At the top of Burj Khalifa

The history of nightwear

Today, ladies' nightwear is a big business, with numerous styles from which to choose. And probably some of us cannot imagine that there were times when specific nightwear did not exist. Yet specialized sleepwear is actually a fairly recent invention.

Provided here is a brief guide to ladies' nightwear from past to present.

Chemises

Chemises are the tunic-like garments worn in ancient cultures. By the Middle Ages, the chemise had developed into an early form of underwear. The long garments protected clothing from sweat and body oils. Chemises were much easier to clean than the outer garments, so it was common to have several chemises and rotate them between washings.

Chemises were also worn for sleeping. Both men and women used to take off their outer clothes and slept in chemises.

Nowadays men do not wear chemises any more but women do. There is a great variety of choices. They are short, light and of course sexy!

Negligees

Negligees are considered to be the first widely distributed item of ladies' nightwear. The first negligee was introduced in France in the 1700s. It was long and heavy, as were the gowns of the era.
In the 1920s they began to mirror the short satin evening dresses that were popular at that time. But only after World War II negligees were specifically designed as sexy underwear.

Women of our time like negligees a lot for their practicality and style.

Nightshirts/Nightgowns

Nightgowns and nightshirts have developed from the chemise style at the beginning of the 20th century. They are generally simple, plain shirts of different lengths.

Nightgowns vary widely in design.

In modern times, the line between negligees and nightshirts has almost been blurred. Nightgowns are mostly longer and heavier, made of cotton or flannel. Negligees are shorter and sexier, made of such fabrics like silk or satin.

Pyjamas

Pyjamas can be traced back to the 17th century in South and West Asia. By the 18th century, British missionaries had chosen this style as nightwear for men. However, pyjamas became a popular form of sleepwear for females in Western society much later, in the mid-1980s.

Now, pyjamas are available for women in a great variety of styles and colours. They are very comfortable and many ladies all over the world prefer wearing them.

The pajama style is a classic one, but there are sexy pajamas out there as well.

Lingerie Styles

Today, nearly anything can be worn as ladies' nightwear. However, many women love silk lingerie styles for their luxurious sex appeal and because they are soft, flowing and lightweight.

You can find nightwear versions of all sorts of sexy lingerie items. For instance, babydolls.

Babydolls

Babydolls are said to have been popularized by the 1956 movie Baby Doll starring Carroll Baker in the title role, which essentially marked the beginning of the enduring popularity of the style for adults.

Modern babydolls often vary considerably from the styles of the 1960s and 1970s. Babydolls from the 1950s to the early 1980s are now collectible vintage items.

The baby doll lingerie category has become very popular and the items of this style are now available in a sufficiently wide variety.

They can be translucent or even transparent that makes them look very sexy indeed.

Besides all the types of nightwear mentioned above you can probably find other clothing items to wear for sleep.

Many women like wearing a short Tee with nice panties or their boyfriends' boxers, everything depends on the taste

Relationships Ruined by the Internet

 

 The wife who found pictures of her husband's wedding to another woman at Facebook

Lynn France, a wife who suspected her husband was having an affair, foundhe was actually married to another woman through a simple Facebooksearch. All she had to do was type in the name of the woman she believed her husband, John, was seeing. The pair had been married at Disney World, no less, with France's husband dressed as Prince Charming, and his new bride asSleeping Beauty. There was like an album of 200 pictures there. Their whole wedding. She had grown suspicious when her husband began taking frequent business trips, even leaving the day the couple's newborn son came homefrom the hospital. Once, she found his passport at home when he wassupposed to be in China for business. She once caught her husband with another woman in a hotel so a girlfriend recommended checking the woman's Facebook page, where France found further evidence of the relationship and confronted her husband once more. She claims he promised he would not go through with the wedding – but it wasn't until she saw that he had, that she finally began divorce proceedings. Her husband took her children and left her without an explanation. She has not seen her sons since, who are now living with their father and his new wife in Florida. Ironically, the only glimpses of her sons now come from the Facebook page where she found his new wedding pictures. 

