Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
The Dust Bowl drought was the worst in United States history, affecting 27 states—75% of the country. (Source)
Over 14 million copies of The Grapes of Wrath have been sold in the last half century. Approximately 100,000 copies continue to be sold each year. (Source)
The Grapes of Wrath has been translated into almost every world language. (Source)
Steinbeck's novel was burned in Kern County, CA, the endpoint of the Joads' journey. (Source)
Steinbeck attended Stanford University from 1919-1925, but he never earned his degree. (Source)
The Dust Bowl storms were known as "black blizzards." The worst black blizzard occurred on Sunday, April 14th, 1935. (Source)
In May of 1933, the Emergency Farm Mortgage Act gave farmers $200 million dollars to help them refinance mortgages in the face of foreclosure. (Source)