Test pilot Tim Ferguson landed a Jaguar fighter jet aircraft on the M55 motorway in Lancashire, England on April 26, 1975, shortly before it was opened to the public, to demonstrate the jet’s abilities.
A newborn baby has around 300 bones. Many of these fuse together to leave an adult’s 206.
At the temperature -20°C or below Emperor Penguins form a huddle to stay warm. The temperature inside the huddle sometimes gets so hot (37°C) that some penguins come out and eat ice to cool off a bit.
Other than humans, only armadillos and squirrels can contract leprosy.
American Chad Fell holds the record for "Largest Hands-free Bubblegum Bubble" at 20.0 inches (50.8 cm) achieved on April 24, 2004. He blew the bubble at the Double Springs High School, Winston County, Alabama, USA.
Flying squirrels cannot really fly but can spread flaps of skin between their limbs to become effective gliders over distances up to 300 feet.
American Chad Fell holds the record for "Largest Hands-free Bubblegum Bubble" at 20.0 inches (50.8 cm) achieved on April 24, 2004. He blew the bubble at the Double Springs High School, Winston County, Alabama, USA.
Flying squirrels cannot really fly but can spread flaps of skin between their limbs to become effective gliders over distances up to 300 feet.
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| A flying squirrel gliding. By Angie spuc |
The Russian composer Alexander Borodin was one of the foremost chemists of his time. He was especially noted for his work on aldehydes.
A badminton shuttlecock can easily reach speeds of 180 km/h (112 mph) during a match.
William Shakespeare used over 30,000 words in his plays, many which he invented himself. He introduced some 3,000 words into the English language including "accommodation", "assassination", "obscene" and "submerged.” As a comparison, an educated 20th century person has a vocabulary of 15,000 words and the King James Bible has a vocabulary of 8000 words.
Among the 135,000 birthday presents Shirley Temple received for her ninth birthday on April 23, 1937 was a prize Jersey calf from schoolchildren in Oregon.
A badminton shuttlecock can easily reach speeds of 180 km/h (112 mph) during a match.
William Shakespeare used over 30,000 words in his plays, many which he invented himself. He introduced some 3,000 words into the English language including "accommodation", "assassination", "obscene" and "submerged.” As a comparison, an educated 20th century person has a vocabulary of 15,000 words and the King James Bible has a vocabulary of 8000 words.
Vladimir Lenin owned nine Rolls Royces including the world's only one to be adapted with skis at the front for snow-driving.
'Miss Dromedary,' a beauty contest for camels, was first held in Saudi Arabia on April 22, 1995. Emir Sultan ibn Mohammad ibn Saud al-Kebir donated the $500,000 prize money.
The original of the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist was a young pickpocket whose trial Charles Dickens attended in his journalist days and whose sentence of 7 years transportation he regretfully recorded.
The Circus Maximus was arguably the largest structure in ancient Rome, with the capacity to seat 250,000 people according to Pliny (roughly a quarter of Rome's population at the time).
Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) was given her first corgi as an 18th-birthday gift on April 21, 1944. She named her Susan and adored her pet corgi so much that she took her on honeymoon.
The punishment for serving bad beer in ancient Babylon was drowning.
The largest simultaneous broadcast of a TV drama series was achieved by Game Of Thrones, when its second episode of season five was shown in 173 different territories on April 20, 2015.
The original of the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist was a young pickpocket whose trial Charles Dickens attended in his journalist days and whose sentence of 7 years transportation he regretfully recorded.
The Circus Maximus was arguably the largest structure in ancient Rome, with the capacity to seat 250,000 people according to Pliny (roughly a quarter of Rome's population at the time).
Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) was given her first corgi as an 18th-birthday gift on April 21, 1944. She named her Susan and adored her pet corgi so much that she took her on honeymoon.
The largest simultaneous broadcast of a TV drama series was achieved by Game Of Thrones, when its second episode of season five was shown in 173 different territories on April 20, 2015.
The Madre de Deus, built in Lisbon, Portugal in 1589 was the largest ship in the world in her time. The carrack was 165 feet (50 meters) in length, had 47 feet (14 meters) of beam and could carry 900 tons of cargo. It had 7 decks, 32 guns plus other arms and 600 to 700 crew members.
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| The arrival of the Great Carrack 'Madre de Dios' at Dartmouth Harbour, |
Adolf Hitler esteemed Clark Gable above all other actors, and during the war offered a sizable reward to anyone who could capture and return Gable unscathed to him.
The English word “word” was first used in 725 AD.
The English word “word” was first used in 725 AD.
Chocolate manufacturers currently use 40 percent of the world’s almonds.
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| Goodfield's Dipped Treats Double Dipped Almond |
Garlic was used as an antibiotic during World War II.
On the 20:45 news bulletin on Good Friday, April 18, 1930, the BBC Radio reported, "There is no news." Instead, they played piano music for the rest of the 15-minute segment. The wireless service then returned to broadcasting from the Queen's Hall in Langham Place, London, where the Wagner opera Parsifal was being performed.
Banshee is a steel roller coaster located at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio. Designed and built by Bolliger Mabillard, it opened on April 18, 2014. The roller coaster features 4,124 feet (1,257 m) of track making it the longest inverted roller coaster.
Crosswords were so popular among U.S. commuters in the 1920s that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad provided dictionaries for passengers.
The first periodical called a magazine was the Gentleman's Magazine launched by Edward Cave in January 1731. In an age of lousy yellow journalism, the punchy periodical featured stories about fire-eating as well as essays by a young upstart named Samuel Johnson.
On the 20:45 news bulletin on Good Friday, April 18, 1930, the BBC Radio reported, "There is no news." Instead, they played piano music for the rest of the 15-minute segment. The wireless service then returned to broadcasting from the Queen's Hall in Langham Place, London, where the Wagner opera Parsifal was being performed.
Banshee is a steel roller coaster located at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio. Designed and built by Bolliger Mabillard, it opened on April 18, 2014. The roller coaster features 4,124 feet (1,257 m) of track making it the longest inverted roller coaster.
Crosswords were so popular among U.S. commuters in the 1920s that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad provided dictionaries for passengers.
The first periodical called a magazine was the Gentleman's Magazine launched by Edward Cave in January 1731. In an age of lousy yellow journalism, the punchy periodical featured stories about fire-eating as well as essays by a young upstart named Samuel Johnson.
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| By Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers - http://www.rarenewspapers.com, Wikipedia |
Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.
The fastest time to eat a jam doughnut with no hands and without licking the lips is 11.41 seconds. The record was achieved by Philip Joseph Santoro in San Francisco, California, on April 17, 2014.
A giant Oreo cookie weighing 73.4 kg (161 lb 13 oz) was produced on April 16, 2018. Baked in Manama, Bahrain, the supersize snack was made with the real dough and cream used in regular-sized Oreos. With a normal Oreo weighing 11.3 g, this it was 6,495 times bigger than what you find in a standard packet.
The modern flip-flop descends from the Japanese zōri, which became popular in the decade after World War II when American soldiers brought them back home.
The fastest time to eat a jam doughnut with no hands and without licking the lips is 11.41 seconds. The record was achieved by Philip Joseph Santoro in San Francisco, California, on April 17, 2014.
A giant Oreo cookie weighing 73.4 kg (161 lb 13 oz) was produced on April 16, 2018. Baked in Manama, Bahrain, the supersize snack was made with the real dough and cream used in regular-sized Oreos. With a normal Oreo weighing 11.3 g, this it was 6,495 times bigger than what you find in a standard packet.
The modern flip-flop descends from the Japanese zōri, which became popular in the decade after World War II when American soldiers brought them back home.
After D-Day, flying ace Johnnie Johnson organized a supply run of Spitfires with barrels of beer slung under each wing to bring the "necessities of life" to pilots on front-line airfields in Normandy.
Irish Titanic passenger Jeremiah Burke sent a good bye message in a bottle during the sinking. It subsequently washed up near his home, where his handwriting was recognized by his mother.
Irish Titanic passenger Jeremiah Burke sent a good bye message in a bottle during the sinking. It subsequently washed up near his home, where his handwriting was recognized by his mother.
The Northwestern most point in the contiguous U.S. is Cape Flattery on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.
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| The view to the north from Cape Flattery By Dicklyon |
The kilt was part of Assyrian soldiers' uniform.
In South Korea, there is a day called Black Day (April 14), where single people eat noodles to lament their loneliness. This is in opposition to Valentine's Day and White Day, the days for couples.
The average cumulus cloud weighs about 1.1 million pounds, which is the same as 100 elephants
The word "OXYPHENBUTAZONE" is theoretically the highest possible scoring word in Scrabble, netting 1778 Points. It has never been played.
“Old Bet” the first elephant ever seen in America arrived from Bengal zoo on April 13, 1796 and was exhibited in New York. She was known for her ability to draw corks from bottles using only her trunk.
Aspirin was the first drug sold in water-soluble tablets.
The Stanford Daily reported on April 12, 1928 that Mathias Blau of Chicago convinced his wife to have all her teeth pulled. He then refused to buy her dentures because it was "cheaper to feed her soup than solid food." Mrs Blau took him to court and her husband was told to get her two new sets of teeth and at least a beef steak a week.
Astronauts don't do laundry but rather eject their clothes into space to burn up in the atmosphere.
In April 1970, the crew of NASA's Apollo 13 mission swung during their spaceflight around the far side of the moon. This put them 248,655 miles (400,171 km) away from Earth, the furthest that humans have ever been from their home planet.
Archie Thompson set the world record for goals scored by a footballer in an international match with 13 on April 11, 2001, as Australia played American Samoa in Coffs Harbour in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup. Australia won 31-0.
People normally snore when in deep sleep and at the same time we dream when sleeping soundly but we do not snore and dream at the same time.
Turtle gender depends on sand temperature while the egg is incubating. Warmer temperatures produce female hatchlings, while cooler temperatures produce male hatchlings.
At the age of 96 years and 222 days, South African Mohr Keet achieved the record for the oldest bungee jumper. The plunging pensioner jumped 216m (708ft) off a bridge on April 10, 2010.
The rock guitarist Eric Clapton was brought up by his maternal grandparents and he believed that his mother was actually his sister.
Apple Computer Company's, Apple 1 went on sale in 1976. It retailed for a bizarrely priced $666.66.
The mathematics master of Harrow predicted to the Mathematical Association in a speech on April 9, 1953 that by 2003, schoolchildren would be working out sums on calculating machines and there would be no multiplication tables. He said: "Each maths room will have its calculating machine, and the child on duty for the day will do any calculating needed."
The town of Romney, West Virginia, changed hands between Union and Confederate forces 56 times during the American Civil War.
A London watchmaker received the first patent for a fire escape on April 8, 1766. It consisted of a wicker basket on a pulley and a chain.
In South Korea, there is a day called Black Day (April 14), where single people eat noodles to lament their loneliness. This is in opposition to Valentine's Day and White Day, the days for couples.
In 1998 Nestlé trademarked the tubular packaging of Smarties. It later sued Masterfoods Denmark who marketed M&Ms in a similar package. The Danish Supreme Court ruled that a basic geometrical shape couldn't be trademarked and the trademark should be removed.
The average cumulus cloud weighs about 1.1 million pounds, which is the same as 100 elephants
The word "OXYPHENBUTAZONE" is theoretically the highest possible scoring word in Scrabble, netting 1778 Points. It has never been played.
“Old Bet” the first elephant ever seen in America arrived from Bengal zoo on April 13, 1796 and was exhibited in New York. She was known for her ability to draw corks from bottles using only her trunk.
Aspirin was the first drug sold in water-soluble tablets.
The Stanford Daily reported on April 12, 1928 that Mathias Blau of Chicago convinced his wife to have all her teeth pulled. He then refused to buy her dentures because it was "cheaper to feed her soup than solid food." Mrs Blau took him to court and her husband was told to get her two new sets of teeth and at least a beef steak a week.
Cats have fewer taste buds than humans and are the only mammals that can't taste sweetness.
Astronauts don't do laundry but rather eject their clothes into space to burn up in the atmosphere.
In April 1970, the crew of NASA's Apollo 13 mission swung during their spaceflight around the far side of the moon. This put them 248,655 miles (400,171 km) away from Earth, the furthest that humans have ever been from their home planet.
Archie Thompson set the world record for goals scored by a footballer in an international match with 13 on April 11, 2001, as Australia played American Samoa in Coffs Harbour in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup. Australia won 31-0.
People normally snore when in deep sleep and at the same time we dream when sleeping soundly but we do not snore and dream at the same time.