 The man who was flirting online with a 21-year-old bimbo... who was actually his wife

Stephanie Davies may be in her late 30s, but she learned how to chat just like a 21-year-old-girl. When she discusses Simon Oldham, she tends to use a series of acronyms and shorthand. SXH (Stupid Ex Husband) is a favorite, closely followed by BFL (Big Fat Loser). Suspicious that her husband of seven years was cheating on her, or at least capable of infidelity, she posed as a much younger - and less eloquent - woman on Facebook called Laura Willsham. And then asked Simon if he wanted to be her 'friend'. Well, Simon, 44, was certainly fooled. His replies to his newfound Facebook 'friend' were flirtatious from the off, and culminated in crude sexual suggestions. At several points he tried to arrange a meeting with his young admirer, clearly expecting a sexual encounter. Little wonder his jaw fell to the floor when his wife hit him with the news that his internet 'conquest' was actually her, furiously tapping into her own laptop and raging as she read his suggestive responses. Simon had confessed to 'Laura' that he had a wife but also another girlfriend - one, in fact, he has gone on to marry. 

The pair divorced, bitterly, just after their baby's first birthday, and eight weeks later Simon married the woman from Australia, the woman he had had an affair with and whom he had described to the fake Laura as 'disposable'. 

 The couple who got divorce after the husband was caught banging virtual prostitute in Second Life

A British couple who married in a lavish Second Life wedding ceremony is getting divorced after one of them had an alleged "affair" in the online world. Amy Taylor, 28, caught husband David Pollard, 40, having sex with an animated prostitute. The couple, who met in an Internet chatroom in 2003, are now separated. Second Life allows users to create alter egos known as "avatars" and interact with other players, forming relationships, holding down jobs and trading products and services for a virtual currency convertible into real life dollars. The couple's real-life wedding in 2005 was eclipsed by a fairy tale ceremony held within Second Life. But Taylor had subsequently hired an online private detective to track his activities: "He never did anything in real life, but I had my suspicions about what he wasdoing in Second Life." Pollard admitted having an online relationship with a "girl in America" but denied wrongdoing. "We weren't even having cyber sex or anything like that, we were just chatting and hanging out together." Taylor is now in a new relationship with a man she met in the online roleplaying game World of Warcraft. 

 The man who killed his wife of 35 years with guinea pig ornament over a Facebook love rival

Joseph Richardson murdered his wife of 35 years after learning that she was going to leave him for another man. He killed Janette by stabbing her and hitting her with a guinea pig ornament. Mrs Richardson had earlier told him she wanted to leave him for an old friend she had got in touch with throughFacebook. He had phoned his wife's friend, Graham Walker, in England, on the day of the murder and told him: 'You are going to feel like I feel in a couple of hours' time.' 
Mr Walker was said to have been distressed by the call and contacted the Richardsons' eldest daughter, Joanne Greenhill. 

Richardson had fetched two fishing knives from the garage and took the pig from his younger daughter's bedroom. During a row with his wife about her meeting with Mr Walker, she went to walk away and he hit her four or five times with the ornament. The Richardsons married in 1974 but the court heard that by last year, there were 'significant marital problems'. Mrs Richardson, who worked as a nurse in a residential home, was unhappy in the relationship and had indicated she intended to leave. She had made contact with Mr Walker and they kept in touch by calls, texts, Facebookand, on occasion, meetings. 

 The man who stabbed his estranged wife to death after she changed her Facebook status to 'single'

A father stabbed his estranged wife to death in a 'frenzied attack' after discovering she had changed her Facebook status to 'single'. Edward Richardson, 41, was high on a cocktail of cocaine and alcohol when he smashed his way into her parents' home and used a carving knife to kill 26-year-old Sarah Richardson as she lay in bed. The carpenter stabbed his wife with such force he shattered her ribs. She also suffered puncture wounds to her liver and a slashed aorta. The couple had separated three weeks before the murder after arguments about the amount of money being spent on cocaine and the father-of-two Richardson's refusal to have children with Sarah. 

 The man who was attacked with sulphuric acid for engaging in a relationship with a married woman he met online

25-year-old Awais Akram was left severely disfigured after he was targeted in revenge for his liaison with businesswoman Sadia Khatoon, whom he met on Facebook. When her husband and family found out, they got Ms Khatoon, 24, to lure the victim out of his flat, where concentrated sulphuric acid was poured over his head. He was left with 47 percent burns. The woman's brother, Mohammed Vakas, later admitted pouring the acid on Mr Akram, during a taped police van conversation with cousin and fellow conspirator Mohammed Adeel. During the attack, the men received instructions from Ms Khatoon's husband Abassi, who was in a hotel room near Heathrow with his wife. She was on the phone with the unsuspecting victim who was telling her his whereabouts. The attackers are now facing a life sentence. 

