It was a chapter in American history that every decent person wishes had never been written. Slavery was legal — at least in some parts of the country. Slaves were viewed as […]
The Unlikely Lawyer Who Represented a Slave Owner
Which South American City Was Once the Capital of a European Nation?
A nation’s capital city is not only the seat of its government but is also a center of national pride. If a tourist can visit only one city, the capital is the […]
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 […]
Why Hanson Gregory is Remembered for Inventing Nothing
When you get to the end of your days, the last thing you want to hear is the solemn proclamation that you were responsible for nothing. You would likely defend yourself against […]
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 […]
Wigging Out on British Legal Customs
If you enjoy watching television programs that deal with the law, you have a good idea of what a courtroom looks like. It’s relatively easy to spot the lawyers, due to their […]
The Seven Convicts Who Launched a Revolution
As symbols of revolutions go, they aren’t the most inspiring examples. For one thing, they were all criminals. Yes, it is true that all would-be revolutionaries are criminals in the eyes of […]
A Bright Mind Suggested Using Bright Light For Winning Chess Strategy
Chess presents a near-infinite number of moves. Consequently, there is no shortage of self-proclaimed experts to offer helpful advice on how to master the game. As far back as A.D. 840, when […]
Spies, Invisible Ink, Toenails, and Other Declassified CIA Secrets
Secret messages written with invisible ink. It sounds like something straight out of a James Bond movie where the fate of the world rests upon the contents of the clandestine communication. It […]
School Holds Girls For Debt
It’s the little things that show up in our research that are often the most intriguing. For reasons we can’t seem to remember, our Research Department found itself pursuing Washington, D.C.’s Evening […]
Boy Scouts Are Not Considered a Private Military Force in Connecticut
As we pointed out in this article you may be a member of the militia without knowing it. That being the case, it’s only natural to assume the same about a group […]
The Girl Responsible for History’s Most Famous Beard
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most-recognized figures in history. If you ask anyone to describe him, inevitably you will hear that he was tall, wore a stovepipe hat, and had a […]
Acoustic Kitty: the CIA’s Failed Attempt to Train Cats as Spies
Cats are remarkable creatures. Partnering with some of the greatest minds in the scientific community, cats have authored scientific papers, been converted into a telephone, and transformed into glow-in-the-dark creatures of the […]
How the Goverment Made a Huge Mistake By Selling $1 Coins for $1
There is no one smarter, better experienced, or more capable of wise financial management than the United States government. Whoa! Mom wasn’t kidding when she told us what would happen if we […]
Colorado’s Constitution Describes the Wrong Boundaries
In the interest of full disclosure, the Commonplace Fun Facts editorial staff admits that we have a profound love of the state of Colorado. Its rich natural beauty and cultural heritage make […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 