Chromium forms many colorful compounds that have industrial uses. Lead chromate (PbCrO4), also known as chrome yellow, has been used as a yellow pigment in paints. Chromic oxide (Cr2O3), also known as chrome green, is the ninth most abundant compound in the earth's crust and is a widely used green pigment. Rubies and emeralds also owe their colors to chromium compounds.
The debates between Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln have been described as the most famous war of words in history.. The two men, the Democratic Little Giant and the Republican Tall Giant, met for a series of debates throughout Illinois.
The debates were actually rather short on substance (slavery and conspiracy theories dominated), but were long on what today we would call sound bites.. On one occasion, Douglas accused Lincoln of hypocrisy on the issue of temperance, charging that he had once operated a grocery store that sold hard liquor.