When they found Michael Godwin, he was already dead. He was also on the toilet. We mention the location of his demise because it is relevant to this story, not because we […]
Fated to Die on the Toilet
The Draconian Lawgiver Who Was Killed By His Popularity
The word “draconian” is used to describe laws or methods considered particularly harsh and unforgiving. It is not the way any politician would seek to be described — particularly if seeking the […]
The Strange Fate of Oliver Cromwell’s Head
We all know someone who just can’t leave things alone. No matter how little the slight and regardless of how much time has passed, they have an irresistible compulsion to have the […]
Memorable Last Words of Famous People
Except for the person who has never spoken, everyone will utter his or her last words. Those words may be an expression of surprise, such as Julius Caesar’s famous, “Et tu, Brute?” […]
Mr. Accordion’s Revenge From the Grave
Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois is not your typical graveyard. It receives visitors from all parts of the world who come to pay their respects at the final resting place of […]
How much will kill you?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “poison” as “a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or absorbed.” At first glance, that seems to […]
Which War Killed One-Sixth of the World’s Population?
If you had to list the deadliest military conflicts in human history, which would take the #1 spot? The easy answer is World War II. With some estimates placing the death toll […]
Shakespeare’s Final Blessing and Curse
No writer is more celebrated than William Shakespeare. His plays and poems transformed literature, culture, and even the English language itself. Such a man should leave this life by writing his own […]
The Ironic End of the Scientist Who Discovered R.E.M. Sleep
Although we spend, on average, one-third of our lives sleeping, the scientific study of the activity is relatively new. Officially known as somnology, the study of sleep began in earnest in 1936 […]
The Ancient Egyptian Job That Earned Hatred If Done Right
Anyone who has ever watched a movie that features a mummy knows that running away from the mummy is what people invariably do. That’s how it is in science fiction, anyway. It […]
The Man Who Invented the Pringles Can Left This Life In One
An article from The Hob-bee Hive from 2010 lists ten clever uses for Pringles cans. Among the suggestions are using them to store yarn, turning them into coin banks, making them into […]
How an Unknown Drowning Victim Became The Most Kissed Person in the World
The young girl’s body was dragged out of the Seine River. Police investigators found no signs of trauma or a struggle. The utter absence of bruises and cuts led them to the […]
A Voice From Beyond and an Ill-Timed Joke
Funerals can be awkward events for most people. Those who show up to provide emotional support to the grieving family frequently find themselves at a loss for words. Repeated expressions of, “I’m […]
How a Medical Legend Maneuvered Celebrities into Treating AIDS Patients With Malaria
Each year 1-3 million people die from malaria. Another 1 million annually succumb to AIDS. You don’t need to be a physician to realize both of these diseases are pretty bad. Anyone […]
The Horrifying Hanging of Mary, the Circus Elephant Who Was Executed for Murder
When the sentence of death is carried out, it is always noteworthy. Mary’s execution was no exception. This particular use of capital punishment attracted even more attention than usual. People gathered from […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 