The 140-Year-Old Wonder

The World Almanac and Book of Facts celebrated its 140th birthday this year. Its longevity as a reference source for all sorts of quick facts and background information can be directly related to its excellence. It is one of the most useful books I have in my home. No library—whether public, academic, special, medical, or personal—should be without a recent copy. The paperback editions are inexpensive. It makes a good gift too.

I have no monetary connection with World Almanac Books. I pay the relatively low price for a new version every couple of years. I purchase a second copy for my son, who is a high school social studies teacher. I hope he keeps it on his classroom desk.

In order to get the most from your copy I recommend that you use both the topical table of contents in the front of the book and the comprehensive index at the back. A “quick reference” index is also included, but learning to use the full index will increase the utility of this book while it amazes you with it comprehension. An online component has been added in recent years.

What types of information will you find? There are clear world maps and photographs of newsmakers. There is a perpetual calendar that can help you determine the day of the week for events in the past as well as in the future. Other calendars will help you determine the date of Easter, Islamic holy days, Julian and Gregorian dates, leap years, and Chinese New Year. Time zones are delineated.

The History and World Countries sections are massive. Find biographies of U.S. Presidents, election results, population figures, the words to historical documents, and flag code protocols. A concise history of the world and a brief description of each nation will help you to understand the historical context of our culture. Learn about world leaders—historical to modern. Ever wonder which are the longest rivers, highest mountains, deepest lakes, or most active volcanoes? It’s in there.

Like numbers? There are vital statistics, health data, mileage between cities, numbers of eggs produced by state, attendance at worldwide theme parks, insurance data, number of licensed motor vehicles, and a dizzying array of other statistical and economic information. Learn about the fastest growing franchises, number of families in poverty, median income by race, and how much money is spent on selected items from personal income. The list of stock market record gains and losses as well as the number of bank failures will certainly be of interest in the forthcoming editions.

Interested in sports? The World Almanac has Olympic and Professional statistics to satisfy the most dedicated fans. Sports biographies are included. Championship records for most sports are inclusive. You’ll find all you want to know about NASCAR, the Olympics, college sports, and MVPs.

This book has it all—and so much more! Here’s a very random sample of items from the 2007 edition. The 2009 version is on my Christmas list.

Johnny Podres, a pitcher, was the World Series’ Most Valuable Player in 1955.

The Statue of Liberty weighs 450,000 pounds.

FDR is on record as having the most total vetoes (635).

The chances of having a full house in poker are 693 to 1.

A heat wave in the summer of 2003 was responsible for the death of approximately 35,000 deaths in Europe.

The Edo Period of Japan began in 1603 and lasted until 1867.

In 1928 Elizabeth Robinson of the United States ran 100 meters in 12.2 seconds at the Amsterdam Summer Olympics.

The Patagonian desert in Argentina is 300,000 sq. miles in area. The Sahara is more than ten times larger.

When the temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit, a wind of 15 miles per hour can make it feel like it is 19 below zero.

Nearly 85% of the land in Nevada is federally owned.

Woodrow Wilson’s portrait is on the $100,000 bill. Read The Almanac to learn why you will never see one. Read The Almanac for fun. I do.