Comments:  True. The above is part of a press release from restaurant chain Long John Silver's, Inc. dated March 24, 2004. The company is making good on a promise made in January to provide one six-inch giant shrimp to every American in the event NASA found proof that an ocean once existed on Mars — which is sporting of them, considering a deadline of February 29 was set for said discovery to be announced. NASA didn't report its finding that a briny sea did exist on the red planet eons ago until March 23.

According to an earlier story in the Wall Street Journal, Long John Silver's took out an insurance policy in case it had to make good on the promise, which could theoretically cost the company — if every man, woman and child in the United States turned up to claim their shrimp, that is — over $230 million.

The giveaway will take place at participating Long John Silver's restaurants on Monday, May 10, 2004 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sources and further reading:

'Free Shrimp' Press Release
Long John Silver's, Inc., 25 March 2004

Long John Silver's Upholds 'Fishy' Deal
Louisville Courier-Journal, 25 March 2004

Seafood Chain Feels Great Wave of Relief
Wall Street Journal, 3 March 2004

On Mars, Not Just Water, but a Sea
Christian Science Monitor, 24 March 2004

Long John Silver's Makes Fishy Promise
Wireless Flash, 16 January 2004

Last updated: 03/25/04