Hershey is the largest confectionery manufacturer in the United States.

Thomas Edison, the most prolific inventor of all time, holds more than 1,100 patents.

Each king in the deck of cards represents a great king from history: Spades, King David; Hearts, Charlemagne; Clubs, Alexander the Great; and Diamonds, Julius Caesar.

The Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, N.Y., opened in 1948, is the world’s largest landfill. It covers 3,000 acres and receives up to 14,000 tons of garbage a day.

South Africa leads the world in the amount of gold produced by a country annually. Italy leads the world in the amount of jewelry made using gold.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced annually within a country. Gross National Product also includes income from overseas.

Trident is the most popular brand of gum in the United States.

Vanilla is the most popular flavor ice cream, in terms of purchase, in the United States. Neapolitan is No 2; chocolate is No 4.

The first Coca-Cola was served at Jacob’s Pharmacy, a drugstore in Atlanta, Ga., on May 8, 1886, the creation of pharmacist Dr John Styth Pemberton.

According to the National Dairy Council, the Irish drink more milk per capita than any other country in the world.

Czechoslovakia was the first country, in January 1969, to make seat belt use compulsory.

Japan has the busiest rail system in the world.

The oldest amusement park in the world is Bakken, in Klampenborg, Denmark. It was founded in 1583.

With over 6 million visitors annually, Living Seas, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is the most-visited aquarium in the country.

Don Larsen was the first pitcher to throw a perfect baseball game (all nine innings without giving up a hit or walk) during a World Series. The game was New York vs Brooklyn, on October 8, 1956.

By far, the New York Yankees have won more World Series titles — 23 — than any other team. The St Louis Reds and the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Atlanta Braves share second place, with nine titles apiece.

Bay horses have won the Kentucky Derby a record 55 times. Chestnuts have won on 39 occasions and black horses only four times.

There have been only three maiden winners (horses that have not previously won a race) of the Kentucky Derby: Buchanan (1884), Sir Barton (1919) and Brokers Tip (1933).

Regret (1915), Genuine Risk (1980) and Winning Colors (1988) are the only fillies to have won the Kentucky Derby.

The United States, with 31 titles, has won the Davis Cup Tennis Tournament more than any other country.

With over 4 million visitors annually, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Zoo (Tampa, Fla.) is the most-visited zoo in the country.