Spice or Herb?

The traditional distinction between spices and herbs is one of location. If it grows in the tropics or subtropics, it’s a spice. But if it grows in the temperate zone, which includes most of Europe and the United States, it’s an herb.

The use of codes and ciphers is as old as history itself. But today’s secret writing is much more complex than that used in ancient times. Julius Caesar, for example, used a simple substitution code. Each letter in a message was replaced with one that was three letters further on in the alphabet.

U.S. President John Quincy Adams bought a chess set and a billiard table while in office. His political opponent, Andrew Jackson, made much of the purchase during the next presidential election, claiming that Adams had installed “gaming furniture” in the White House at public expense. Jackson’s ensuing victory was substantial with 178 electoral votes to Adams’ 83.

At the Olympic games of 1896, held in Athens, the United States had no official team. But its athletes won nine of the 12 track and field events. The remaining gold medals went to Great Britain (2) and Greece (1).

The moon has a diameter of 2,160 miles.