Turtle gender depends on sand temperature while the egg is incubating. Warmer temperatures produce female hatchlings, while cooler temperatures produce male hatchlings.
At the age of 96 years and 222 days, South African Mohr Keet achieved the record for the oldest bungee jumper. The plunging pensioner jumped 216m (708ft) off a bridge on April 10, 2010.
The rock guitarist Eric Clapton was brought up by his maternal grandparents and he believed that his mother was actually his sister.
Apple Computer Company's, Apple 1 went on sale in 1976. It retailed for a bizarrely priced $666.66.
The mathematics master of Harrow predicted to the Mathematical Association in a speech on April 9, 1953 that by 2003, schoolchildren would be working out sums on calculating machines and there would be no multiplication tables. He said: "Each maths room will have its calculating machine, and the child on duty for the day will do any calculating needed."
A strand of spider silk long enough to encircle the whole Earth would weigh just over a pound. An inch-thick rope of spider's silk can withstand up to 140,000 pounds of pressure.
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| Pixiebay |
The town of Romney, West Virginia, changed hands between Union and Confederate forces 56 times during the American Civil War.
A London watchmaker received the first patent for a fire escape on April 8, 1766. It consisted of a wicker basket on a pulley and a chain.
Samsung accidentally issued 2,000 employees shares of stock worth US$100,000,000,000 for 37 minutes on April 8, 2018 before realizing the error. 16 employees sold the shares which the company gave them despite receiving warnings from the company. The employees who sold their shares could have gotten US$9,000,000 each.
The record surface speed on the moon is 10.56 mph (17 km/h). It was set with the lunar rover.
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| Apollo 15 – Commander David Scott drives the Rover near the LM Falcon |
Cosmetics businesswoman Elizabeth Arden hated spectacles so much she wouldn’t employ anyone who wore them.
The city of Augusta, Georgia was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719-1772), mother of King George III.
Alexander Bogdanov was a Russian physician who experimented with blood transfusion to gain eternal youth. He died on April 7, 1928 after injecting himself with blood from a student infected with malaria and tuberculosis, who also may have been the wrong blood type.
Today, 95% of the vanilla flavoring is done in chemical laboratories. The pure (man-made) form of the flavoring is artificially flavored with vanillin derived from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood, instead of vanilla fruits.
The soil on Mars is perfect for growing asparagus.
Donkeys have incredible memories and can recognize other donkeys they knew as long as 25 years ago.
The Earth travels through space at 660,000 mph (1,062,167 km/h).
A status referendum was held in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on April 6, 1984. All 261 registered voters participated in the vote, with 88% voting for integration with Australia. The referendum has been described as the "smallest act of self-determination ever conducted."
On April 6, 1928 the authorities in Rome banned handshaking on grounds of hygiene and suggested people instead use the ‘Roman Salute’ — a symbol of fascism. Prior to COVID, the United States and Brazil are the only major countries where firm handshakes are expected in business settings.
Zambia is the only country to have entered an Olympics as one country (Northern Rhodesia) and left the games as another. Zambia declared independence on the last day of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, was worth $25 billion when he died on April 5, 1992, but still insisted on having $5 haircuts (leaving no tip).
The Tour de France was first dreamed up by sports journalist Henri Desgrange to promote his newspaper L'Auto. The plan worked. Before the first race started in 1903 it sold 25,000 copies. Five years later it had surpassed the 250,000 mark.
A businessman Moti Shniberg tried to trademark the term "September 11, 2001." on that very day, when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were still smoldering.
The Eiffel Tower (see below) in Paris is 934ft high, plus a 79ft of antenna. It was the world’s tallest man-made structure for 41 years. It was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1930.
Colgate in Argentine Spanish translates directly to the imperative command of "hang yourself."
Nikola Tesla predicted the modern cell phone in 1926. He said in the January 30, 1926 issue of Collier's magazine: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but...we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face... a man will be able to carry one in his pocket.”
The Osborne 1 often stakes a claim as the first laptop. Released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation, it weighed 10.7 kg (23.5 lb), cost $1,795, and ran the CP/M 2.2 operating system. However, the computer looked more like a sewing machine than today's sleek apparatuses.
Marlon Brando loved ice cream. In the 1980s, Brando was routinely spotted at a Beverly Hills ice cream parlor buying five gallon containers of ice cream- which he would eat all himself.
The city of Augusta, Georgia was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719-1772), mother of King George III.
Alexander Bogdanov was a Russian physician who experimented with blood transfusion to gain eternal youth. He died on April 7, 1928 after injecting himself with blood from a student infected with malaria and tuberculosis, who also may have been the wrong blood type.
Today, 95% of the vanilla flavoring is done in chemical laboratories. The pure (man-made) form of the flavoring is artificially flavored with vanillin derived from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood, instead of vanilla fruits.
The soil on Mars is perfect for growing asparagus.
Donkeys have incredible memories and can recognize other donkeys they knew as long as 25 years ago.
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| Pixiebay |
The Earth travels through space at 660,000 mph (1,062,167 km/h).
A status referendum was held in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands on April 6, 1984. All 261 registered voters participated in the vote, with 88% voting for integration with Australia. The referendum has been described as the "smallest act of self-determination ever conducted."
On April 6, 1928 the authorities in Rome banned handshaking on grounds of hygiene and suggested people instead use the ‘Roman Salute’ — a symbol of fascism. Prior to COVID, the United States and Brazil are the only major countries where firm handshakes are expected in business settings.
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| Benito Mussolini and Hitler, Mussolini giving the Roman salute |
Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, was worth $25 billion when he died on April 5, 1992, but still insisted on having $5 haircuts (leaving no tip).
The Tour de France was first dreamed up by sports journalist Henri Desgrange to promote his newspaper L'Auto. The plan worked. Before the first race started in 1903 it sold 25,000 copies. Five years later it had surpassed the 250,000 mark.
A businessman Moti Shniberg tried to trademark the term "September 11, 2001." on that very day, when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were still smoldering.
The Eiffel Tower (see below) in Paris is 934ft high, plus a 79ft of antenna. It was the world’s tallest man-made structure for 41 years. It was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1930.
.jpg) |
| By Benh LIEU SONG - File:Tour_Eiffel_Wikimedia_Commons.jpg, |
Nikola Tesla predicted the modern cell phone in 1926. He said in the January 30, 1926 issue of Collier's magazine: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but...we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face... a man will be able to carry one in his pocket.”
The Osborne 1 often stakes a claim as the first laptop. Released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation, it weighed 10.7 kg (23.5 lb), cost $1,795, and ran the CP/M 2.2 operating system. However, the computer looked more like a sewing machine than today's sleek apparatuses.
In February 1976, Elvis Presley — who had a vast collection of police badges — was made a reserve Memphis policeman.
Vatican City has the only ATM machines with Latin instructions.
The record for the loudest purring cat is held by Merlin, a 13-year-old rescue kitty from Torquay, Devon in England. During the filming of the Channel 5 TV show, Cats Make You Laugh Out Loud 2 on April 2, 2015, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator on hand to verify, Merlin registered a purr measuring 67.8 decibels, beating the previous record of 67.68 decibels set in 2011 by Smokey – another British cat.
Vatican City has the only ATM machines with Latin instructions.
The record for the loudest purring cat is held by Merlin, a 13-year-old rescue kitty from Torquay, Devon in England. During the filming of the Channel 5 TV show, Cats Make You Laugh Out Loud 2 on April 2, 2015, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator on hand to verify, Merlin registered a purr measuring 67.8 decibels, beating the previous record of 67.68 decibels set in 2011 by Smokey – another British cat.
Kate Bush was the first woman to top the UK charts with a self-written song when "Wuthering Heights" reached #1 in 1978.
On April Fool's Day 1998, Burger King published an advertisement for "Left-Handed Whopper". The condiments of this whopper were supposed to be rotated 180 degrees, as to avoid spilling out toppings from the right side of the burger. It was said to be the "ultimate 'Have-it-your-way' for lefties"
On April Fool's Day 1998, Burger King published an advertisement for "Left-Handed Whopper". The condiments of this whopper were supposed to be rotated 180 degrees, as to avoid spilling out toppings from the right side of the burger. It was said to be the "ultimate 'Have-it-your-way' for lefties"
In the Middle Ages a unicorn became seen as a symbol of purity and grace, which could only be captured or tamed by a virgin. Medieval apothecaries sold “unicorn horn”, also known as “alicorn”, for its medicinal properties.
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| Fresco by Domenichino of a maiden taming a unicorn, c. 1604–05 (Palazzo Farnese, Rome) |
On April 1, 1987 Steven M Newman became the first man to walk solo around our planet Earth. The 15,000-mile trek took him four years and untold pairs of shoes to complete.
At Oxford University Lewis Carroll was diagnosed as an epileptic, then a considerable social stigma to bear.
At Oxford University Lewis Carroll was diagnosed as an epileptic, then a considerable social stigma to bear.
Walt Disney's first cartoon star was a rabbit. Walt Disney Studios created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, but after a disagreement over rights with Universal Studios, the film distributor, Disney refused a pay cut and created Mickey Mouse.
Enrico Caruso practiced in the bath, while accompanied by a pianist in a nearby room. He took two baths a day.
Walter Rothschild, who once housed one of the largest natural history collections in the world, had a famed zebra carriage. He once he drove it to Buckingham Palace to demonstrate the tame character of zebras to the public.
Walter Rothschild, who once housed one of the largest natural history collections in the world, had a famed zebra carriage. He once he drove it to Buckingham Palace to demonstrate the tame character of zebras to the public.
Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs Robinson" was originally called "Mrs Roosevelt," after Eleanor Roosevelt.
Cash register receipts are coated with obesogens, chemicals that (when touched) can make you fat.
A Yale study found that Crayola crayons are the third most recognizable scent, behind coffee and peanut butter.
There have been six sinkings in the history of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. On March 31, 1921, both boats sank and the 73rd Boat Race had to be held again on 1st April.
A Yale study found that Crayola crayons are the third most recognizable scent, behind coffee and peanut butter.
There have been six sinkings in the history of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. On March 31, 1921, both boats sank and the 73rd Boat Race had to be held again on 1st April.
In 1920, Uruguay passed a law making dueling legal in order to permit a duel between a policeman and a newspaper editor. For the next 72 years, until 1992, dueling was legal in Uruguay as long as the participants had official permission.
Brad Pitt had $325 in his pocket when he moved to LA in 1986. He slept on the sofa of singer Melissa Etheridge.
Brad Pitt had $325 in his pocket when he moved to LA in 1986. He slept on the sofa of singer Melissa Etheridge.
Bobby socks were ankle-length socks commonly worn by teenage girls in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. 'Bobby' here denotes the length of the socks, as if cut short or 'bobbed.'
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| Bobby socks By Shaun Dunphy from Lindfield, UK |
The ancient Romans made soap from animal fat and wood ashes. These early soaps were used only for medical purposes.
The poet Walt Whitman volunteered as a nurse during the American Civil War. He wrote countless letters on behalf of soldiers, some of whom were illiterate or were dying, back home to their loved ones.
Seeking a more structured way to play with toy soldiers, H.G. Wells wrote in 1913, Little Wars, which provided simple rules for miniature wargaming. It is recognized today as the first recreational wargame and Wells is regarded by gamers and hobbyists as "the Father of Miniature Wargaming."
The solar energy received by the Earth in just one hour delivers enough energy to power the world's energy demands for a year.
In Eclogues 3 93 the Roman poet Virgil wrote "Latet anguus inherba" which means "a snake is lurking in the grass" thus originating the phrase "snake in the grass".
The poet Walt Whitman volunteered as a nurse during the American Civil War. He wrote countless letters on behalf of soldiers, some of whom were illiterate or were dying, back home to their loved ones.
Seeking a more structured way to play with toy soldiers, H.G. Wells wrote in 1913, Little Wars, which provided simple rules for miniature wargaming. It is recognized today as the first recreational wargame and Wells is regarded by gamers and hobbyists as "the Father of Miniature Wargaming."
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| First edition (publ. Frank Palmer, UK) |
The solar energy received by the Earth in just one hour delivers enough energy to power the world's energy demands for a year.
In Eclogues 3 93 the Roman poet Virgil wrote "Latet anguus inherba" which means "a snake is lurking in the grass" thus originating the phrase "snake in the grass".
At 655 m (2,100 ft) above sea level, Madrid is the highest capital of any European country. Below is a view of Madrid from the west, facing the Puerta de la Vega. Drawing by Anton van den Wyngaerde, 1562
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All his life, the British military hero General James Wolfe was plagued by rheumatism and consumption. He used to suffer awful remedies proffered by his mother including "a cure" based on snails and garden worms steeped in beer.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word vegetarian was first used in 1842. The word should not be confused with the word "vegetable"; it is derived from the Latin "vegetus", meaning "whole, vigorous, active."
