No president had a greater battle with the press than Richard Nixon. He blamed the media for treating him unfairly throughout his political career and made no secret about it. He summed […]
The Presidency and Proctoscopes
Commending Your Brand of Craziness
Author Lani Lynn Vale offers wonderful words for the people in your life who seem to have waded a bit too far into the deep end of insanity: “I don’t understand your […]
When Mark Twain Needed the First Lady to Reassure His Wife
Mark Twain has a well-deserved reputation for not being intimidated by those in high authority. His self-assurance and disregard for the opinion of others allowed him to rub elbows with the most […]
How Mark Twain Lobbied a Little Girl on Behalf of an Ambassador
Mark Twain proclaimed himself to be politically neutral. Using the terminology of the day, he was a “Mugwump.” This allowed him a convenient excuse when people asked him to use his celebrity […]
FDR’s Fishing Trip and Near Exposure of His Bare Buns
Franklin D. Roosevelt went to great lengths to hide the fact that he had been paralyzed by polio. Disguising his disability became even more complicated after his election to the presidency. Everywhere […]
All 21st Century Women Are Supposed to be Amazons
Those who lived long ago, in a difficult-to-fathom age known by paleontologists as “the 20th century,” liked to imagine what life would be like in our era. They would likely be disappointed […]
The White House Crisis that Left the President and First Lady Black and Blue
“Come up here right away!” The White House staff is accustomed to responding immediately to any request from the First Lady. This command caused more than the usual flurry of activity, however. […]
How General Patton’s Latrine Became a National Hero
Many monuments have been inspired by the horrors of war. None is more significant than the graves of soldiers who were killed in combat. Battlefield burial sites stand as sober reminders of […]
JFK Checked to Make Sure Santa Was Safe From Russian Nuke Tests
With all the responsibilities that fall upon the President of the United States, it’s nice to know he has time to check in on the welfare of Santa Claus.
Peas Mean Something
We are frequently asked where we get our ideas for Commonplace Fun Facts. The question suggests a scarcity of interesting topics. In reality, the bigger challenge is “what NOT to write about.” […]
How to Give a Pill to a Cat
Anyone who has struggled to administer medication to a cat knows it is no easy task. Thankfully, the Canadian Veterinary Journal (Can Vet J. 2003 Apr; 44(4): 321.) offered the following tongue-in-cheek […]
It’s a Miracle! Wait… False Alarm
When bystanders saw the man rise from his wheelchair moments after being blessed by the Pope, they were aghast. A miracle had taken place in their midst! Or maybe not….
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 […]
Vinegar Valentines — When You Care Enough to Send Something Truly Insulting
The Victorian era is remembered for its civility and good manners. Valentine’s Day cards are synonymous with love and affection. Theoretically, that period should have produced nothing but elegant, heart-warming cards that […]
The Epic Prank that Became History’s Greatest Practical Joke
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) was an accomplished architect, designer, sculptor, and mathematician. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of Renaissance architecture and holds the distinction of being the first […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 