blogathon
NonFicWriMo #10: Amusement Park History – Six Flags Family
The Six Flags family is among the best-known theme parks in the United States. While Disney only has five flagship theme parks, Six Flags has twenty in the U.S. and one each in Canada and Mexico. Presently headquartered in New York City and Oklahoma City, the company has been running amusement parks for 45 years.
NonFicWriMo #9: Hallmark Holidays
Some holidays are known around the world – Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter. Some are strictly religious observances – Rosh Hashanah, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ascension Day. Others are specific to individual nations – Waitangi Day, Bastille Day, Australia Day. But in the United States, we have some unique Hallmark holidays that are not widely observed by anyone … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #8: Sphynxes
They have been called ugly, freaks, and weird – but the Sphynx cat is exactly like other cats, minus the fur. Those who claim the Sphynx is a freak have probably never met one.
NonFicWriMo #7: World War II Concentration Camps
Note: Although there are no explicit details, this topic may disturb some readers. During World War II, Hitler’s Germany established dozens of concentration camps around Europe. Some of these were solely for forced labor, but others were also extermination camps. Human beings sent to these camps were either selected for immediate death or forced to … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #6: Assistive Technology and Computers
Since its earliest days, the Internet has been a great equalizer for disabled individuals. People who would not otherwise have the opportunity to communicate, do research, and contribute their own knowledge and opinions have been able to do all these things with the Internet. But disabled people don’t necessarily access the Internet the same way … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #5: Washington Star
If the number of newspapers published in a city is indicative of how much news there is in the area, then Washington, DC should have half a dozen daily papers. Instead it only has two, the Washington Post and the Washington Times. The Post is internationally known and is generally considered to be somewhat liberal, … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #4: Dextroamphetamine
Since its first prescription in the 1930′s, dextroamphetamine has been used by a broad variety of people. Children and adults have been prescribed the drug for treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, but it has also been used recreationally as speed because it is part of the amphetamine family.
NonFicWriMo #3: SS France / SS Norway
Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the best way to get across the Atlantic Ocean was by passenger liner. Many thousands of immigrants came to America on ships like the Rotterdam and the Carpathia (the latter would become famous for rescuing survivors from the Titanic). These ships were usually utilitarian, as it was not … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #2: Deaf Education in the United States
In recent times, deafness has not been regarded as a barrier to learning, and deaf children attend mainstreamed schools and deaf schools across the country. But this was not always the case. In fact, prior to the early 19th century, deaf children received virtually no formal education. Certainly some were taught to read and write … Continue reading
NonFicWriMo #1: Giant Dippers
Since the earliest days of roller coasters, the name Giant Dipper has been used for wooden coasters across North America. Between 1924 and 1930, five roller coasters opened under this name; today, only two are still operating, both in California.