 The woman who killed her ex husband's avatar after he divorced her... virtually

A man divorced his online wife's avatar in "Maple Story", a Korean virtual world similar to "Second Life", and she, in her resulting anger, killed his character. The 43-year-old Japanese piano teacher's sudden divorce from her online husband in a virtual game world made her so angry that she logged on and killed his digital persona. The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead. The guy was so broken up about his dead character he called the police and had the womanarrested. She was charged with illegal access onto a computer and manipulating electronic data. If convicted, she could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.

 The Married man who drove 400 miles to meet a Facebook woman... only to discover it was a hoax set up by rival football fans

A married Manchester United supporter drove 400 miles for what he thought was going to be an affair with a woman he had chatted to on the internet - only to discover it was a hoax set up by two Liverpool fans he had met on holidays. Stuart Slann, 39, from Sheffield, made the trip to a remote farm in Scotland to meet a woman he had been flirting with online for weeks. But when he arrived at the house 'Emma' was nowhere to be seen. Three hours later the pranksters called him and confessed it was all a trick. They taped the conversation and put it onto video-sharing website YouTube andFacebook accompanied by an embarrassing photo. 
Mr Slann's wife, Louise, 32, then discovered that he had intended to have an affair and ended their marriage. He had met the two unnamed Liverpudlians during a holiday in Cancun, Mexico. The three spent the time arguing about their teams who are bitter North-West rivals. 
On one occasion, Mr Slann was thrown into a pool. When the Liverpool fans returned to the UK they came up with the plan to humiliate him by setting up a false Facebook account pretending to be a Scottish woman called Emma. He'd been chatting to this girl on Facebook for about a month or so. On the night she asked him to go to Scotland he was on the road for about nine hours. And then when he got to this remote farm she sent him a text to say she was still in work. Not only had he driven for nine hours, but he had to wait for about another three and a half hours for her to finish work.

 The £5million soccer player who got dumped by his wife on Facebook

Footballer Michael Chopra split with his wife of seven months after she dumped him on Facebook. Heather Swan, 24, let her husband know their marriage was over by changing her status to single on the social networking site. The former couple are now locked in a bitter war of words and the Sunderland striker, who earns £30,000-a-week, has updated his own page with the words: 'Heather will have a new number tomorrow, ha ha,' after cancelling her mobile phone contract. Their wedding at Orchardleigh House, a luxury hotel in Somerset cost £250,000. I guess money and fame doesn't free you from being dumped on the Internet. 

 The man who was so upset about his wife status changing, that had a bike incident and got into coma

Lauren Booth thought nothing of changing her Facebook profile from married to divorced. But her husband found out and shortly afterwards came off his motorbike. They had had an argument. Not a rarity in a 20-year relationship, but it was serious nonetheless. Angry and hurt, Lauren fled to cyberspace for calm and comfort. She then changed her status from married to single. After doing that an 'alert' was sent out to the internet-savvy friends, family, neighbours and strangers who track such Facebook activities. The alert announced: 'Lauren Booth has gone from married to single.' 48 hours later, when Craig went into a bar, someone came over and nudged him (the real-life version of a 'poke'). They nudged him and ruined his day by sneering: 'So, single again mate, eh, eh? Fancy going to a club then?' He went home and asked his wife if it was true that she'd divorced him online without the decency of telling him first. The day after he told her he was hurt about what she'd done on Facebook, he came off his motorbike, sustaining a serious head injury that almost ended his life. He went into coma for 2 weeks.

Weirdest Reasons To Get Fired

 The waitress who got fired because she shaved her hair for charity

Stacey Fearnall, whose father died of cancer, decided to shave her head for a cancer fundraising event. But when she returned to work at Nathaniels restaurant, where she worked as a waiter, she was laid off. The mother of two was told by her boss to go home after she refused to wear a wig. Nathaniels owner and chef Dan Hilliard defended his decision, saying the restaurant has certain standards. He prohibits male staff from wearingearrings and requires employees to keep their hair at a reasonable length. The 36-year-old waitress at Nathaniels restaurant in Owen Sound, Ont., had raised more than $2,700 for the charity Cops for Cancer in exchange for her locks. 

 The woman who was fired for updating her Facebook status

How many times have you updated your Facebook status to say "…is boring at work"? Probably at least once, though statistically that number averages at 3.4 times a week. But can you imagine getting fired for it? Because that's what happened to Briton teen, Kimberly Swann. She was summarily sacked after her boss learned -- via her updated status -- that she was "bored at work." Her boss, meanwhile, says Swann's admission of boredom revealed that "she just wasn't happy here" and thus "it wasn't going to work out." The question is, why was the boss perusing Facebook on company time? Was he, perhaps, a little bored? 

