.

Portuguese wine bottled in 1811 is called "comet wine." Its excellent quality is believed to be due to the Great Comet of that year. The term "comet wine" is often used for any wine made in the year of an important comet.