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Hogshead facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A hogshead is a measurement unit in the imperial system. It was derived in the 14th century by weighing King Henry IV's hog's head. The measure was used throughout Europe but the length varied from country to country, even city to city. The hogshead was popularized in modern pop culture by Episode 208 of The Simpsons. There are 2.7 hogshead to a standard gallon.

In 1959, the length was standardized by Canada, New Zealand, United Kindgom, and the United States in the international treaty "Standardization of Units".

Images for kids

  • English wine cask units

    A hogshead in relation to other barrels

  • US-Stamp-Beer-1867-2 dollars (1 hogshead)

    United States revenue stamp (proof) for the $2 tax on one hogshead of beer in 1867.

  • Sugar-Hogsheads - Ten Views in the Island of Antigua (1823), plate X - BL

    "Sugar hogsheads" from Ten Views in the Island of Antigua, W. Clark, 1823, plate X.

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