 The woman who was fired for sending emails in all caps

An Auckland accountant was sacked for sending "confrontational" emails with words in red, in bold and in capital letters. Vicki Walker, who was afinancial controller with ProCare Health, was later awarded $17,000 for unfair dismissal, and plans to lodge an appeal for further compensation. ProCare told the authorities Walker - who was fired in December 2007 after two years of employment - had caused disharmony in the workplace by using block capitals, bold typeface and red text in her emails. She had also acted provocatively in seeking to view complaints laid against her by colleagues. But Walker said they talked about a number of emails she had sent, yet used only one in evidence. The email, which advises her team how to fill out staff claim forms, specifies a time and date highlighted in bold red, and a sentence written in capitals and highlighted in bold blue. It reads: "To ensure your staff claim is processed and paid, please do follow the below checklist." 

 The woman who was fired from McDonald's because she added a slice of cheese to a hamburger

A waitress was fired after she sold a hamburger to a co-worker who asked for cheese, which she added. The fast-food chain argued this turned the hamburger into a cheeseburger, and so she should have charged more. McDonald's was ordered to pay the former employee more than 4,200 euros ($5,900; £3,660) for the last five months of her contract. The fast-food chain had argued that the waitress - who was employed at a branch in the northern town of Lemmer - had broken staff rules prohibiting free gifts to family, friends or colleagues. 

 The Vodafone employee who was fired over a Tweet to T-Mobile

Companies are clearly beginning to take their Twitter communication channel a little more seriously. For one Vodafone Hungary employee, Müller Tamás, this fact has left him unemployed. It all began when T-Mobile had issues with its mobile network in Hungary. The Vodafone competitor was having trouble connecting phone calls and to keep its customers informed, decided to use Twitter. The first tweet said: "Hungary´s T-Mobilenetwork partly down, software to blame"; then another to calm some presumably furious customers saying:
"There will be an official statement (released) about the network problem. Please be patient!"
Tamas, as a member of Vodafone's marketing staff responsible for the carrier's Twitter messages, decided it would funny to retweet T-Mobiles tweet with a dash of humor to send it on its way. The tweet said: "OK, give us a ring! ;) RT @tmobilehungary There will be an official statement (released) about the network problem. Please be patient!" Needless to say, Vodafone were not best pleased and quick to issue a statement of their own saying that Vodafone had nothing to do with this reply but it would gladly lend a helping hand to T-Mobile to fix its problem. Vodafone didn't leave it there either, the company announced that the Twitterer acted without authorization and the remark was inappropriate. 

 The waiter who was fired after leaving shift to save carjacking victim

A waiter in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who left his shift to rescue a woman being attacked by an armed carjacker was fired after the heroic effort. A 22-year-old woman was attacked by a knife-wielding man outside the 84 Thai Food restaurant in the Southland Shopping Center. Restaurant waiter Juan Canales spotted the attack and ran to help. Canales said he tackled the culprit, who police identified as Albert Means, and held him until police could arrive. However, when Canales went back to work, he said his boss terminated him. The woman he saved, Massiel Marquartdt, said she did not understand why Canales was fired. The restaurant manager said Canales may be a hero but he just wasn't that good of an employee. 

 The 120-pound model who was fired for being too fat

Model Filippa Hamilton was fired by the Ralph Lauren's clothing company for being too fat. According to her, they told her she was overweight and couldn't fit in their clothes anymore. The company released a statement saying that their relationship with Hamilton ended "as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us." The 5-foot-10, 120-pound stunner was amazed to see her body digitally distorted for Ralph Lauren Blue Label. Hamilton, 23, worked for Ralph Lauren since about 2002 and considered the company like a second family - until she was bounced.

 The judge who was fired over texting during hearings

Most assume unrestrained texting is a juvenile problem. At the Marion County Juvenile Court, where camera phones are banned, it isn't just troubled teens with busy fingers but a magistrate caught breaking the rules. Magistrate Danielle Gregory lost her job because she was caught texting during a trial. Among the text messages she sent were three pictures of herself to a married male employee in the middle of more than one juvenile hearing. Gregory's supervisor wrote in the disciplinary record that "Multiple text messages were sent from [Gregory's] cell phone number to [the male employee's] cell phone during court hours including times [she] was on the bench conducting court sessions. 

