A few weeks back we announced DC Brau’s request for submissions for their “Get Your Facts Straight” can contest. With the winners announced and their label approved, DC Brau is well on their way to getting product to the thirsty district.
We asked the Brothers Brau if they’d be willing to pass along some of the entries that were submitted. We were tickled pink with the awesome answers people picked when posed the question: what would you put on your craft beer can?
Below are some of the submissions for the “Get Your Facts Straight” competition. The following submissions were for either the Citizen Ale label or the Corruption Ale label. DCbeer (www.dcbeer.com) cannot vouch for the legitimacy of these facts. We have faith in you, dear reader, that if something smells fishy you’ll let us know. Please tell us which factoid is your favorite in the comments below.
Citizen:
“The Constitution says a person elected President must be a natural born citizen of the U.S. But 8 of the first 9 Presidents were born British citizens.”
Submitted by Jake
D.C. Residents: 5 in 10 are Black. 3 in 10 are White. 1 in 10 is Latino. 1 in 10 is Asian. 10 in 10 are freaking awesome. (U.S. Census)
Submitted by Brian
Fact: Citizens of the District of Columbia pay federal income taxes and still have no vote in Congress.
Submitted by Timothy
The Supreme Court has said, “Legislators represent people not trees or acres.” DC has more citizens than the least populous state yet has no vote in Congress.
Submitted by Tony
174 years after DC was founded, residents were given the right to vote in the 1964 presidential election.
Submitted by Alison
“To take no part in the running of the community’s affairs is to be either a beast or a god!”
-Aristotle, Submitted by Dan
In 2009, the District of Columbia was home to 599,657 people, approximately 55,000 more than the State of Wyoming.
Submitted by Bradley
Organics not what it used to be. DC residents lost their right to vote in 1801 after passing the Organic Act. Congress then took control of DC and as they say, the rest is history. Or is it?
Submitted by Sarah
“Across from the National Archives is an unmarked temperance fountain to deter people from resorting to alcohol to quench their thirst.”
“The roman soldier statues at Union Station are anatomically correct behind those shields.”
“Harry Belafonte was fired after one set, his career debut, at Lewis and Alex’s Restaurant at 12th and U Streets NW.”
“Griffith Stadium, former home of the Washington Senators, was never segregated.”
Submissions by Robert
Woodrow Wilson is the only president to live in Washington, DC after his terms in office. You can tour his former home, the Woodrow Wilson House Museum, located near Dupont Circle.
Gallaudet University began the tradition of the football huddle in the 1890s, in order to conceal their signed plays from the opposing team.
While the famous people you associate in DC may be politicians, it’s also the hometown of famous musicians like Duke Ellington, John Phillips Sousa, Roberta Flack and Chuck Brown.
Submitted by Rebekah, purloined from here
Corruption:
The United States is ranked as the 22nd least corrupt country in the world in perceived levels of public sector corruption.
Submitted by Dave, more here
Fact: Corruption can often be an easier pill to swallow with a beer in hand.
Submitted by Timothy
George Washington once said, “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation.” And by men, he meant beer.
Submitted by Alison
James Traficant, the last member of Congress to be expelled for corruption, would frequently end his speeches with “Beam me up!”
Submitted by Bradley
Networking nepotism. Larcenous lobbyists. Fact: In a 6 year term the average senator receives $1,044,000 in campaign money and that’s just above the table.
Submitted by Sarah
“As soon as it was built in 1866, the Washington City Orphan Asylum was commandeered for the state department by Secretary of State William Seward.”
Submitted by Robert
“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts… perhaps the fear of a loss of power.”
-John Steinbeck, submitted by Nick
Famous D.C. stripper and mistress, Fannie Fox, earned the nickname “The Tidal Basin Bombshell” when she once tried to flee by jumping into the Tidal Basin.
The Mayflower Hotel, often called the Grand Dame of Washington, has a long history of political trysts, including Presidents Kennedy and Clinton.
The word “lobbyist” became popular with President Ulysses S. Grant’s disdain for the interest groups who bothered him while he relaxed in the Willard Hotel’s lobby.
