April is Scottish American Heritage Month

Did you know that 61% of American Presidents are Scottish or of Scots-Irish descent? Or, that more than 100 governors of pre and post revolutionary America were of Scottish birth or descent?

I had no idea either, so we’ve both learned something new today!

Learn more surprising Scottish American political facts and much more cool stuff here.

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Here are five Sound Facts in Scottish American History that I bet you didn’t know either!

The Telephone

I’m sure you know that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in the 1870’s, but did you know that he’s Scottish?!

 

The Piano

East Lothian-born carpenter John Broadwood developed the foot-pedal method for sustaining the pianoforte’s sounded notes. He also revolutionized the instrument’s boxy design, coming up with the grand piano in 1777.

Elvis

Yes, even Elvis is Scottish, as a fan discovered when he traced his idol’s ancestors back to Lonmay in Aberdeenshire in the 1700s.

Snap, Crackle, Pop – Rice Krispies!

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg descended from Scottish Immigrants. He began working with his brother Will Keith Kellogg to develop breakfast cereals in 1897, launching the brand that would later give us Rice Krispies!

Bagpipes

Evidence suggests that contrary to popular belief, bagpipes first appeared in the Middle East, in about 1000 BC. Bagpipes even make an appearance in the Bible and the Highland bagpipe is now mass produced in Pakistan!

Source

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