 The basketball coach who won 100 - 0 and was fired for not apologizing for the victory

Covenant school girls basketball coach Micah Grimes, whose team won 100 to 0 in a shut out ball game against a team from Dallas Academy, was fired for not apologizing for the win. Grimes, who was criticized for letting the game get so far out of hand, made it clear in the e-mail to the newspaper that he did not agree with his school's assessment."In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Web site, I do not agree with the apology or the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel embarrassed or ashamed". 

The teacher who got fired for not signing a loyalty oath

Wendy Gonaver lost her teaching job at Cal State Fullerton one day before class was scheduled to begin, because she refused to sign a loyalty oath swearing to "defend" the U.S. and California constitutions "against all enemies, foreign and domestic."As a Quaker from Pennsylvania and a lifelong pacifist, Gonaver objected to the California oath as an infringement of her rights of free speech and religious freedom. She offered to sign the pledge if she could attach a brief statement expressing her views, a practice allowed by other state institutions. But Cal State Fullerton rejected her statement and insisted that she sign the oath if she wanted the job. CaliforniaState University officials say they were simply following the law and did not discriminate against Gonaver because all employees are required to sign the oath. Clara Potes-Fellow, a Cal State spokeswoman, said the university does not permit employees to submit personal statements with the oath. Prior to that, another Cal State instructor, Quaker math teacher Marianne Kearney-Brown, was fired because she inserted the word "nonviolently" when she signed the oath. She was quickly rehired after her case attracted media attention.

Craziest Spa Treatments

 

 Fish Pedicure

An unusual spa treatment is being offered in London which exfoliates your feet using 150 fish. The Garra rufa fish have no teeth and nibble away dead skin using suction-shaped mouths leaving healthy new skin underneath untouched. The carp, which originated in Turkey, have long been used in the Far East to treat skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. In Japan they offer whole-body immersion fish spas and recently the craze has spread to the U.S, Europe and the UK. 

 Snake Massage

A spa in Israel has put a unique spin on the standard massage. While some masseuses use soothing music or scented candles to supplement massages, owner Ida Barak prefers to use snakes; she believes that they have a calming effect and can alleviate joint pain. Imagine—lying facedown on a bed, strong hands rubbing oil on your back as a few snakes slither up and down your body. What could be more relaxing?

 Cactus Massage

Relaxation is the point of the Hakali Massage at Apuane Spa at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Mexico. The treatment provides a distinctly Mexican flair using spine-free cactus paddles to massage in a blend of nopal, a prickly pear cactus, and pulque, an alcohol made from the agave plant and a relative of modern-day tequila. 

 Golden Facial

Cleopatra apparently slept in a gold mask every night to maintain youthful looking skin. Turns out, she was right. A revolutionary –and expensive spa treatment is based on the Queen of the Nile experience. Paper-thin squares of 24-karat gold are applied on the face along with hydrating compounds. The result includes firmer, more supple skin, and not surprisingly, a noticeable dent in your wallet. 

 Butt Facial

Facials aren't just for our faces anymore. All of our body parts need equal love, including our derriere. At Detroit-area spa Euphoria, the facials apply to this other set of cheeks — the ones you sit on. "We always try to come up with different ideas for services and I just hadn't seen it," said spa owner Lisa Johnson. "And that's an area that never gets the treatments it needs. Clients are still covered up as they have their derrieres cleansed and exfoliated. Then a masque is applied and any waxing, if needed, is done. The treatment ends with a warm paraffin treatment. The [biggest] problem with it is that people are so apprehensive. But once they get it, they're like, 'Oh my gosh, that feels so good.' 

 Reiki on Horseback

The Japanese practice of Reiki is focused on the belief that healing energy—when passed from practitioner to client—can correct imbalances in both spirit and body. Usually the practitioner is a human, but Rockin' Heart Ranch owner (and Certified Reiki Master) Christina DiBartolo believes that horses also possess an innate healing energy. Riding on horseback—either alone or with DiBartolo, and with her guidance—ostensibly allows a client to tap into that energy, and ease everything from physical aches and pains to emotional anxiety. 

 Wine Bath

Located in Kowakien Yunessun, the biggest, most popular spa center in Japan, reopened its doors every year for their most popular treatment. Hundreds of gallons of Beaujolais Nouveau, the most popular wine in Japan, are used during the 12 day period the wine spa welcomes its guests. For the last few years, Japanese wine lovers have had the opportunity to drink and bathe in the liquor they love so much, at the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun. The red pool is constantly fed wine through the wine-bottle-shaped spring, while a sommelier stands by to fill up the glasses of those craving some more Beaujolais Nouveau. Getting drunk is not going to make your wrinkles go away, but will definitely stop you from worrying about them for a few hours.

