The poppy was known as the flower that grew over the graves of soldiers in the Napoleonic Wars. After World War I, the poppy sprouted in France and Belgium in lime-rich soil due to rubble.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada
Month: November 2009
Imprisoned for Not Having Health Care?
Q: Could somebody be imprisoned for not purchasing health insurance under the House health care bill?
A: Both House and Senate bills would levy a tax on persons who refuse to obtain coverage. Willfully evading that tax could result in jail time under the bill passed by the House – but not the bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee.
November 13, 2009
Hurricane activity in October for the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico was below the month’s average, which is one hurricane. There were two named storms, but neither became hurricanes.
Source: National Weather Service National Hurricane Center
November 12, 2009
Women’s rights advocate Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born on Nov. 12, 1815, in Johnstown, N.Y.
Source: Library of Congress
November 11, 2009
Designated as Veterans Day in 1954, Nov. 11 is the day Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany in 1918, ending World War I.
Source: Library of Congress
Health Care Overhaul and TRICARE
Q: Would health care overhaul efforts eliminate TRICARE health coverage for members of the military and military retirees?
A: No. This claim in a chain e-mail is false. Neither Congress nor President Obama has proposed legislation to that effect.
FactCheck Mailbag, Week of Nov. 3-Nov. 9
This week, readers sent us comments on energy costs, osteopathy and the New Jersey governors’ race.
In the FactCheck Mailbag we feature some of the e-mail we receive. Readers can send comments to editor@factcheck.org. Letters may be edited for length.
November 10, 2009
The children’s show "Sesame Street" has won 97 Emmy Awards. That’s the most Emmys won by any television show.
Source: Sesame Workshop
November 9, 2009
The Berlin Wall’s Checkpoint C (Checkpoint Charlie), where Allied forces crossed into East Berlin from West Berlin, got its name from the NATO alphabet.
Source: Governing Mayor of Berlin (Berlin.de)
November 8, 2009
Illinois produced 496 million pounds of pumpkin in 2008, the most of any state in the U.S.
Source: Census Bureau