Among the most beloved Christmas carols is “O Holy Night. It was written to commemorate the renovation of the church organ in Roquemaure, France. Town native Placide Cappeau wrote the lyrics in […]
O Holy Night — Merry Christmas to All
How One Man Owns All of a Country’s Bread for One Week
Some people like bread. I mean they really like it. They can consume several loaves a day and still want more. Some may even dream about buying all the bread in the […]
Be Prepared for Something of Great Interest to Follow
It was a cold night in the Atlantic Ocean. The crew ship that was operated by the United Fruit Company thought it was going to be an ordinary evening. Then the radio […]
A Sailor, A Prayer, and a Purposeful Life
Lieutenant King heard the alarm and rushed to duty. It was December 1944. His ship was facing its biggest battle of World War II. The mighty USS Monterey had been in service […]
When is Easter? It’s Complicated….
Independence Day in the United States falls on July 4, year after year. New Year’s Day is always on the first of January. Christmas occurs on December 25, unless you are part […]
What Does an Ancient Pickle Recipe Teach Us About Baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament of the Christian faith that is associated with the public declaration that an individual has renounced his or her old ways and has entered into a new life […]
Deliver Us From Weevils — The Time a Town Put a Bunch of Insects on Trial
Something was bugging the people of St. Julien. The “something” was a bug. A bunch of them, actually. Weevils were threatening the peace and prosperity of the French town. Criminal trespass to […]
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 […]
Some of the Best Things that Didn’t Get Said
One of the most effective ways to illustrate a point is to use a profound quote from a great historical figure. While there is no shortage of such gems, there are a […]
Reagan Reflects on Reason for Christmas
“Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeer, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a […]
Merry Christmas!
Skye, the official Commonplace Fun Facts Canine Consultant, Contributor, and Commander-in-Chief has remained vigilant throughout the night to safeguard Santa’s passage down the chimney.
Happy Thanksgiving
Skye, the official Commonplace Fun Facts canine contributor, consultant, and — well, let’s face it — she basically calls all the shots around here — can’t wait to dive into the holiday […]
Calvin Coolidge Makes Short Work of Long Sermon
Preachers and politicians often share the quality of loquaciousness. That doesn’t mean they necessarily appreciate or tolerate that quality in each other.
If I Were the Devil
Paul Harvey was one of the most popular radio personalities for nearly sixty years. Starting his career at the age of 14, he continued to broadcast until his death at 90. His […]
The Weird, Wonderful, Wacky, and Whimsical Writings of Sir Thomas Urquhart
Certain historical figures are worth studying for the sheer entertainment value. Near the top of that list would be Sir Thomas Urquhart, the Scottish author of the 17th century. What can we […]
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