 Gondola Massage

It should come as no surprise that the most romantic city in the world would be the home of an über-enticing spa treat. At Casanova Spa at Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, relaxation-seekers who can't get enough of the city's sights can set sail with a Gondola Massage, performed in a private nook in one of Venice's alluring lagoons. To protect your skin, this outdoor massage is given using a special oil with SPF protection. 

 Snow Cave Anti Sauna

This anti-sauna room is the perfect place to go to cool out after a saunasection. The indoor artificial snowstorm is merely to provide ambience, but believers say that a shot of extreme cold—especially after a stint in a hot tub or sauna—can help reduce hypertension and tighten pores. Avaiable at the Butlins Ocean Spa, located in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. 

 Beer Facelift

First chocolate and now alcohol—I guess we're all looking for new, non-caloric ways to experience our favorite things. If you love beer, but hate the subsequent bloat, head to a Spa and experience the healing power of the yeasts for a change. The vitamins in the beer bath are said to rejuvenateyour pores and relieve tension in your muscles, giving your face a fresh "glow"—quite different from the glow you get after drinking a couple of Budweisers. 

Suitcase immigration

Plenty of inventive (and desperate) people have come up with a number of imaginative schemes for sneaking themselves and others across national borders.

On 2003, Illegal immigrants from India and Pakistan being smuggled from mainland China to Hong Kong were found inside suitcases.

On 2001, a 135-lb. woman was hidden behind the dashboard of a car. The "passenger" might be quite cramped and uncomfortable and the automobile difficult to maneuver after the modifications, but the ruse wouldn't have to be maintained for long — the car could be loaded just out of sight of border agents, driven the short distance to the crossing, and unloaded not far across the other side.

Similarly, another would-be border crosser was caught attempting to enter the U.S. concealed inside a seat occupied by another passenger:

Worlds largest vegetables and fruits

World's Biggest Sweet Potato (24.9 Lbs or 11.2 Kg)

Lebanese farmer Khalil Semhat, from the southern city of Tyre, couldn't believe his peeled eyes when he discovered he had grown a massive potato weighing 11.3 kilos (24.9 pounds), setting a record for the world's largest potato.

Worlds Largest Marrow (113 Lbs or 65 Kg)

Grown by Ken Dade in Norfolk, the 65kg (113lbs) vegetable needed two men to carry it to a stand at the National Amateur Gardening Show in Somerset. The voluptuous vegetable has entered the Guinness World Records book, beating the previous world title holder by 3kg.

World's Heaviest Jackfruit (76 Lbs or 34.4 Kg)

The sweet tasting fruit weighed 34.6kg (76lb 4.4oz), measured 57.46 cm (22.625in) long and had a circumference of 121.28 cm on 8 August 2003. It was grown by George and Margaret Schattauer of Captai Cook, Hawaii, USA. Native to Western India, the fruit spread throughout South East Asia and first came to Hawaii in 1888.

World's Largest Green Cabbage (76 Lbs or 34.4 Kg)

John Evans, a mechanical designer who lives 40 miles north of Anchorage in Palmer, Alaska, holds seven world records for giant vegetables. One of them is this Green Cabbage, who weighted over 76 lb, making it a world record in 1998.

World's Largest Watermelon (268.8 Lbs or 122 Kg)

Weighting 268.8 pounds, this watermelon made the cut as the world's largest watermelon. Grown at the Hope Farm Store by Lloyd Bright, his family has a long history with watermelons: they set world records in melon size in 1979 with a 200 pound melon and again in 1985 with one that weighed 260 pounds.

World's Heaviest Carrot (18.9 Lbs or 8.5 Kg)

Presented by John Evans in 1998, this 18.985 pound (8.61 kg) carrot is the heaviest ever.

World's Largest Pumpkin (1689 Lbs or 766 Kg)

Grown in Rhode Island, the world's biggest pumpkin was shown at the Topsfield Fair of Massachusetts in 2007, weighing 1689 lbs.

World's Longest Cucumber (36.1 in or 0.9 mts)

The 36.1in cucumber was grown by Alf Cobb who beat his own record of 35.1in at the National Amateur Gardening Show, from the Bath and West Showground in south-west England.

