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tish Trivia 0: Unknown Facts About the United Kingdom The United Kingdom is a country rich in history and culture, with a reputation for producing iconic music, timeless literature, and extraordinary art. Yet, there are many unknown and interesting facets of this country that most people are oblivious to. Here are some cold facts about the UK: The shortest war in history Do you know about the Anglo-Zanzibar War, which took place on August 27, 1896? This brief conflict is considered to be the shortest war ever recorded, lasting only 38 minutes. The root cause of the war was the sudden death of the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini, which led to a power struggle between his two nephews. It ended when the British Navy bombed the palace of the rival Sultan with shells, killing 500 soldiers and civilians, and seizing the island. The oldest public zoo The oldest public zoo in the world is in England! The London Zoo, which opened in 1828, is home to over 17,000 animals from 700 different species. The zoo's notable highlights include an outdoor Gorilla Kingdom and a Reptile House that houses venomous snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and turtles. The largest functioning clock in the world Big Ben, the famous clock tower in London, is the world's largest functioning tower clock, with a height of 315 feet. The tower is officially named Elizabeth Tower after Queen Elizabeth II and was built in 185
9. The clock mechanism alone weighs over 13 tons, and the bell (also called Big Ben) weighs 1
3.5 tons. The first Christmas Card The first-ever Christmas card was created in the UK. Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card in 1843 to save time in writing individual greetings to friends and family. It featured a picture of a family eating, along with the message, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you." Today, Christmas cards are still popular, and over
1.5 billion cards are sent in the UK every year. The world's first public transport system The world's first public transport system, a horse-drawn carriage, was introduced in London in 182
9. The concept of public transport revolutionized how people travel and paved the way for the development of the modern transport systems we know today. The Great British Cheese The UK produces some of the best cheese in the world, with over 700 varieties. Cheddar, the most famous British cheese, originated in the English village of the same name in Somerset. The UK's other well-known cheeses include Stilton, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, and Cheshire. Conclusion The United Kingdom has so much to offer beyond the usual tourist attractions. From the world's shortest war to the oldest public zoo and the largest functioning clock, these cold facts will inform and entertain you about the fascinating country.