In Babylon’s criminal justice system, the people were governed by a code of justice and the king who wrote that code. These are their stories. Welcome to Law and Order: Hammurabi’s Code […]
Law & Order – Hammurabi’s Code Division
The Ungovernability of Cheese Lovers
Charles De Gaulle had more than his share of frustrations during his tenure as President of France. He summed up the difficulties of the job when he asked, “How can you govern […]
Finland’s Reflecting Reindeer Plan … And How It Turned Out
Once upon a time, there was a reindeer. It was a very special reindeer because part of its body glowed brightly in the night. If it weren’t for that unnatural light source, […]
That Time a Prime Minister Got Drunk and Called a National Election
As a public service, we at Commonplace Fun Facts remind our readers that there are a lot of good reasons to avoid alcohol. It is detrimental to your health, is addictive, impairs […]
Saddam Hussein Used ‘I Will Always Love You’ As His Campaign Theme Song
Political campaigns and popular music seem to go together. Whether it is “Happy Days Are Here Again” in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 campaign, John F. Kennedy’s use of “High Hopes” in 1960, […]
Which Presidents Took the Oath of Office the Most Times?
Presidential trivia aficionados are quick to identify the president who was in office the least amount of time (William Henry Harrison) and the one who served the longest (Franklin D. Roosevelt). There […]
You May Be a Member of the Militia Without Knowing It
Do you like to watch war movies? Do you dream of performing heroic deeds? Do you wonder how snappy you would look in a military uniform? Can you see yourself in the […]
George and His Stamp Collection
George had a thing for postage stamps. You might say it was his passion.
When Whistling Was a War Crime
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy describes the Marketing Department of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as: “A bunch of mindless jerks who’ll be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.” […]
Before She Was a Chef Julia Child Cooked Up a Secret Recipe for a Spy Agency
One of the biggest names in cuisine is Julia Child (1912-2004). The celebrated chef gained worldwide fame as a television personality and author. She is credited for popularizing French cuisine in the […]
That Time the United States Had an Emperor
Suppose fortune fails to smile upon you. Despite your best efforts at gaining wealth, you are bankrupt and have no professional skills to speak of. You could give up and embrace a […]
Congress Got Rid of Lunatics But Kept All the Idiots
If you ever decide you’d like to learn all of the laws of the United States, you will need to grab a copy of the United States Code (or you can read […]
Colombia Clashes With Cocaine Hippos
It’s bad enough that Colombia has to deal with the ever-present problem of cocaine trafficking. Now it has to deal with “cocaine hippopotamuses,” as well.
The Russian Beard Preservation Law, Otherwise Known as the Russkaya Pravda
Facial hair used to be important in Russia. No, you don’t understand. It was REALLY important! We know this because of the Russkaya Pravda (Rus’ Justice or Rus’ Truth), one of the […]
Kentucky Lawyers and Politicians Are Required to Disavow Dueling
In this increasingly-contentious society, it is easy to find oneself choosing sides. Standing your ground and defending a position may put you at odds with others. Sometimes emotions can be so intense […]
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