World's Largest Cauliflower (31.25 Lbs or 14.1 Kg)

Also grown by Evans, this Cauliflower weighted 31.25 lb, making it Alaska's largest one in 1997.

World's Heaviest Broccoli (35 Lbs or 15.8 Kg)

In what was John Evans' first World record in 1993, this Broccoli weighted over 35 lb, making it a world record.

Worst Boxing Injuries

 Duk-Koo Kim – after his brutal death both the referee who officiated the match and Kim's mother committed suicide

The young Korean fighter wasn't the first boxer to die as a result of injuries suffered in the ring. Nor was he the last. But up to this day, those who watched Kim battle Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini for 14 rounds in the outdoor arena at Caesars Palace, remember vividly a day that would cause a national debate over the very existence of boxing and ultimately bring change to the sport.

Mancini was defending his WBA lightweight title for the second time when he climbed through the ropes at Caesars. In the 13th round, Mancini unleashed a barrage of 39 straight punches. Somehow, Kim survived the round. Early in the 14th, Mancini connected with two big rights to Kim's head and the Korean dropped to the canvas. He beat the count of 10, but referee Richard Green stopped the fight. Kim was carried out of the ring by stretcher and rushed to Desert Springs Hospital. He died four days later.

This fight became famous for the aftermath: Kim's mom and the referee Richard Green committed suicide months after Kim's death. It's also said that this fight changed boxing rules and posterior fights went from 15 rounds to just 12. Mancini suffered from depression and was never the same fighter again, though he continued to box until 1993.

 Becky Zerlentes – the first woman to die in the ring

College teacher and award-winning female boxer Becky Zerlentes died in 2005 and is believed to be the first woman to die in a sanctioned bout. The preliminary cause of death was "blunt force trauma to the head", but results from an autopsy were not immediately available. Zerlentes, 34, was struck by opponent Heather Schmitz and, despite wearing protective headgear, fell unconscious during the amateur bout in Denver. Physicians at the Golden Gloves competition jumped into the ring, but Zerlentes never regained consciousness and died several hours later. Zerlentes had won a regional Golden Gloves title in 2002 before taking a break from boxing. She had told her coach before this fight, that this was going to be her last one since she was going to stop boxing because of her age.

Evander Holyfield – had his ear bite off by Mike Tyson

Few would argue that at the peak of his powers Mike Tyson was unrivalled in the heavyweight division and probably only Mohammad Ali has been as big a boxing box office draw. By the time he fought Evander Holyfield in June 1997, however, Tyson's career was on the slide. Clearly a desperate and out-of-control individual, Tyson, in front of a sold out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, took a bite out of his opponent's ear in the third round. The referee, Mills Lane, could hardly believe it until he was summoned over to Holyfield's corner to inspect the damage. His initial thoughts were to abandon the fight there and then, but instead he ordered the judges to deduct two points from Tyson's score and resumed hostilities. Within seconds, Tyson repeated the same skullduggery and was promptly disqualified. "It's like Dracula time," said the commentator. "I've never seen anything like this in boxing." All hell broke loose, the police came into a by-now crowded ring to try and restore order and like a ripple effect the bedlam moved to the hotel lobby and then the streets outside. Tyson was suspended from boxing and his purse was withheld. It was the beginning of the end for Iron Mike.

 Frankie Campbell – had his brain knocked off from his skull

Frankie Campbell whose real name was Francisco Camilli was born in 1904. His professional record included 40 fights, 33 wins (26 Kos), 4 loses, 2 draws and 1 no contest. His final fight was held in San Francisco, California, on August 25th, 1930. He lost his life against the infamous Max Baer, portrayed as a vicious killer in the movie Cinderella Man.

They said that Campbell knocked down Baer in the 2nd round, and this, enraged Baer bringing Campbell to an end. While other people talk about Baer losing the 3rd and 4th round in a row, and in the 5th round he couldn't take it anymore and became enrage because Tillie "Kid" Herman -former friend and trainer of Baer who switched corners overnight - was taunting and jeering Baer. Campbell's brain was knocked off loose from his skull and was pronounced dead the next day. Baer was charged with manslaughter but later was acquitted of all charges. He would give entire earnings to Campbell's family from succeeding bouts. 