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word vegetarian was first used in 1842. The word should not be confused with the word "vegetable"; it is derived from the Latin "vegetus", meaning "whole, vigorous, active."
Skunks do not enjoy getting sprayed by other skunks and merely tolerate their own scent.
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| Striped skunks |
A Data Scientist revealed that "Burn" is the most heavy metal word in the English language. The study was compiled by taking the frequency of a word appearing in lyrics and dividing them by the frequency of the same word as it appears in the Brown Corpus Manual.
When the United Nations was founded in 1945 there were 51 members. There are now 193.
When the United Nations was founded in 1945 there were 51 members. There are now 193.
The Iran Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world. Located near Chitgar Lake in northwestern Tehran, Iran, it has a total retail floor area of 1,950,000 square metres (21,000,000 sq ft).
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| Iran Mall overview By Anakarnia - Wikipedia |
The first song that Kurt Cobain learned to play on the guitar was AC/DC's "Back In Black."
The French philosopher Voltaire was said to have drowned 40-50 cups of coffee daily. On his death bed he quipped "I am dying of 250,000 cups of coffee."
The collective noun for starlings is a murmuration. The name may come from the sound their wings make when a vast cloud of them sweeps through the skies.
The French philosopher Voltaire was said to have drowned 40-50 cups of coffee daily. On his death bed he quipped "I am dying of 250,000 cups of coffee."
The collective noun for starlings is a murmuration. The name may come from the sound their wings make when a vast cloud of them sweeps through the skies.
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| Murmuration of starlings preparing to roost, in Scotland. By Walter Baxter |
Words in songs are called lyrics because in ancient Greece poems used to be accompanied by a lyre.
The song "White Christmas" ended the Vietnam War in 1975 – it was used as the radio code signal for the evacuation of Vietnamese people who had assisted the US from Saigon.
The song "White Christmas" ended the Vietnam War in 1975 – it was used as the radio code signal for the evacuation of Vietnamese people who had assisted the US from Saigon.
Franz Schubert often slept with his spectacles on in case he got an idea for a song in the night and wanted to write it down.
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| Schubert's glasses |
The oldest known song featuring a man talking to his girlfriend over the phone is "Hello! Ma Baby." It was written in 1899 by the songwriting team of Joseph E. Howard and Ida Emerson when only 10% of the population had telephones.
The word orange (meaning the fruit) entered the English language around 1400 — but it wasn’t used as the name of a color until the 1540s. Before then, the English speaking world referred to the orange color as geoluhread, which literally translates to “yellow-red."
The word orange (meaning the fruit) entered the English language around 1400 — but it wasn’t used as the name of a color until the 1540s. Before then, the English speaking world referred to the orange color as geoluhread, which literally translates to “yellow-red."
The Beatles played their first proper evening gig at Liverpool’s Cavern Club on March 21, 1961. They played there 292 times between 1961 and 1963, sharing just £5 a gig between them.
Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to the Solar System, being 4.37 light-years from the Sun. A car traveling 100 mph would take more than 29 million years to reach Alpha Centuri.
The SOS distress signal letters are simply a convenient and distinctive combination and are not an acronym, although they have been popularly held to stand for such phrases as "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls" or "Send Out Succour."
The coquí, a small frog which is endemic to Puerto Rico, is named after the sound of its mating call.
The SOS distress signal letters are simply a convenient and distinctive combination and are not an acronym, although they have been popularly held to stand for such phrases as "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls" or "Send Out Succour."
The coquí, a small frog which is endemic to Puerto Rico, is named after the sound of its mating call.
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| A Common Coqui |
Former Roxy Music band member Brian Eno wrote the iconic Windows 95 start-up sound on a Mac.
Whenever we sleep in a new environment for the first time, the left side of the brain stays awake and the right ear, which is connected to the left side of the brain, remains more alert to unusual sounds.
Bart to the Future, the seventeenth episode of the eleventh season of The Simpsons, originally aired in the United States on March 19, 2000. The show mentions billionaire Donald Trump having been President of the United States at one time, sixteen years before Trump actually successfully run for the position.
Elephants and giraffes only sleep around 3-4 hours a day—the shortest known sleep time of any land mammal. Giraffes can go for weeks without napping, needing 30 minutes to fully recharge.
A diesel engine can also be made to run on vegetable oil made from old cooking oil. This type of fuel is called biodiesel. This is not a new idea. Rudolf Diesel demonstrated his diesel engine in the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) using peanut oil fuel.
According to Guinness World Records, the longest nose on a living person was that of the late Turk Mehmet Özyürek (1949 – 2023), which measured 8.8cm (3.46in) from the bridge to the tip. Mehmet Özyürek was officially confirmed as the record holder on March 18, 2010.
Mangoes and pistachios are in the same family as poison ivy.
The color green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, when the green harp flag was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation. Green ribbons and shamrocks have been worn on St Patrick's Day since at least the 1680s.
St. Patrick explained the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people by showing people the shamrock. He used the three-leafed plant to illustrate the Christian teaching of three persons in one God. The shamrock has since become a central symbol for St Patrick's Day.
Whenever we sleep in a new environment for the first time, the left side of the brain stays awake and the right ear, which is connected to the left side of the brain, remains more alert to unusual sounds.
Elephants and giraffes only sleep around 3-4 hours a day—the shortest known sleep time of any land mammal. Giraffes can go for weeks without napping, needing 30 minutes to fully recharge.
A diesel engine can also be made to run on vegetable oil made from old cooking oil. This type of fuel is called biodiesel. This is not a new idea. Rudolf Diesel demonstrated his diesel engine in the 1900 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) using peanut oil fuel.
According to Guinness World Records, the longest nose on a living person was that of the late Turk Mehmet Özyürek (1949 – 2023), which measured 8.8cm (3.46in) from the bridge to the tip. Mehmet Özyürek was officially confirmed as the record holder on March 18, 2010.
Mangoes and pistachios are in the same family as poison ivy.
The color green has been associated with Ireland since at least the 1640s, when the green harp flag was used by the Irish Catholic Confederation. Green ribbons and shamrocks have been worn on St Patrick's Day since at least the 1680s.
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| St. Patrick depicted with shamrock in stained glass window in St. Benin's Church, Kilbennan. By Andreas F. Borchert, |
The reason drinking is so prevalent on Saint Patrick's Day is because St. Patrick died during Lent and to celebrate his life properly, restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day.
The giant panda spends around 55% of its life collecting, preparing and eating bamboo. After 14 hours of eating bamboo, a panda has only digested 17% of it.
The giant panda spends around 55% of its life collecting, preparing and eating bamboo. After 14 hours of eating bamboo, a panda has only digested 17% of it.
U2 was first called "The Larry Mullen Band", but they later switched their name to "Feedback" after the awful noise they made in early rehearsals. After becoming "The Hype" for a short period of time, the band finally changed their name to "U2"
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| U2 performing at the US Festival in May 1983 By James LaMantia |
The most used hashtag in 24 hours on Twitter was #TwitterBestFandom, with 60,055,339 uses from March 16-17, 2019. #TwitterBestFandom was used as a tool to allow the general public to vote in the 14th Annual Soompi Awards. (Soompi is an English-language website providing coverage of Korean pop culture).
If the Colosseum was built today, it would cost around 39 million euros - the equivalent of almost 43 million dollars.
If the Colosseum was built today, it would cost around 39 million euros - the equivalent of almost 43 million dollars.
In medieval times the area of the present-day Slovakia was characterized by the construction of numerous stone castles. Today, Slovakia has the highest number of castles per person in the world, with 180 castles in a population of 5.4 million.
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| Bojnice Castle By Peter1170 |
When moving at top speed sloths manage about 13ft (4 meters) per minute. It takes a sloth a whole month to travel one mile on the ground.
The physicist Stephen Hawking died early in the morning of March 14, 2018. Having been born on January 8, the date of Galileo's death, he passed away on the date of Albert Einstein's birth.
The physicist Stephen Hawking died early in the morning of March 14, 2018. Having been born on January 8, the date of Galileo's death, he passed away on the date of Albert Einstein's birth.
Pringles originated in 1969 when Proctor and Gamble applied their technology for producing soap to potato chips.
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| Pringles By Glane23 - Wikipedia |
Cliquot Club Ginger Ale was the first canned soft drink. It was introduced in America in 1938.
Velcro was invented by Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral. He was inspired by the adhesiveness of the burdock burrs that had got attached to his socks, jacket and his dog's fur after a walk in the Alps.
Velcro was invented by Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral. He was inspired by the adhesiveness of the burdock burrs that had got attached to his socks, jacket and his dog's fur after a walk in the Alps.
The oldest known socks were found in Egypt and date back to between the years 250 and 420. They were knitted socks that were excavated from the city of Oxyrhynchus on the River Nile. The split toes were designed for use with sandals.
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| The earliest known surviving pair of socks, found in Egypt. By David Jackson |
The human body has enough fat for seven bars of soap.
More than two thirds of the female members of Congress and 80% of women business owners in the US were once Girl Scouts. This is an impressive ration considering eight percent of all women in the U.S. were Girl Scouts at some point.
History's fattest cat died at age 10 years and four months in Cairns, Australia on March 12, 1986. The neutered male house cat named Himmy was 38 inches long and weighed 46.8 pounds (21.3 kilograms) at his death. The owner Thomas Vyse had to transport Himmy in a wheelbarrow.
The average fully detached American home has about two tonnes of earthworms crawling through the soil in its yard.
Thieves stole an entire 22 tonne, 82 foot metal bridge overnight on March 11, 2013 in the Golcuk district of the Turkish province of Kocaeli.
When you get a kidney transplant they usually leave your original kidneys in your body and put the third one lower in your pelvic area.
Dublin, Ireland, is home to The National Leprechaun Museum, a museum dedicated to leprechauns. It has operated on 1 Jervis Street since March 10, 2010.
The coldest object in our solar system is not Pluto, it's Triton, one of Neptune's moons. Its surface temperature is at least 35.6 K (−237.6 °C), while Pluto's average equilibrium temperature is 44 K (−229 °C).
Super Mario is named after real-life businessman Mario Segale, who was renting out a warehouse to Nintendo. After Nintendo fell far behind on rent, Segale did not evict them but gave them a second chance to come up with the money. Nintendo succeeded and named their main character after him.
There are more Barbie dolls in Italy than there are Canadians in Canada.
More than two thirds of the female members of Congress and 80% of women business owners in the US were once Girl Scouts. This is an impressive ration considering eight percent of all women in the U.S. were Girl Scouts at some point.
History's fattest cat died at age 10 years and four months in Cairns, Australia on March 12, 1986. The neutered male house cat named Himmy was 38 inches long and weighed 46.8 pounds (21.3 kilograms) at his death. The owner Thomas Vyse had to transport Himmy in a wheelbarrow.
Thieves stole an entire 22 tonne, 82 foot metal bridge overnight on March 11, 2013 in the Golcuk district of the Turkish province of Kocaeli.
The biggest religious building in the world is a Hindu Temple, Angkor Wat, located in Cambodia. The Angkor Wat features on the flag of Cambodia (see below), the only actual building to feature on any national flag.
When you get a kidney transplant they usually leave your original kidneys in your body and put the third one lower in your pelvic area.
Dublin, Ireland, is home to The National Leprechaun Museum, a museum dedicated to leprechauns. It has operated on 1 Jervis Street since March 10, 2010.
The coldest object in our solar system is not Pluto, it's Triton, one of Neptune's moons. Its surface temperature is at least 35.6 K (−237.6 °C), while Pluto's average equilibrium temperature is 44 K (−229 °C).
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| Artist's impression of Triton, By ESO/L. Calçada |
Super Mario is named after real-life businessman Mario Segale, who was renting out a warehouse to Nintendo. After Nintendo fell far behind on rent, Segale did not evict them but gave them a second chance to come up with the money. Nintendo succeeded and named their main character after him.
There are more Barbie dolls in Italy than there are Canadians in Canada.
The Romans didn't wear trousers because it was seen as uncivilized and only Barbarians wore pants.
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| Germanic trousers of the 4th century. By PBullenwächter |
WNBT-TV (now WNBC-TV), in New York, broadcast the first local color television commercial on March 9, 1954. The ad was for Castro Decorators of New York City.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
The Sun is by far the largest entity in the solar system containing 99.8% of its total mass. The Earth could fit on the sun one million times over.
