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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The United States has what might be called an 'intimate' relationship with the United Kingdom. At its zenith in the 18th century, the British Empire stretched over 20 percent of the world's surface and contained a quarter of the world's population... including the colonies that eventually became the United States.

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Today's Random Fact:

Windsor Castle is the largest royal home in the world. It is also the oldest continually inhabited royal residence in Britain, having been built by William the Conqueror around A.D. 1080.

The full, official name of the Tower of London is "Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of London." It is home to the Queen of England's jewels. Among the 25,578 gems is the 530-carat Cullinan diamond at the top of the Royal Sceptre, the largest part of what was (until 1985) the largest diamond ever found.

The historical King Arthur may have been Magnus Maximus, or Prince Macsen of Welsh legend, who was one of the greatest figures in Britain toward the end of the Roman Empire. He was also an uncle by marriage of the Welsh King, Coel Godhebog, who is believed to be the Old King Cole of nursery rhymes.




Bonus Fact:

There is only a 21-mile gap between England and France, and the countries are connected by the Channel Tunnel, which opened in 1994. It is the world's second longest underground tunnel; Japan's Seikan Tunnel is the first.

The UK's most remote pub is the Old Forge on Inverie, Scotland. It is 107 miles (172 km) from the nearest city, Inverness, and has no road access.

Kate Middleton is an eighth cousin seven times removed to the first U.S. President George Washington and a thirteenth cousin once removed from American World War II hero General George Patton.

"England Swings (Like a Pendulum Do)" is a 1965 country music song written and performed by Roger Miller. The title refers to Swinging London, a popular term for the progressive youth-centric cultural scene in London at the time.