Fun Facts #348-349

 Fun Fact #348

Water Wars

 In 1865,  after the bombing and capture of Fort Sumter by the Confederacy, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln mobilized 75,000 volunteers for a 3-month mission to quell the Southern rebellion. However this was criticized by Union General William T. Sherman who said: “...Why, you might as well try to quell the fires of a burning house with a squirt gun. I think this is going to be a long war–very long– much longer than any politician thinks.” Thus The Civil war began, and the first record of squirt guns was made. At first squirt guns were little more than squeeze bulbs (think the rear of a turkey baster) but over the years they have evolved into the high pressure, long range water weapons seen today. 

Fun Fact #349

Songkran

The largest squirt gun war (Songkran) is held on a yearly basis in Thailand where from April 9th to the 16th residents and tourists alike are encouraged to “wage war” on their neighbors during the hottest time of Thailand's year. It apparently makes quite the splash as 2023 drew in more than 5.1 million people to sign up becoming the nation’s largest Festival. Getting splashed with water during this time is also supposed to bring you good luck throughout the year. Please look it up its honestly wild with one German company having sent in a truck modified to be a Water War tank which sprayed crowds until it was besieged and flooded with return fire.