During the First World War, US soldiers called their coffee “a cup of George”.
The rooster on the Kellogg's Corn Flakes box is called Cornelius. They chose a rooster because the word ceiliog, Welsh for cockerel, sounds a bit like Kellogg.
In China and Japan, it is considered polite to slurp your soup. It means your meal is too good to be graceful.
It would take approximately 3,155,524,416 Cheerios to circle the Earth at the equator.
Oreos are vegan-friendly since the cream doesn’t contain any dairy products. Because the Oreo filling contains no dairy, the FDA didn't allow it to be called 'cream'. Therefore, it was named 'creme' instead.
A snail moving at its top speed of two inches a minute would finish a marathon in just over 18 months.
The rooster on the Kellogg's Corn Flakes box is called Cornelius. They chose a rooster because the word ceiliog, Welsh for cockerel, sounds a bit like Kellogg.
In China and Japan, it is considered polite to slurp your soup. It means your meal is too good to be graceful.
It would take approximately 3,155,524,416 Cheerios to circle the Earth at the equator.
Oreos are vegan-friendly since the cream doesn’t contain any dairy products. Because the Oreo filling contains no dairy, the FDA didn't allow it to be called 'cream'. Therefore, it was named 'creme' instead.
A snail moving at its top speed of two inches a minute would finish a marathon in just over 18 months.
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| Pixiebay |
The large bodied and strong Greek philosopher Socrates once walked 117 miles (188 kms) from Athens to Olympia to see the Olympics.
The world record for cockroaches eaten is 36 in a minute by retired English rat catcher Ken Edwards on March 5, 2001.
The most snow ever to fall in one day was at Capracotta, a small town in Italy, on March 5, 2015 — 256 cm (8.34 feet) of snow fell in about 18 hours.
The world record for cockroaches eaten is 36 in a minute by retired English rat catcher Ken Edwards on March 5, 2001.
The most snow ever to fall in one day was at Capracotta, a small town in Italy, on March 5, 2015 — 256 cm (8.34 feet) of snow fell in about 18 hours.
French actress Sarah Bernhardt bought a coffin at the age of 15, in which sometimes she slept.
When James K. Polk's presidential term ended on March 4, 1849, a Sunday, his successor, Zachary Taylor, an Episcopalian, refused to take the presidential oath of office on the Sabbath. This led to a curious situation in which the United States was "without" a president for a day.
An Indian man holds the record for the longest growing mustache. According to Guinness World Records, Ram Singh Chauhan has a mustache that spans as 4.29m (14ft) long.) It was measured on the set of the Italian TV show Lo Show dei Record in Rome on March 4, 2010. He has been growing his facial hair since his youth.
An Indonesian prison announced in 2015 a plan to use crocodiles as guards for death row drug convicts.
In Denmark on Shrove Tuesday, children traditionally hit a 'shrove barrel' until it breaks and scatters candy across the floor.
When James K. Polk's presidential term ended on March 4, 1849, a Sunday, his successor, Zachary Taylor, an Episcopalian, refused to take the presidential oath of office on the Sabbath. This led to a curious situation in which the United States was "without" a president for a day.
An Indian man holds the record for the longest growing mustache. According to Guinness World Records, Ram Singh Chauhan has a mustache that spans as 4.29m (14ft) long.) It was measured on the set of the Italian TV show Lo Show dei Record in Rome on March 4, 2010. He has been growing his facial hair since his youth.
An Indonesian prison announced in 2015 a plan to use crocodiles as guards for death row drug convicts.
In Denmark on Shrove Tuesday, children traditionally hit a 'shrove barrel' until it breaks and scatters candy across the floor.
The basic recipe of eggs, milk and flour for pancakes has been found in English cookbooks from 1439.
About 1.4 million people attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans every year, but the population for the rest of the year is just over 384,000.
UPS drivers don't take the shortest routes. Instead it uses route optimization software which optimizes each route by eliminating left-hand turns whenever possible. As result, UPS claims it save nearly $100,000,000 a year in fuel costs.
The full name of The Boy Bands Have Won, the 13th studio album by British music group Chumbawamba released on March 3, 2008 contains 865 characters. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest album title. See picture below for its full title.
Humans can only see about 4% of the matter in the Universe. The rest (about 23%) is made up of invisible matter (called Dark Matter) and a mysterious form of energy (73%) known as Dark Energy.
People don't sneeze when they are asleep because the nerves involved in the sneeze reflex are also resting.
When Lawrence Anthony, known as "The Elephant Whisperer", died on March 2, 2012, a herd of elephants arrived at his house in South Africa to mourn him. Although the elephants were not alerted to the event, they travelled to his house and stood around for two days, and then dispersed.
Most snowflakes have six sides because the molecules that make them up are hexagon-shaped.
Prince Charles became the first member of the Royal Family to become a blood donor on March 1, 1985. Nurses confirmed his blood was red, not blue.
UPS drivers don't take the shortest routes. Instead it uses route optimization software which optimizes each route by eliminating left-hand turns whenever possible. As result, UPS claims it save nearly $100,000,000 a year in fuel costs.
The full name of The Boy Bands Have Won, the 13th studio album by British music group Chumbawamba released on March 3, 2008 contains 865 characters. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest album title. See picture below for its full title.
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| Wikipedia |
Humans can only see about 4% of the matter in the Universe. The rest (about 23%) is made up of invisible matter (called Dark Matter) and a mysterious form of energy (73%) known as Dark Energy.
People don't sneeze when they are asleep because the nerves involved in the sneeze reflex are also resting.
When Lawrence Anthony, known as "The Elephant Whisperer", died on March 2, 2012, a herd of elephants arrived at his house in South Africa to mourn him. Although the elephants were not alerted to the event, they travelled to his house and stood around for two days, and then dispersed.
Most snowflakes have six sides because the molecules that make them up are hexagon-shaped.
Prince Charles became the first member of the Royal Family to become a blood donor on March 1, 1985. Nurses confirmed his blood was red, not blue.
At 6.95 meters (22.8 ft) in length, the reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. It can be found in South Asia.
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| Reticulated python By Mariluna, |
In 2014 a British sniper in Afghanistan killed six insurgents with a single bullet after hitting the trigger switch of a suicide bomber whose device then exploded.
Julius Caesar introduced the first leap year around 46 B.C., but his Julian calendar had only one rule: Any year evenly divisible by four would be a leap year..
It is acceptable for a woman to propose to a man on February 29th. The custom has been attributed to St. Bridget, who is said to have complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for men to propose marriage. Patrick supposedly gave women one day to propose.
Karin Henriksen of Norway gave birth to children on February 29 in 1960, 1964 and 1968, and Louise Estes of Provo, Utah, gave birth on February 29 in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
George Washington had only one tooth in his mouth by the time he was inaugurated in 1789. He contacted a leading dentist in Philadelphia who produced state of art dentures made from exotic and lasting material: hippopotamus ivory.
The giraffe has no vocal cords. They communicate by vibrating the air around its neck, producing a deep, spooky humming noise, almost like tantric chanting.
The church used to allow chocolate to be drunk during Lent and society ladies had the drink served during sermons.
In 1252, King Haakon IV of Norway sent a polar bear to London as a present to King Henry III. It was the first polar bear seen in Britain.
A mature oak tree can have as many as 400,000 caterpillars living in it.
Queen Victoria had an operation for a somewhat undignified abscess in the area of her royal armpit in 1871. Unfortunately the carbolic acid disinfectant was accidentally squirted into the still awake royal highnesses' face. She was not amused!
Julius Caesar introduced the first leap year around 46 B.C., but his Julian calendar had only one rule: Any year evenly divisible by four would be a leap year..
It is acceptable for a woman to propose to a man on February 29th. The custom has been attributed to St. Bridget, who is said to have complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for men to propose marriage. Patrick supposedly gave women one day to propose.
Karin Henriksen of Norway gave birth to children on February 29 in 1960, 1964 and 1968, and Louise Estes of Provo, Utah, gave birth on February 29 in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
George Washington had only one tooth in his mouth by the time he was inaugurated in 1789. He contacted a leading dentist in Philadelphia who produced state of art dentures made from exotic and lasting material: hippopotamus ivory.
The giraffe has no vocal cords. They communicate by vibrating the air around its neck, producing a deep, spooky humming noise, almost like tantric chanting.
The church used to allow chocolate to be drunk during Lent and society ladies had the drink served during sermons.
In 1252, King Haakon IV of Norway sent a polar bear to London as a present to King Henry III. It was the first polar bear seen in Britain.
The concept of the Pokémon universe, in both the video games and the general fictional world of Pokémon, stems from the hobby of insect collecting, a pastime which Pokémon executive director Satoshi Tajiri enjoyed as a child.
A mature oak tree can have as many as 400,000 caterpillars living in it.
Queen Victoria had an operation for a somewhat undignified abscess in the area of her royal armpit in 1871. Unfortunately the carbolic acid disinfectant was accidentally squirted into the still awake royal highnesses' face. She was not amused!
The Geographic South Pole is marked by a stake in the ice alongside a small sign; these are repositioned each year in a ceremony on New Year's Day to compensate for the movement of the ice.
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| The Ceremonial South Pole as of February 2008. |
It is believed The Queen of Sheba loved pistachios. In fact, she demanded that the entire region’s pistachio harvest be set aside for her.
African farmers attach chilies to fences to keep elephants away from their crops. Elephants hate the smell of chilli.
African farmers attach chilies to fences to keep elephants away from their crops. Elephants hate the smell of chilli.
The Venus Flytrap is only native to one area of the world; the coastal bogs of North and South Carolina in the United States. Specifically they are only found within a 100-kilometer (60 mi) radius of Wilmington, North Carolina.
Jules Verne made amazing predictions of scientific advances in the 20th century in his 19th cent novels. The French novelist predicted cars, automatic trains, electric lights and fax machines. He also prophesied Americans would be the first to fly to the Moon.
The most curtain calls taken in a single performance by an opera singer is 165, by Luciano Pavarotti at the Deutsche Opera in Berlin on February 24, 1988, after singing the part of Nemorino in Donizetti's comic opera L’Elisir D’Amore. The audience’s applause lasted one hour and seven minutes.
The most curtain calls taken in a single performance by an opera singer is 165, by Luciano Pavarotti at the Deutsche Opera in Berlin on February 24, 1988, after singing the part of Nemorino in Donizetti's comic opera L’Elisir D’Amore. The audience’s applause lasted one hour and seven minutes.
Mike Tyson had been arrested 38 times by the age of 13. He said he was bullied as a "pudgy kid" who spoke with a lisp, causing him to turn to crime and drugs. He learned boxing at reform school, and by 20 was the WBC heavyweight champion.
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| Tyson in the ring at Las Vegas in October 2006. By Octal@Flickr |
Hillary Clinton won a Grammy in 1997 for Best Spoken Word Album for the audio version of her book It Takes a Village.
When London held a Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition in 1972, a taxi driver was reported to have taken a man to Tooting Common by mistake.
When London held a Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition in 1972, a taxi driver was reported to have taken a man to Tooting Common by mistake.
The Alligator Snapping Turtle of North America has a tongue that bears resemblance to a worm. This enables the turtle to lure fish into its mouth.
Mark Twain (yes, that Mark Twain) invented and patented the bra-strap clasp.
Chilies were being eaten in Central and South America as long ago as 7,000 BC, which gives them claims to be the world’s oldest condiment.
Lexicographer Noah Webster is credited for introducing such distinctive American spellings as "color," for British "colour." However many of his changes never stuck such as medicine=medicin, ache=ake, soup=soop, tongue=tung, women=wimmen, & weather=wether.
The largest cashew tree in the world was planted by a fisherman in Brazil. It now financially supports 1500 people.
Chilies were being eaten in Central and South America as long ago as 7,000 BC, which gives them claims to be the world’s oldest condiment.
The largest known specimen of colossal squid was captured on February 22, 2007 by a New Zealand fishing vessel off the coast of Antarctica. That individual weighed 495 kilograms (1,091 lb) and measured around 10 metres (33 ft). This specimen is the largest invertebrate ever found.
Lexicographer Noah Webster is credited for introducing such distinctive American spellings as "color," for British "colour." However many of his changes never stuck such as medicine=medicin, ache=ake, soup=soop, tongue=tung, women=wimmen, & weather=wether.
The largest cashew tree in the world was planted by a fisherman in Brazil. It now financially supports 1500 people.
German polyglot Emil Krebs (1867 - 1930) mastered 68 languages in speech and writing - including Mandarin and all those spoken in today’s European Union - and studied 120 other languages. His private library contained the Bible in 61 different languages.
