One of the most famous opening passages of any novel comes from a book that is hardly recognized today. George Bulwer-Lytton introduced the world to Paul Clifford in 1830 with the words, […]
It Was a Dark and Stormy Opening Line
What Was the Most Boring Day in History?
History is filled with dates that will live in infamy. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; the December 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor; and the November 23, 1963, assassination of John […]
The Unkillable General Adrian Carton de Wiart
In the realm of science fiction, one of the most formidable fighters of all time is a Terminator. These robotic soldiers from the future are the ultimate killing machine because they are […]
From Baseball to Fire and Brimstone — How Billy Sunday Transformed American Evangelism
He seemed to be born for baseball. William Ashley “Billy” Sunday was born on November 19, 1862. Seven years later, the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was founded. Billy […]
Interesting, Curious, and Freaky Facts about the Mighty Hoover Dam
When it comes to dams, there are plenty to consider. There is China’s Three Gorges Dam that is so big that it slows the earth’s rotation. There is another Chinese dam whose […]
The Hymn Writer and the President
Frances and Stephen were unlikely friends. For one thing, she was seventeen years his senior. Beyond the obvious difference in their ages, the two could not have been more different.
How a Chef’s Flash of Inspiration Created the Nachos
Ignacio was faced with a dilemma. Like all other chefs, he was always looking for novel dishes that would draw new customers. Rarely did he have to come up with something new […]
If I’m Lying May I Be Afflicted By Beasts, Leprosy, Wretchedness, and Sea Monsters
If you have attended court proceedings or watched a televised legal drama, you are familiar with the process of swearing in a witness. Before testimony can be accepted, the individual must “solemnly […]
Listen to One of the Hardest Piano Pieces Ever Written
If you are looking for a piece of piano music that will test your skill and patience, you would be hard-pressed to find anything that compares to Opus Clavicembalisticum. Written by English […]
The First Driver to Exceed 100 km/h and His Freaky Prediction About His Death
It seems that every week brings reports of new advancements with electric vehicles. It’s easy to think electric cars are a new phenomenon, but they are nearly as old as the automobile, […]
Prisencolinensinainciusol — The Nonsensical Hit Song that Sounds Like English to Non-English Speakers
Italian pop star Adriano Celentano wrote a song that rose to hit No. 1 on Italy’s music charts but wasn’t in Italian. It was inspired by English, but its words weren’t from […]
Learn What Prompted The Most Intelligent Photo Ever Taken
When John F. Kennedy welcomed a gathering of Nobel Prize winners at the White House in 1962, he said, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, […]
The First Email Was a Typo and Took an Hour to Send
Have you ever waited impatiently for an important email, wishing your internet connection wasn’t so slow? When that email arrived, did it generate more questions than answers? If that has been your […]
How Arthur’s Secret Obsession Changed the World
If it was little known and uncommon, there was a good chance that Arthur would be drawn to it. His curious mind naturally gravitated toward things that polite society shunned. It was […]
The Unlikely Origin of One of the Best-Loved Christmas Songs
It is almost impossible to imagine Christmas without thinking of all the songs that go with the day. There are enough holiday tunes to fill the season, and many are so beloved […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 