February 2008 Phenomena March 2008 Phenomena April 2008 Phenomena

Television executives are using a ’90s version of the same formula, substituting new “in-line” skates for the old “quad-style” relics, to rekindle the excitement with today’s teenage crowd - many of whom have never seen or heard of Roller Derby. And so far it’s working. RollerJam’s debut on TNN January 15 drew more than 2.9 million viewers, and was the most watched cable show during its time period (Friday at 8 p....

Africa: Rulers Australia: Prime Ministers Austria: Rulers Britain: Rulers Canada: Governors-General and Prime Ministers China: Rulers Denmark: Kings and Queens Modern Egypt: Rulers France: Rulers India: Rulers Indonesia: Presidents Modern Persia and Iran: Rulers Iraq: Rulers Ireland: Presidents Israel: Prime Ministers Japan: Rulers Jordan: Kings Mexico: Presidents Philippines: Presidents Poland: Rulers Portugal: Kings, Queens, Presidents Russia: Rulers since 1533 South America Spain: Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers Sweden: Kings and Queens Turkey: Rulers Vietnam: Rulers

At birth, a girl baby has about 400,000 immature eggs, or ova, in her ovaries. During puberty the eggs begin to mature. Each month one egg ripens and leaves the ovary. It passes through a fallopian tube where, if not fertilized by a sperm, it disintegrates. The uterus, which has built up tissue and blood to make a nourishing nest for the egg, sheds its lining about a week after the egg disintegrates....

In 2005, the U.S. Mint launched another new nickel design, this time reviving an old favorite—the buffalo nickel. Buffalo nickels were minted until 67 years ago. In the original version, a picture of an American Indian appeared on one side; on the reverse side was a buffalo. (Although the animal is popularly called a buffalo, it is technically a bison.) In 1938, the U.S. mint came up with a new design for a nickel—the one which is widely circulated today—and retired the buffalo nickel....

Strict Regulations To be called a haute couture house, a business must belong to the Syndical Chamber for Haute Couture in Paris, which is regulated by the French Department of Industry. Members must employ 15 or more people and present their collections twice a year. Each presentation must include at least 35 separate outfits for day and eveningwear. Glittering Names The syndicate has about 18 members, including such fashion giants as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Pierre Cardin....

Fact Monster/Information Please® Database, © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The large hill ski jumping competition has appeared at every Olympic Winter Games since 1924. Although its height has changed through the years, it has been fixed at 120 m (394 ft) since the 1992 Winter Games. The normal hill event was introduced in 1964. Its height was set at 70 m (230 ft) and remained so until 1992, when it was moved up to its current height of 90 m (295 ft)....

Battle elephants were used by Hannibal of Carthage when he crossed the Alps to fight the Romans. Elephants with carriages on their backs were able to hold four soldiers. Hannibal’s elephant, Surus, was said to be extremely brave.Alexander the Great conquered India with the help of elephants.The Greek king Pyrrhus and his men rode elephants into battle against the Romans. Although the Greeks won, many men and elephants died. Today “Pyrrhic victory” means a victory won at great cost....