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| Emil Krebs |
The most complex language to voice is !Xóõ, spoken mostly in Botswana—it has 112 distinct sounds, while English has about 40. About 70 per cent of words in !Xoo (including !Xoo itself) begin with one of 83 types of click.
On February 20, 1990, a garden snail named Verne completed a 31-cm (12.2-in) course at West Middle School in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, in a world record 2 min 13 sec at 0.233 cm/sec (0.09 in/sec).
On February 20, 1990, a garden snail named Verne completed a 31-cm (12.2-in) course at West Middle School in Plymouth, Michigan, USA, in a world record 2 min 13 sec at 0.233 cm/sec (0.09 in/sec).
Ned Flanders' last name comes from Flanders Street. in Portland, Oregon, the hometown of The Simpsons' creator Matt Groening.
Beethoven was fond of coffee. The German composer required precisely 60 beans to make a cup of his favorite hot drink.
Top ice cream tasters take out tongue insurance. John Harrison of US firm Dreyer's insured his for $1 million.
Top ice cream tasters take out tongue insurance. John Harrison of US firm Dreyer's insured his for $1 million.
The area of the brain devoted to smell in dogs is 40 per cent larger than humans.
The average person glances at their smartphone 150 times a day.
Pedro Lascuráin was President of Mexico for 45 minutes on February 18, 1913; this is the shortest term to date of any person as president of any country.
Pedro Lascuráin was President of Mexico for 45 minutes on February 18, 1913; this is the shortest term to date of any person as president of any country.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder's 1559 painting The Fight Between Carnival and Lent (see below) includes one of the first known images of waffles.
Elm Farm Ollie was the first cow to fly in an airplane. The milk she produced during an air-trip on February 18, 1930 was dropped by parachute over the city of St Louis.
Ten years after John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of television in 1926 in London there were only 100 TVs in the world.
Ted Hastings set the Guinness world record for "Most T-Shirts Worn at Once" in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on February 17, 2019. He wore 260 shirts ranging from medium up to 20X to raise money for a school playground.
There are more possible outcomes to a 40-move chess game then there are atoms in the known universe.
Marlon Brando was notorious for refusing to memorize his lines. Sometimes other actors had his lines taped to their bodies.
A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use the word "reggae."
A female mouse can begin having babies at two months of age.
The Roman emperor Caligula's favorite horse, Incitatus, was housed in a marble stall and had a gold drinking goblet, furniture & slaves.
Ten years after John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of television in 1926 in London there were only 100 TVs in the world.
Ted Hastings set the Guinness world record for "Most T-Shirts Worn at Once" in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on February 17, 2019. He wore 260 shirts ranging from medium up to 20X to raise money for a school playground.
There are more possible outcomes to a 40-move chess game then there are atoms in the known universe.
Marlon Brando was notorious for refusing to memorize his lines. Sometimes other actors had his lines taped to their bodies.
A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use the word "reggae."
A female mouse can begin having babies at two months of age.
The Roman emperor Caligula's favorite horse, Incitatus, was housed in a marble stall and had a gold drinking goblet, furniture & slaves.
The first structure to be called a skyscraper was the 138-foot (42 m) tall, ten-story Home Insurance Company Building in Chicago, which opened in 1885 and was demolished 47 years later in 1931.
romance.
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| The Home Insurance Building |
Researchers reported in 2012 in the journal Neurology that about 3.6 percent of U.S. adults had walked in their sleep at least once in the previous 12 months One percent experienced at least two episodes of sleepwalking per month.
The world’s first Valentine message is believed to have been sent by Margery Brews of Norfolk, to her fiancé John Paston in 1477. She addressed it to "my right wellbelovyd voluntyne".
The world’s first Valentine message is believed to have been sent by Margery Brews of Norfolk, to her fiancé John Paston in 1477. She addressed it to "my right wellbelovyd voluntyne".
Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat kissed for 58 hours 35 minutes 58 seconds between February 12-14 2013 at an event in Pattaya, Thailand. This smashed the record for the world's longest kiss, which had been 31 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
A group of embittered singles worked together to buy up all the odd-numbered cinema seats for a Valentine's Day screening of Beijing Love Story, at the Shanghai Xintiandi cinema on February 14, 2014. They thus forced couples to sit apart while watching the sappy big-budget romance.
American writer William S. Burroughs is credited with coining the phrase, 'heavy metal.' He used it in his 1961 novel The Soft Machine, describing his character Uranian Willy as "the Heavy Metal Kid."
A group of embittered singles worked together to buy up all the odd-numbered cinema seats for a Valentine's Day screening of Beijing Love Story, at the Shanghai Xintiandi cinema on February 14, 2014. They thus forced couples to sit apart while watching the sappy big-budget romance.
American writer William S. Burroughs is credited with coining the phrase, 'heavy metal.' He used it in his 1961 novel The Soft Machine, describing his character Uranian Willy as "the Heavy Metal Kid."
Border collies are considered the most intelligent breed of dog, in front of poodles and German Shepherds.
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| Border Collie Pixiebay |
Not one of the 500 references to Geoffrey Chaucer written in his lifetime refers to him as a poet.
Britain's first flushing public toilet for women opened near the Strand in London on February 11, 1852. Only 82 females used it in the first twelve months.
Britain's first flushing public toilet for women opened near the Strand in London on February 11, 1852. Only 82 females used it in the first twelve months.
Big Bird is the main protagonist of Sesame Street. He is meant to be an 8'2" golden condor and the puppeteer inside of Big Bird must wear platform shoes in order to reach his beak.
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| Big Bird at Sesame Place. https://www.flickr.com/photos/evelynishere |
Mozart wrote numerous pieces for the clarinet. He thought its tone was the closest in quality to the human voice.
On February 10, 2017, the U.S. Court of International Trade officially ruled that the Snuggie is a blanket, not a garment.
On February 10, 2017, the U.S. Court of International Trade officially ruled that the Snuggie is a blanket, not a garment.
The national dish of Vanuatu, a group of islands in the South Pacific, is a root vegetable cake called 'laplap'. It comprises vegetable paste, coconut milk and meat cooked in a banana leaf.
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| Laplap. By Ronoleo - Wikipedia |
The cash machines in the Vatican City are the only ones in the world that offer Latin as a language display option.
In ancient times non-meat eaters were generally known as Pythagoreans or adhering to the "Pythagorean System". The word "vegetarian" to describe non-meat eaters wasn't coined until the 19th century.
The top of some of the mountains in the South American country of Colombia are so cold that you can ski over the equator.
President Warren Harding installed the White House’s first radio on February 8, 1922. At the time, radio was the hottest technology around.
In ancient times non-meat eaters were generally known as Pythagoreans or adhering to the "Pythagorean System". The word "vegetarian" to describe non-meat eaters wasn't coined until the 19th century.
Samuel J. Seymour, the last surviving witness of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, lived long enough to be interviewed on national television on February 9, 1956.
The top of some of the mountains in the South American country of Colombia are so cold that you can ski over the equator.
President Warren Harding installed the White House’s first radio on February 8, 1922. At the time, radio was the hottest technology around.
With seating width at only about 14 inches per person, The Colosseum in Ancient Rome had a maximum capacity of 50,000 people.
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| Pollice Verso (Thumbs Down) by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872 |
All but one of the astronauts who walked on the Moon had been boy scouts.
The water droplets in a medium-sized cumulus cloud, the ones that look like cotton wool on a sunny day, weigh as much as 80 elephants.
The water droplets in a medium-sized cumulus cloud, the ones that look like cotton wool on a sunny day, weigh as much as 80 elephants.
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| By Kr-val - Own work, Wikipedia |
Nylon is made from coal and petroleum.
The average life span of an umbrella is one-and-a-half years.
Donald Trump has a star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame awarded in 2007 for hosting The Apprentice from 2004-2015.
Golf is the only sport to have been played on the moon. Apollo 14 Astronaut Alan Shepard stashed away a makeshift six-iron inside his spacecraft and on February 6, 1971, he hit two golf balls on the lunar surface. His first shot was a mis-hit and only went a few feet, but the second went, as he put it, "miles and miles and miles."
The American jazzman Dizzy Gillespie was known for playing a ‘bent’ trumpet. It started after two dancers fell on it, bending the bell upwards, and Dizzy liked the change in tone that resulted.
When his first published book was slated by critic Jean Lorrain, the writer Marcel Proust challenged him to a duel. On February 5, 1897 they fired pistols from 120 paces but both missed.
Donald Trump has a star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame awarded in 2007 for hosting The Apprentice from 2004-2015.
The American jazzman Dizzy Gillespie was known for playing a ‘bent’ trumpet. It started after two dancers fell on it, bending the bell upwards, and Dizzy liked the change in tone that resulted.
When his first published book was slated by critic Jean Lorrain, the writer Marcel Proust challenged him to a duel. On February 5, 1897 they fired pistols from 120 paces but both missed.
Construction of Cologne Cathedral was completed on August 14, 1880, 632 years after it had begun. For the next four years, it was the tallest structure in the world.
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| The cathedral from the south by Velvet - Own work |
The word "slalom" is from the Morgedal/Seljord dialect of Norwegian slalåm: "sla," meaning slightly inclining hillside, and "låm," meaning track after skis.
Will Wright was inspired to create The Sims by the 1991 Oakland firestorm. He lost his home in the fire, and wanted to create a game that emulated his experience of rebuilding his life in the aftermath. The video game was first released on February 4, 2000.
Will Wright was inspired to create The Sims by the 1991 Oakland firestorm. He lost his home in the fire, and wanted to create a game that emulated his experience of rebuilding his life in the aftermath. The video game was first released on February 4, 2000.
The belief that all raw vegetables are healthier is a misconception. Some vegetables have nutritional content which only gets unlocked when cooked. Cooked asparagus, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, peppers and spinach are healthier than their raw counterparts.
President Martin Van Buren was the only US president to speak English as a second language. His first language was Dutch.
The lowest ever temperature in North America was recorded in Snag, Yukon, Canada on February 3, 1948 at −63.0 °C (−81.4 °F).
The lowest ever temperature in North America was recorded in Snag, Yukon, Canada on February 3, 1948 at −63.0 °C (−81.4 °F).
Madagascar and Indonesia currently produce two-thirds of the world's supply of vanilla between them.
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| Vanilla cultivation |
There's a maximum height that water can be sucked up a straw: 10 meters (34 feet). At this height, a perfect vacuum is created at the top of the straw, and water will begin boiling spontaneously
Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote about 750 poems in total including an elegy to his broken shaving pot.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote about 750 poems in total including an elegy to his broken shaving pot.
In 1956, the English composer Malcolm Arnold wrote his A Grand, Grand Overture for 3 Vacuum Cleaners, 1 Floor Polisher, 4 Rifles and Orchestra. He dedicated it to former US President Herbert Hoover.
Madonna became the first person in 2003 to receive Razzle awards for Worst Actress (Swept Away), Worst Supporting Artist (Die Another Day) and Worst Screen Couple (Swept Away).
Drinking milk used to be considered a luxury by the ancient Greeks and by the Romans.
Drinking milk used to be considered a luxury by the ancient Greeks and by the Romans.
King William III of England suffered from an irritating asthmatic cough. He was badly affected by the dank London river air and he disliked Whitehall Palace, his home in London. He therefore purchased Kensington Palace, which was further away from the Thames.
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| Kensington Palace south front, engraved by Jan Kip, 1724 |
Since Hindus don't eat beef, the McDonald's in New Delhi makes its burgers with mutton.
When the French Navy officially ceased using Morse Code on January 31, 1997, the final message they transmitted was "Calling all. This is our last cry before our eternal silence."
When the French Navy officially ceased using Morse Code on January 31, 1997, the final message they transmitted was "Calling all. This is our last cry before our eternal silence."
Duffel bags are named after a town of Duffel, Belgium, where the bags were first made.
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| US military-issued duffel bags By Bahamut0013 |
"Typewriter" is one of the longest common words that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard along with "proprietor", "perpetuity" and "repertoire". The longest top-row word of all is "rupturewort" (a plant used to treat hernias).
Nikola Tesla predicted the modern cell phone in 1926. He said in the January 30, 1926 issue of Collier's magazine: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but...we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face... a man will be able to carry one in his pocket.”
The female Victorian aristocracy in Britain would change their clothes at least four times a day.
During the Cold War, MI5 planned to use gerbils at airports to help detect terrorists and secret agents.