 Jess Willard – the heavyweight champion who was bitten off by a contestant 60 pounds smaller

It is 1919 and the heavyweight champion of the world is a giant named Jess Willard. The 6'6 ½", 245 pound Willard had taken the title from an over-the-hill Jack Johnson. His newest challenger is a savage fighter out of the west by the name of Jack Dempsey, who at 6'1" and 187 pounds seems to belong to a weight class several places below Jess. Prior to the start of the fight, promoter Tex Rickard visits Dempsey and his manager in his dressing room. Kearns had to all but beg Tex to set up a fight between his man and the giant Willard, a battle that seems a mismatch on size alone. He urges Jack to stay down if Willard knocks him down; he doesn't want to be associated with a murder in front of thousands of witnesses.

Dempsey growls there's nothing to worry about. Willard is bigger but he's not in the shape of the challenger. The Manassa Mauler' Jack Dempsey brutally beat down and dethroned reigning 6'6 champion Jess Willard in three violent rounds at the Bay View Park Arena in Toledo, Ohio. Dempsey fractured the champion's jaw in the first round and knocked him down seven times in the opening stanza alone. After two more rounds of savagery Willard's corner threw in the towel to rescue their bloody and bruised fighter. Jess Willard survives by the margin of minutes, perhaps only seconds, one of the worst beatings in the history of prize fighting.

Dempsey would go on to reign as heavyweight champion for seven straight years until he was decisioned in 1926 by Gene Tunney.

 Richard Grant – had his jaw broken when his defeated opponent hit him with no gloves on

Butler was a very promising young fighter from New York City known by the nickname "Harlem Hammer". In November 2001, James Butler fought Richard "The Alien" Grant. The bout was a charity event to benefit survivors of the September 11 attacks. After losing by unanimous decision Butler made his way to the middle of the ring to purportedly congratulate Grant. Grant reacted by stretching his hand out in a motion to embrace. Instead, Butler (who had already removed his gloves) threw a vicious haymaker to Grant's face. Richard Grant suffered numerous facial injuries including a broken jaw, lacerated tongue, and several stitches. Butler, in turn, was arrested and convicted of assault and served prison time for the attack.

Unfortunately the tale does not end there. James Butler continued his career after this incident but could never duplicate his earlier success. In October of 2004, Butler was arrested and charged with murdering Sam Kellerman, brother of HBO Boxing analyst Max Kellerman. He (ironically) used a hammer and set his body on fire after a dispute. Butler pled guilty in 2006 and was sentenced to 29 years in prison.

 Benny Paret – went into coma and died 10 days after a controversial fight against Fullmer

Benny "Kid" Paret was a Cuban boxer who won the welterweight title for the first time in 1960, but lost it seven months later when Emile Griffith knocked him out. His last fight against Griffith occurred on March 24, 1962. In the twelfth round of the fight, Griffith hit Paret twenty-nine times in a row, and eighteen times in six seconds, when Paret was lying against the ropes before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. Paret went into a coma after the fight, and died ten days later.

The last fight was the subject of controversies. It is theorized that one of the reasons Paret died was that he was vulnerable due to the beatings he took in his previous three fights. New York State boxing authorities were criticized for giving Paret clearance to fight just several months after he was knocked out by Gene Fullmer in his second to last bout. The actions of Paret at the weigh in before his final fight have come under scrutiny. It is alleged that Paret taunted Griffith by calling him Maricón (Spanish slang for "faggot"). Griffith wanted to fight Paret on the spot but was restrained. The referee Ruby Goldstein, a respected veteran, came under criticism for not stopping the fight sooner. Goldstein would never be the referee for a fight again as a result of the controversy from this fight.

The fight was the centerpiece of a 2005 documentary entitled Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story. At the end of the documentary Griffith who has harbored guilt over the incident over the years is introduced to Paret's son. The son embraced Griffith and told him he was forgiven.

 Billy Collins Jr. – lost his vision after his opponent cheated removing padding from his gloves

The 1983 fight between Luis Resto and Billy Collins Jr. is known by many as one of the dark spots on the boxing industry, as Panama Lewis, the manager for Resto cheated to give Resto an advantage on the younger and odds on favorite Collins. Essentially, he removed some of the padding on Resto's gloves which resulted in not only Resto having harder punches, but also Collins Iris was completely torn leaving him to have permanent blurred vision. After the injury ended Collins career, he would commit suicide two years later, while Resto and Lewis both served jail time for the illegal gloves being considered a deadly weapon.

 Jonathan Thaxton – had his first and most memorable knockout

This fight was perhaps the biggest fight of both Emanuel Augustus and Jonathan Thaxton's career. In 1998 Thaxton made Augustus look like a million dollars via allowing him to use his chin as a punching bag. Further, this was the first knockout loss of Thaxton's career.