“Stopped.” That was the last word spoken by Joseph Henry Green (1791-1863). The English surgeon spoke that word upon checking his own pulse. Read the last words and epitaphs of the famous […]
The Doctor Who Pronounced His Own Death
An Artist Who Put Himself Into His Work
Mark Gruenwald was best known for his work with Marvel Comics and serving as Executive Editor of Captain America and Iron Man. After a fatal heart attack in 1996, an interesting request […]
Did Bugs Bunny Save Mel Blanc’s Life?
It is not possible to speak at any length about the animated cartoon industry without mentioning Mel Blanc. He provided voices in over 3,000 cartoons for over 400 different characters, including over 100 […]
Et tu, Next Breath?
One of the most famous assassinations in history took place on March 15, 44 BC. Julius Caesar was attacked by a group of Roman senators and stabbed to death. William Shakespeare famously […]
Last Words to an Astonished Nun
Irish playwright Brendan Behan was known for his sardonic wit. It is unknown whether it was this quality or distraction by his circumstances that led him to utter his last words to […]
Was Tycho a Psycho? Weird Facts About One of History’s Greatest Astronomers
Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) was one of the greatest astronomers to ever live. He was also probably at least a little bit off his gourd if history is to judge. The Danish astronomer […]
Jefferson’s Grave Omission
How do you briefly describe a life when the life is that of Thomas Jefferson? In his 83 years Jefferson succeeded in leaving an indelible impression on the nation he helped create. To […]
Man’s Best Friend Inspires a Heart-Touching Tribute
When Frank Inn found the fluffy black-and-tan mixed breed dog in a Burbank, California animal shelter, little did he know what a treasure he had uncovered. Inn named the dog Higgins and […]
It Always Pays to Plan Ahead
Sir Max Beerbohm is best remembered as an English essayist and caricaturist. Perhaps more attention should be paid to his practice of planning ahead. As he was getting ready to draw his […]
Disagreeable or Not, Guess What Happened?
When a concerned visitor expressed fear that actor John Barrymore’s latest illness would result in his death, Barrymore indignantly replied, “Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such […]
Consider the Consequences of Marriage
One has to marvel at how much Miss Fannie loved Mr. Licker to have agreed to take his name: source
A Friend of Petty Criminals, Prostitutes and/or Republicans
From the obituary of Louis J. Casimir Jr.: Louis J. Casimir Jr. bought the farm Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, having lived more than twice as long as he had expected and probably […]
What Happens When Buffalo Butt, Old Fart, Funny Face, and Thunder Child Mourn Beef/Pork/Bubba?
From the obituary of James Robert “Beef” Ward: James Robert “Beef” Ward, 39, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2005, at O.S.U. East Hospital. He will be sadly and sorely missed by his […]
Appropriate Name in the End
In the late 1880s, Lester Moore worked as a Wells Fargo Station Agent in the Mexico-United States border town of Naco, Arizona. One day a man named Hank Dunstan arrived at the […]
Maybe He Should Have Chosen Easier Words to Remember
Harry Houdini, the famed magician and escape artist who died in 1926, left in his will 10 random words to his wife. He stated in his will that she should hold a […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 