Nikola Tesla predicted the modern cell phone in 1926. He said in the January 30, 1926 issue of Collier's magazine: “We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance. Not only this, but...we shall see and hear one another as perfectly as though we were face to face... a man will be able to carry one in his pocket.”
The harmless Whale Shark holds the title of largest fish, with the record being a 59 footer captured in Thailand in 1919.
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| Whale shark Pixibay |
The female Victorian aristocracy in Britain would change their clothes at least four times a day.
During the Cold War, MI5 planned to use gerbils at airports to help detect terrorists and secret agents.
The original idea behind Marge Simpson's blue beehive hairstyle in The Simpsons was to conceal large bunny ears. The gag was intended to be revealed in the final episode of the first series, but they weren't expecting the show to last for so long.
In the 1950s Jonas Salk declined to patent his polio vaccine. "There is no patent," he said. "Could you patent the sun?"
The world's largest snowflakes were reported to have been during a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887. They were 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick.
The world's largest snowflakes were reported to have been during a snowstorm at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887. They were 15 inches (38 cm) wide and 8 inches (20 cm) thick.
Canterbury Tales author Geoffrey Chaucer was captured by the French during the 100 Years War. King Edward III paid £16 for his ransom.
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| Geoffrey Chaucer (17th cent) |
Ancient Greek brides and grooms were known to use cheesecake as a wedding cake.
Once a giant clam picks a spot to live on a reef, it does not move for the rest of its life
The first nationally broadcast radio soap opera was Clara, Lu, and Em, which aired on the NBC Blue Network at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on January 27, 1931. The storylines centered on three women who lived in a small-town duplex and the programs were sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive.
Once a giant clam picks a spot to live on a reef, it does not move for the rest of its life
The first nationally broadcast radio soap opera was Clara, Lu, and Em, which aired on the NBC Blue Network at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on January 27, 1931. The storylines centered on three women who lived in a small-town duplex and the programs were sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive.
In the 19th century clerks stood up to do their work.
The British Board of Film Classification was forced to on January 25 and 26, 2016 to watch a ten-hour film of paint drying on the wall before it could give it an age rating. The film was not censored; it was rated as a "U" (Universal) with "no material likely to offend or harm".
The British Board of Film Classification was forced to on January 25 and 26, 2016 to watch a ten-hour film of paint drying on the wall before it could give it an age rating. The film was not censored; it was rated as a "U" (Universal) with "no material likely to offend or harm".
The planet Uranus has a peculiar magnetic field, whose axis is tilted at 60° to its axis of spin, and is displaced about one third of the way from the planet's center to its surface. According to one astronomer, "Uranus is a geometric mess."
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| Uranus pictured as a featureless disc by Voyager 2 in 1986 |
During World War II, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, population 75,000, used one seventh of all US electricity to process uranium for the atomic bomb.
John Faulkner, the world’s oldest jockey, rode his last race at the age of 74, a steeplechase in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. He died on January 25, 1933 aged 104 having fathered 32 children.
John Faulkner, the world’s oldest jockey, rode his last race at the age of 74, a steeplechase in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. He died on January 25, 1933 aged 104 having fathered 32 children.
Palov is the national dish of Uzbekistan. A main course typically made with rice, pieces of meat, and grated carrots and onions, legend has it that it was invented by the cooks of Alexander the Great.
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| Palov By Utilisateur:Atilin Wikipedia |
U2's lead singer Bono is almost never seen in public without sunglasses, as he suffers from glaucoma and is sensitive to light.
Cheetahs were raced at London's Romford greyhound stadium in 1937.
Cheetahs were raced at London's Romford greyhound stadium in 1937.
The inside of a tornado is filled with blue lightning, and many little tornadoes. The air is smooth, not turbulent, but hard to breath.
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| A tornado near Anadarko, Oklahoma, |
A chemical in toothpaste causes your bitter taste buds to overreact, causing food to taste funny after you brush your teeth.
On January 23, 1956, Cleveland forbade its under 18 citizens from dancing at rock and roll concerts, citing a municipal legal anomaly from 1931. Thirty years later, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was opened on the lakefront in Cleveland.
On January 23, 1956, Cleveland forbade its under 18 citizens from dancing at rock and roll concerts, citing a municipal legal anomaly from 1931. Thirty years later, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was opened on the lakefront in Cleveland.
The Turks are so into their coffee that their word for ‘breakfast’ translates literally to ‘before coffee.’
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| Pixabay |
Canada actually comes from the word 'Kanata', a Huron or Iroquois word for village, and Canada is a 'big village'.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam opened the first departure lounge for cattle on January 22, 1988. Food and drink were served to cows in transit.
In 1710 there were over 500 coffeehouses in London, occupying more premises than any other trade in the city.”
The largest doughnut ever made was an American-style jelly donut weighing 1.7 tons (3739 lbs.), which was 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter and 16 inches (40.6 cm) high in the center. It was made in Utica, New York, USA on January 21, 1993.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam opened the first departure lounge for cattle on January 22, 1988. Food and drink were served to cows in transit.
Siberia covers 77 per cent of Russia. If Siberia were independent, it would be the largest country in the world.
In 1710 there were over 500 coffeehouses in London, occupying more premises than any other trade in the city.”
The largest doughnut ever made was an American-style jelly donut weighing 1.7 tons (3739 lbs.), which was 16 feet (4.9 m) in diameter and 16 inches (40.6 cm) high in the center. It was made in Utica, New York, USA on January 21, 1993.
"Buffalo Bill” Cody earned his nickname after shooting 4,280 bison in 17 months in 1867-8.
Uruguay is the only country whose name in English has the same letter three times in its first five.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States was in Montana. On January 20, 1954, −70 °F or −56.7 °C was measured at a gold mining camp near Rogers Pass. The only colder temperature recorded in the entire United States was in Alaska in 1971.
John F Kennedy was inaugurated as president of the United States on a particularly cold day in Washington DC on January 20, 1961. Despite the frozen weather, he was the first American president to dispense with a hat reflecting the trend for more casual dress and going about one's business hatless.
Andrew Johnson was thought to be drunk when he was sworn in as vice president in March 1865
On January 19, 1994, children from a school in Hackney, East London were barred from seeing Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet because their headmistress, Jane Brown, claimed it was "too hetrosexual."
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States was in Montana. On January 20, 1954, −70 °F or −56.7 °C was measured at a gold mining camp near Rogers Pass. The only colder temperature recorded in the entire United States was in Alaska in 1971.
John F Kennedy was inaugurated as president of the United States on a particularly cold day in Washington DC on January 20, 1961. Despite the frozen weather, he was the first American president to dispense with a hat reflecting the trend for more casual dress and going about one's business hatless.
Andrew Johnson was thought to be drunk when he was sworn in as vice president in March 1865
On January 19, 1994, children from a school in Hackney, East London were barred from seeing Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet because their headmistress, Jane Brown, claimed it was "too hetrosexual."
The second century AD Roman charioteer Gaius Appuleius Diocles was the highest paid sportsman of all time. His winnings reportedly totaled 35,863,120 sesterces, which is the equivalent today of about $15 billion.
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| Gaius Appuleius Diocles. By Zemanta |
The average color of the universe is a light beige. Scientists have christened the color “cosmic latte.”
The wedding of King Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York on January 18, 1486, saw the first recorded use of fireworks in Britain.
The wedding of King Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York on January 18, 1486, saw the first recorded use of fireworks in Britain.
UPS uses brown uniforms and delivery trucks. The company trademarked the color so other delivery companies cannot use a brown logo.
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| 2000s propane-fueled package car in Montreal By JasonVogel |
Cockroaches can flatten themselves almost to the thinness of a piece of paper in order to slide into tiny cracks.
The chow chow originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and served as a draft, guard, hunting and flock dog.
The chow chow originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and served as a draft, guard, hunting and flock dog.
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| Chow Chow Pixibay |
Robert Falcon Scott took several footballs to the South Pole and a selection of board games.
The first American conversion to Christianity was a native Indian guide in 1540.
A bloodhound called Ludivine joined the Elkmont Half Marathon in Alabama on January 16, 2016, after her owner let her out to go pee. She ran the entire 13.1 miles and finished seventh.
The first flower grown in space, a zinnia, bloomed on January 16, 2016. It was grown in the Veggie plant growth facility on the International Space Station.
The Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was fanatic about football. His daughter Galina recalled: "He not only knew every footballer's name by heart, but he also kept records to compare match results," especially of his team Zenith Leningrad.
Between January 14 and January 15, 1972, the temperature in Loma, Montana, swung from -54°F to 49°F, landing the record for the greatest temperature swing in 24 hours.
A bloodhound called Ludivine joined the Elkmont Half Marathon in Alabama on January 16, 2016, after her owner let her out to go pee. She ran the entire 13.1 miles and finished seventh.
The first flower grown in space, a zinnia, bloomed on January 16, 2016. It was grown in the Veggie plant growth facility on the International Space Station.
The Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was fanatic about football. His daughter Galina recalled: "He not only knew every footballer's name by heart, but he also kept records to compare match results," especially of his team Zenith Leningrad.
Between January 14 and January 15, 1972, the temperature in Loma, Montana, swung from -54°F to 49°F, landing the record for the greatest temperature swing in 24 hours.
The Snickers chocolate bar was named after the Mars family’s favorite horse.
For Pope Francis’s visit in 2015, traffic police in Manila were issued with 2,000 nappies so they never had to leave their posts.
Sea turtles have a built-in GPS. They use the earth’s magnetic field to navigate their epic voyages.
Sea turtles have a built-in GPS. They use the earth’s magnetic field to navigate their epic voyages.
Gary Turner from Lincolnshire, England, holds the world record for the stretchiest skin. He is able to stretch the skin of his belly to a length of 15.8cm (6.25in) due to an extreme form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare disorder of the connective tissues.
Clay often contains some water because the water molecules stick to the tiny grains.
Fear of the number 13 is triskaidekaphobia. On Friday January 13, 2017, Finn Air's flight 666 left for HEL (Helsinki) at 13:00 on a 13-year-old aircraft. They arrived safely.
Fear of the number 13 is triskaidekaphobia. On Friday January 13, 2017, Finn Air's flight 666 left for HEL (Helsinki) at 13:00 on a 13-year-old aircraft. They arrived safely.
Before the introduction of the whistle in the early 1870s, soccer referees waved a white handkerchief.
The total length of the world’s coastline is around 217,490 miles, roughly the distance from the Earth to the Moon.
All In The Family first came on the air on January 12, 1971, It gave us the first toilet flush in sitcom history.
All In The Family first came on the air on January 12, 1971, It gave us the first toilet flush in sitcom history.
The Indus Valley civilization, at around 3000BC, sealed clay tablets with a unicorn emblem.
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| Unicorn seal of Indus Valley, Indian Museum By Royroydeb |
Louis XIV of France had a coat with 123 diamond buttons on it.
Unemployment was so high in England in 1634 that Charles I compelled the demolition of a newly erected mechanical sawmill because it threw so many sawyers out of work.
Unemployment was so high in England in 1634 that Charles I compelled the demolition of a newly erected mechanical sawmill because it threw so many sawyers out of work.
The t-shirt first came into vogue in the 1940s when the US Navy introduced a limited cotton undershirt of this style. The American troops would often strip off to their underwear in the tropical heat.
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| US Merchant Marine sailor in 1944 |
The oldest reference to a collapsible umbrella in written records dates to the year 21 AD, when Wang Mang had one designed for a ceremonial carriage.
Domestic cats purr at about 26 cycles per second, which is around the same frequency as an idling diesel engine.
J.R.R Tolkien served as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the First World War. He fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, but later got trench fever and returned home.
Charles II became the first English King to go to the theatre when he attended an opera called The Siege of Rhodes.
The first public museum in America was established in Charleston in 1773.
On January 9, 1386, a sow was convicted by an ecclesiastical court of murdering a young child and hanged in Faliase, France. The executioner was paid ten sous and ten deniers for his efforts in dragging and then hanging the pig.
On January 9, 1493, Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, thought he saw three mermaids. They were "not as pretty as they are depicted, for somehow in the face they look like men." Most likely they were manatees, which are slow-moving aquatic mammals with human-like eyes, large faces and paddle-like tails.
Flirting in public has been illegal in New York since the state introduced a bill outlawing it on January 8, 1902.
Domestic cats purr at about 26 cycles per second, which is around the same frequency as an idling diesel engine.
J.R.R Tolkien served as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the First World War. He fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, but later got trench fever and returned home.
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| Tolkien 1916 |
Charles II became the first English King to go to the theatre when he attended an opera called The Siege of Rhodes.
The first public museum in America was established in Charleston in 1773.
On January 9, 1386, a sow was convicted by an ecclesiastical court of murdering a young child and hanged in Faliase, France. The executioner was paid ten sous and ten deniers for his efforts in dragging and then hanging the pig.
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| Illustration from Chambers Book of Days depicting a sow being tried for the murder of a child |
On January 9, 1493, Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, thought he saw three mermaids. They were "not as pretty as they are depicted, for somehow in the face they look like men." Most likely they were manatees, which are slow-moving aquatic mammals with human-like eyes, large faces and paddle-like tails.
Flirting in public has been illegal in New York since the state introduced a bill outlawing it on January 8, 1902.
The invention of typing correction fluid is credited to Bette Nesmith Graham. She was the mother of the late Monkees band member Mike Nesmith.
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| Liquid Paper products on display at The Women's Museum in Dallas, Texas |
The first novel written on a typewriter is said to be Mark Twain's Adventures Of Tom Sawyer in 1876.
All adult rainbow trout are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most vivid in breeding males.
All adult rainbow trout are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most vivid in breeding males.
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| Typical adult rainbow trout |
In 1589 The Roman Catholic cardinal Philip Howard was accused of treason having reputedly prayed for the success of the Spanish Armada. He was found guilty, but his life was spared as the courts decided that a prayer cannot be construed as treason.
Glenn Miller's mother worried about him playing the trombone so much. She said "Pop and I used to wonder if he'd ever amount to anything."
Truman Capote is believed to be the inspiration for the character "Dil" in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Truman Capote is believed to be the inspiration for the character "Dil" in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
The Romans didn't wear trousers because it was seen as uncivilized and only Barbarians wore pants.
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| Germanic trousers of the 4th century. By PBullenwächter |
The Manhattan Cocktail (whisky and sweet vermouth) was invented for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother, Jennie Jerome.
According to Guinness World Records, the Machineel tree of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico is the world's most dangerous tree. Its sap can cause blisters or blindness. You can't eat it, touch it, or burn it without injury!
According to Guinness World Records, the Machineel tree of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico is the world's most dangerous tree. Its sap can cause blisters or blindness. You can't eat it, touch it, or burn it without injury!
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| Machineel Tree by Daniel Lobo |
The Scottish writer Robert Louis Stephenson dashed off his Treasure Island story in 1881 while on holiday in Braemar. He was kept indoors by the damp Scottish weather and started on the story partly to amuse his stepson, Lloyd.
Nelson Mandela's favorite dish was tripe. It was included on the menu for his 94th birthday.
Ukraine's national dish, a delicacy known as salo, is made of cured pork fat.
Ukraine's national dish, a delicacy known as salo, is made of cured pork fat.
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| Salo with pepper, closeup |
The ukulele is said to have been invented in 1879 in Hawaii. People got the idea from small 4-stringed guitar-like instruments known as cavaquinhos brought to the island by Portuguese immigrants, mainly from Madeira and the Azores
Sheep have excellent memories for the faces of both other sheep and humans. Cambridge scientists in 2001 showed that a sheep can recall the faces of 50 other sheep for more than two years.
Apple Computer was incorporated as Apple Inc on January 3, 1977. Steve Jobs named the company "Apple" partially because he wanted it to appear in the phone book before Atari, his former workplace.
Apple Computer was incorporated as Apple Inc on January 3, 1977. Steve Jobs named the company "Apple" partially because he wanted it to appear in the phone book before Atari, his former workplace.
In the 1937 Disney animation Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, only one of the dwarfs doesn’t have a beard — Dopey.
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| Walt Disney introducing the dwarfs in the trailer of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. |
Hillary Clinton revealed in 2014 that she hasn't driven a car in 20 years.
Charles Lindbergh was selected as the first Time magazine "Man of the Year" (for 1927), appearing in its cover on January 2, 1928, and remains the youngest individual (age 25) to receive the designation.
Charles Lindbergh was selected as the first Time magazine "Man of the Year" (for 1927), appearing in its cover on January 2, 1928, and remains the youngest individual (age 25) to receive the designation.
The thresher shark was named for its thresher-like tail, which can be as long as its entire body. It uses its tail as a weapon to stun prey.
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| Small purple colored thresher caught at Pacifica Pier, California. By Paul E Ester |
The Rotokas language of Papua New Guinea has a 12-letter alphabet, the world's smallest.
Samuel Pepys made a New Year resolution on New Year's Eve 1661 to "abstain from plays and wine." (It didn't work out.)
New Year is a way bigger deal than Christmas in Russia. In fact, gifts are exchanged there at midnight on New Year's, rather than on Christmas Day.
Samuel Pepys made a New Year resolution on New Year's Eve 1661 to "abstain from plays and wine." (It didn't work out.)
Nyepi is a day of silence celebrated every Balinese New Year. Security men walk the streets silencing everyone in order to fool evil spirits that all the people have left.
The DJ Carl Cox played the Millennium (1999 to 2000) on New Year's Eve twice, by performing in Sydney, Australia and again in Hawaii after flying back over the International Date Line.
The DJ Carl Cox played the Millennium (1999 to 2000) on New Year's Eve twice, by performing in Sydney, Australia and again in Hawaii after flying back over the International Date Line.
The Time Square New Year's Eve Ball came about as a result of a ban on fireworks in 1907. For the first time that year, a ball was dropped in New York City's Times Square to signify the start of the New Year at midnight in 1908.
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| The 2008 ball (on display at Times Square Visitors Center) |
On New Year's Eve 2014, 835 of 1000 police officers meant to be on duty in Rome phoned in sick.
The people of Samoa missed December 30, 2011. This was because the nation of Samoa observed the same time as the Samoa Time Zone until it moved across the International Date Line at the end of December 29, 2011 making it 24 hours (25 hours in summer) ahead of American Samoa. As a result, the date of December 30, 2011 was omitted in Samoa.
The people of Samoa missed December 30, 2011. This was because the nation of Samoa observed the same time as the Samoa Time Zone until it moved across the International Date Line at the end of December 29, 2011 making it 24 hours (25 hours in summer) ahead of American Samoa. As a result, the date of December 30, 2011 was omitted in Samoa.
The 13th century Mongol Empire was the world’s largest continuous land empire of all time. The map below shows the boundary of the 13th-century Mongol Empire compared to today's Mongolia. The red area shows where the majority of Mongolian speakers reside today.
Grover Cleveland was the only US president who was also a hangman. When he was the sheriff of Erie County he hung 2 people.
Facebook is blue, Instagram is blue, Tumblr is blue, Twitter is blue. The color blue relieves stress.
Facebook is blue, Instagram is blue, Tumblr is blue, Twitter is blue. The color blue relieves stress.
Mark Twain first learned to ride a bicycle at age 55.
In Cleveland, Ohio, it is illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.
When a 15,000-gallon vinegar vat at the HP Sauce factory in Birmingham, England burst on December 28, 1956, houses were flooded as far as a quarter of a mile away. Nobody was injured but the smell lasted for weeks.
When a 15,000-gallon vinegar vat at the HP Sauce factory in Birmingham, England burst on December 28, 1956, houses were flooded as far as a quarter of a mile away. Nobody was injured but the smell lasted for weeks.
As a nun at Nevers, Saint Bernadette helped nurse wounded casualties of the Franco-Prussian war.
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| Saint Bernadette in 1866, |
Karl Marx once applied for a job as a railway clerk. He was rejected as his writing was so atrocious.
Studies have shown that classical music helps cows produce more milk.
Studies have shown that classical music helps cows produce more milk.
The Egyptian boy king Tutankhamun is thought to have had a club foot and was buried with 130 staffs and walking sticks.
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| Wooden bust of the boy king, found in his tomb. Wikipedia |
The words turtle, tortoise and terrapin are often used interchangeably but the general rule is to call them tortoises if land-based, turtles if river or sea-based, and terrapins if amphibian.
The "Good King Wenceslaus" of the carol was the 10th century Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia. Wenceslaus I took a vow of celibacy and spent much of his time in acts of piety, affairs of state and prayer.
The "Good King Wenceslaus" of the carol was the 10th century Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia. Wenceslaus I took a vow of celibacy and spent much of his time in acts of piety, affairs of state and prayer.
The name "Boxing Day" comes partly from the British custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year.
Time magazine chose the personal computer as its Person Of The Year on December 26, 1982, the first non-human ever. Ironically, the writer of the story wrote it on a typewriter, since Time's newsroom would not get computers for another year.
Rudyard Kipling wrote the first ever King's message on Christmas Day 1932 for George V, an epic of 251 words. Just before the broadcast, the king fell through his wicker armchair. He exclaimed "God bless my soul!" and delivered his lines.
Rudyard Kipling wrote the first ever King's message on Christmas Day 1932 for George V, an epic of 251 words. Just before the broadcast, the king fell through his wicker armchair. He exclaimed "God bless my soul!" and delivered his lines.
Under the rules of the Gregorian calendar, Christmas Eve falls less often on a Tuesday than any other day of the week, but Christmas Day is more often on a Tuesday than any other day except Thursday.
"Xmas" stems from Greece. The Greek "X" is a symbol for Christ.
Queen Charlotte, the German wife of George III erected Britain’s first Christmas tree at Windsor Castle on December 24, 1800 for a children's party. It was illuminated with wax candles and had sweets and small gifts hanging from the branches. The Christmas tree soon became wildly fashionable in high society, but it took 40 years for them to catch on with other classes in the UK.
Queen Charlotte, the German wife of George III erected Britain’s first Christmas tree at Windsor Castle on December 24, 1800 for a children's party. It was illuminated with wax candles and had sweets and small gifts hanging from the branches. The Christmas tree soon became wildly fashionable in high society, but it took 40 years for them to catch on with other classes in the UK.
The first published image of a Christmas tree (see below) was the frontispiece to Hermann Bokum's 1836 The Stranger's Gift.
In Japan, Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day. People don't spend Christmas with family (most people in Japan are Buddhist), but instead Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents.
The Illustrated London News published the first-ever Christmas supplement by a newspaper on December 23, 1848, with an illustration of the royal family by their Christmas tree at Windsor (see below).
The Illustrated London News published the first-ever Christmas supplement by a newspaper on December 23, 1848, with an illustration of the royal family by their Christmas tree at Windsor (see below).
Christmas trees are eaten by various zoo animals. According to Berlin Zoo, elephants eat 5 trees at a single sitting.
The use of the word Noel at Christmas derives from the French phrase "Les bonnes nouvelles" meaning "the good news."
The first Christmas tree decorated with electrical lights on it was put up by Edward Johnson, President of the Edison Electric Company, on December 22, 1882. At the time, many people mistrusted electricity and thought that dangerous vapors would seep into their homes through the lights and wires.
The first Christmas tree decorated with electrical lights on it was put up by Edward Johnson, President of the Edison Electric Company, on December 22, 1882. At the time, many people mistrusted electricity and thought that dangerous vapors would seep into their homes through the lights and wires.
The use of turkey to mean a bad film or play comes from a 19th century American habit of serving bad turkeys between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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| Pixiebay |
The song "White Christmas" ended the Vietnam War in 1975 – it was used as the radio code signal for the evacuation of Vietnamese people who had assisted the US from Saigon.
On December 21, 1981, a code of practice limited ice-cream vans to no longer than four seconds of chimes at a time in the United Kingdom.
It's been estimated that it would cost $23,439.38 to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the song the "Twelve Days of Christmas."
The largest Christmas cracker in the world was made by the children and parents of Ley Hill School in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England on December 20, 2001. The cracker measured 63.1 m (207 ft) long and 4 m (13 ft) in diameter and was made of: 200m 6" a 2" timber, half a mile of cardboard, 1300 bolts, 1000 nails, 500 screws and half a mile of plastic tape. It was filled with festive hats, jokes and toys and was pulled apart by 40 people.
On December 21, 1981, a code of practice limited ice-cream vans to no longer than four seconds of chimes at a time in the United Kingdom.
According to Hallmark, the most popular Christmas card of all time, is an image of three cherubic angels, two of whom are bowed in prayer. The third peers out from the card with big, baby blue eyes, looking at the reader. First published in 1977, that card has sold 34 million copies.
It's been estimated that it would cost $23,439.38 to buy your "true love" all the gifts in the song the "Twelve Days of Christmas."
The largest Christmas cracker in the world was made by the children and parents of Ley Hill School in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England on December 20, 2001. The cracker measured 63.1 m (207 ft) long and 4 m (13 ft) in diameter and was made of: 200m 6" a 2" timber, half a mile of cardboard, 1300 bolts, 1000 nails, 500 screws and half a mile of plastic tape. It was filled with festive hats, jokes and toys and was pulled apart by 40 people.
A Christmas Carol is Hollywood's most filmed book. It has been filmed on average every three years.
The Deep Sea Clam of the North Atlantic takes around 100 years to reach the length of just one third of an inch.
Chen Si is a Chinese man who has spent every weekend since December 19, 2003 voluntarily patrolling the world's most popular suicide site. As a result, he has prevented over 400 people from jumping over the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.
Chen Si is a Chinese man who has spent every weekend since December 19, 2003 voluntarily patrolling the world's most popular suicide site. As a result, he has prevented over 400 people from jumping over the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.
The Puritans banned Christmas pudding in the 1650s. King George I, who loved the dish, lifted the ban in 1714.
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| By Matt Riggott from Edinburgh, Scotland - Christmas Pudding Wikipedia |
The average age of a Christmas tree when it’s sold is 15 years old.
The most Christmas trees chopped in two minutes is 27 by Erin Lavoie of the USA. The American achieved his feat on the set of Guinness World Records in Germany, on December 19, 2008.
The turkey is native to America. After the Spaniards conquered Mexico, they introduced the bird into Europe. The turkey is the only new edible animal species to be introduced to Europe from the New World.
The turkey is native to America. After the Spaniards conquered Mexico, they introduced the bird into Europe. The turkey is the only new edible animal species to be introduced to Europe from the New World.
The video for Wham's "Last Christmas" was the last time that George Michael was filmed without a beard.
The Canary Islands were not named for a bird called a canary. They were named after a breed of large dogs.
80 per cent of the world's zippers are manufactured in Qiaotou, a dusty town in Zhejiang Province, China.
The term "Christmas card" first seen in 1869, predates “birthday card” by more than 30 years.
80 per cent of the world's zippers are manufactured in Qiaotou, a dusty town in Zhejiang Province, China.
The term "Christmas card" first seen in 1869, predates “birthday card” by more than 30 years.
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| 19th-century American Christmas card |
In India, Banana or Mango trees are sometimes decorated as Christmas trees.
In 1949 UNICEF produced the first charity Christmas card.
In 1949 UNICEF produced the first charity Christmas card.
Seven out of ten British dogs get Christmas presents from their owners.
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| Pixiebay |
Lighting the brandy on the Christmas pudding represents Christ’s passion, the holly his crown of thorns.
The turkey bird gets its name from Turkish merchants who traded similar birds in Europe. In Turkey, the word for "turkey" is "hindi", meaning "India."
The turkey bird gets its name from Turkish merchants who traded similar birds in Europe. In Turkey, the word for "turkey" is "hindi", meaning "India."
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| Turkey |
Computer pioneer Alan Turing was also a world class distance athlete. He had a personal best marathon time of 2:46:03, achieved in 1946.
The total of all the gifts that were given in the song "Twelve Days of Christmas" is 365, one for each day of the year.
In 1659 in Boston, Massachusetts, the celebration of Christmas was banned with any one found guilty of observing Christmas liable to pay a fine of five shillings. The ban lasted for over 20 years before being repealed.
In 1659 in Boston, Massachusetts, the celebration of Christmas was banned with any one found guilty of observing Christmas liable to pay a fine of five shillings. The ban lasted for over 20 years before being repealed.
Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," released in 1942, is the best-selling Christmas song of all time.
Serdar Berdimuhamedow is the President of Turkmenistan. At 14 letters, he has the longest surname of all the world's presidents.
Yakutsk in Siberia, Russia, is probably the coldest city on earth. The average January temperature is -40C (-40F).
Yakutsk in Siberia, Russia, is probably the coldest city on earth. The average January temperature is -40C (-40F).
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| Theater in Jakutsk (Yakutsk), Russia. |
San Antonio, Texas is the most populous city in the U.S. without a pro sports team.
A London confectioner, Tom Smith, invented the Christmas cracker in 1847.
The ancient Egyptians used a mixture of water and citrus juice to wash their hair.
The ancient Egyptians used a mixture of water and citrus juice to wash their hair.
Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 6 weeks at a time when he was in debt to his publisher and lawyer.
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| A Christmas Carol-Title page-First edition 1843. |
Werner Erhard of San Francisco sent 62,824 Christmas cards in a single year - the largest number ever sent by one individual.
Peanut butter is an effective way to to remove chewing gum from hair or clothes.
Peanut butter is an effective way to to remove chewing gum from hair or clothes.
It was a British engineer Richard Whitehead who invented the self-propelled torpedo. Whitehead was the manager of a factory in Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia). A prototype of the world's first self-propelled torpedo was constructed in Fiume in 1866.
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| Robert Whitehead (right) examining a battered test torpedo in Fiume c. 1875. |
11% of all pet rabbits have tooth decay due to their owners feeding them too many carrots.
In India, cinnamon is commonly used in making flavoured tea. It is known as "Daal-Cheeni."
In India, cinnamon is commonly used in making flavoured tea. It is known as "Daal-Cheeni."
Tug of war was an Olympic event until after the 1920 Olympics. Multiple teams from countries were allowed, which is how the U.S. won bronze, silver, and gold in 1904.
In 1934, Citroën introduced its Traction Avant, the world's first mass-produced front-wheel drive car.
The tall white chef hats traditionally have 100 pleats to represent the hundreds of ways an egg can be prepared.
The tall white chef hats traditionally have 100 pleats to represent the hundreds of ways an egg can be prepared.
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| Le Chef de l'Hôtel Chatham, Paris (c. 1921), oil on canvas by William Orpen |
The original manuscript of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite was found on December 9, 1946 in wastepaper bought to cover the walls of a flat in St Petersburg, then Leningrad.
Italian footballer Giuseppe Lorenzo holds the record for the fastest-ever sending off in a professional match; The Bologna man was sent off after just 10 seconds on December 9, 1990 in a match against Parma for hitting an opponent.
The first date on which an actress appeared on a public stage in Britain is thought to be December 8, 1660. On that date either Anne Marshall or Margaret Hughes appeared as Desdemona in Shakespeare's play Othello. at the Vere Street Theatre, London. We are not sure, which actress it was as no one thought to record the trailblazing actress’ name.
The first date on which an actress appeared on a public stage in Britain is thought to be December 8, 1660. On that date either Anne Marshall or Margaret Hughes appeared as Desdemona in Shakespeare's play Othello. at the Vere Street Theatre, London. We are not sure, which actress it was as no one thought to record the trailblazing actress’ name.
The last picture taken of John Lennon while he was alive had his killer in the frame. Photographer Paul Goresh took a snap of Lennon signing Mark Chapman's Double Fantasy album.
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| Lennon signing a copy of Double Fantasy for Chapman Wikipedia |
Martin Luther King confessed in a 1965 sermon of his secretary having to remind him of his wife's birthday and the couple's wedding anniversary.
Cardinal Richelieu’s elder brother Alphonse de Richelieu, was the first Frenchman to consume chocolate.
Cardinal Richelieu’s elder brother Alphonse de Richelieu, was the first Frenchman to consume chocolate.
John Wycliffe's 1384 English translation of the Bible had to be written out laboriously by hand and it took a copyist nine months to produce one copy at a cost of £40.
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| John's Gospel in Wycliffe's Bible |
A bullet fired from a Lee Enfield .303 rifle directly up into the air would take about 55 seconds to land.
The small, round Chiltepin chilli pepper was used as a tax payment, paid to Aztec emperors.
The King of France obtained a ceasefire during the 100 Years War so he could visit Saint Thomas Becket's tomb at Canterbury.
The small, round Chiltepin chilli pepper was used as a tax payment, paid to Aztec emperors.
Chimpanzees clear their throats for the same reasons that humans do.
William the Conqueror built the White Tower, which later became part of the Tower of London to intimidate the London citizens. It is said that he ordered bull’s blood to be mixed with the mortar symbolising strength, a royal power that would last forever.
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| The White Tower in the 15th century |
The King of France obtained a ceasefire during the 100 Years War so he could visit Saint Thomas Becket's tomb at Canterbury.
Cattle branding was practiced 4,000 years ago. Old tomb paintings show Egyptians branding their fat, spotted cattle.
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| digitalcollections.nypl.org |
Chocolate contains a chemical theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. It affects their heart and nervous system, and a few ounces are enough to kill a small-sized dog.
A tin of Frank Cooper's Oxford marmalade taken by Robert Falcon Scott on his 1911 Antarctic exhibition was found in his tent in 1960. It was still edible.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City hung Matisse's paper-cut Le Bateau ("The Boat") upside-down for 47 days, until Genevieve Habert, a stockbroker, noticed the mistake on December 4, 1961 and notified a guard.
A tin of Frank Cooper's Oxford marmalade taken by Robert Falcon Scott on his 1911 Antarctic exhibition was found in his tent in 1960. It was still edible.
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| Le Bateau |
Approximately eleven minutes are cut off the life of an average male smoker from each cigarette smoked.
When 103-year-old Harry Stevens married 84-year-old Thelma Lucas at the Caravilla Retirement Home in Wisconsin on December 3, 1984. Harry became the oldest bridegroom in history.
When 103-year-old Harry Stevens married 84-year-old Thelma Lucas at the Caravilla Retirement Home in Wisconsin on December 3, 1984. Harry became the oldest bridegroom in history.
The original pyjāmā were loose, lightweight trousers fitted with drawstring waistbands worn by Muslims in India.
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| Muslim men in paijamas Bombay, 1867. By Chintamon, Hurrichund |
Harry S Truman was so near-sighted, he cheated and memorized the army's eye chart in order to enter the Missouri National Guard in 1905.
Rick Smith, Jr. from Cleveland, threw a playing card a world record 65.96 meters (216 feet, 4 inches) on December 2, 2002. This is also the current record for the fastest throw, clocked at 148 kilometres per hour (91.96 mph).
Rick Smith, Jr. from Cleveland, threw a playing card a world record 65.96 meters (216 feet, 4 inches) on December 2, 2002. This is also the current record for the fastest throw, clocked at 148 kilometres per hour (91.96 mph).
The word "chutney" is derived from the Sanskrit word caṭnī, meaning to lick.
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| Chutney Pixabay |
Winston Churchill had the same governess, Miss Hutchinson, as another future British prime minister, Clement Attlee.
Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean is the most remote island in the world. It was claimed for Norway on December 1, 1927. The nearest land is the uninhabited Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, over 1,600 km (994 mi) away to the south. The nearest inhabited lands are Tristan da Cunha, 2,260 km (1,404 mi) away and South Africa, 2,580 km (1,603 mi) away.
Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean is the most remote island in the world. It was claimed for Norway on December 1, 1927. The nearest land is the uninhabited Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, over 1,600 km (994 mi) away to the south. The nearest inhabited lands are Tristan da Cunha, 2,260 km (1,404 mi) away and South Africa, 2,580 km (1,603 mi) away.
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| Red mark indicates Bouvet Island |
During the French Revolution, rebels in Paris identified themselves by wearing trousers instead of the knee-length ‘culottes' of the bourgeoisie. Women rebels demanded the right to wear trousers as well, but were forbidden from doing so.
The earliest record of a trombone dates to the early 15th century. In Braunschweig, Germany, city records for 1403 indicate a salary payment of "2 shawms and a trombone." (2 piperen unde enen bassuner).
Every year, the season of spring gets 30 seconds to one minute shorter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Every year, the season of spring gets 30 seconds to one minute shorter in the Northern Hemisphere.
John B Stetson created the Stetson hat after being diagnosed with tuberculosis and moving to the American West for the climate. He realized the cowboys' various headgear was impractical and came up with a lightweight, all-weather hat suitable for the West.
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| Stetson |
The first event at the Olympic Games in 396 BC was a trumpet contest: the winner played the fanfare for all the other events.
While the capsaicin in chili peppers may burn and irritate the flesh of mammals, birds are completely immune to its effects.
While the capsaicin in chili peppers may burn and irritate the flesh of mammals, birds are completely immune to its effects.
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| By Takeaway - Own work, Wikipedia |
Chins tends to be more pointed and triangular on human females, while more square shaped on human males.
The Tower of London is guarded by 37 Yeoman Warders, who were originally formed in 1485 by Henry VII. Their Beefeater nickname may come from their meat diet. In 1813, the daily ration for 30 men on duty was 24lb of beef, 18lb of mutton and 16lb of veal.
There are 923 words in the English language that break the "I before E" rule. Only 44 words follow that rule.
There are 923 words in the English language that break the "I before E" rule. Only 44 words follow that rule.
Until the mid-19th century, the Banda Islands were the world's only source of nutmeg.