A real-life flying aircraft carrier? Meet the USS Akron, the giant Navy airship that launched planes in midair before crashing in one of aviation history’s strangest disasters.
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The role of the First Lady of the United States, an influential yet unofficial position, has been occupied by fifty-three women. These women, ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt to Dolley Madison, have shaped history through their influence, social roles, and advocacy, despite their lack of constitutional power. Each deserves recognition for their contributions. Learn these fun…
What invokes happy memories of summer better than the popsicle? The cool, refreshing delight of a juicy frozen treat on a hot day can seem like manna from heaven. The next time you enjoy this iconic taste of summer happiness, take a moment and express gratitude to the 11-year-old boy who invented it. The young…
Some people achieve such fame that they can be known by last name only. Say the name of Einstein, Beethoven, or Descartes, and no one will ask you to elaborate. Perhaps this was one reason Pablo Picasso aspired to the greatness he ultimately achieved. Imagine how much easier it was to be known as “Picasso”…
The IRS has diverse tax laws, including regulations on kidnapping and bribes. Payments for ransom may affect dependent claims, and all income types, including illegal ones, are taxable. Despite its outdated systems, the IRS ensures compliance and offers exceptions for penalties on late returns, while adapting to modern needs remains challenging.
President Warren G. Harding enjoyed going horseback riding on Sunday mornings. At the insistence of First Lady Florence Harding, the president had to be back in time to go to church with her. It was up to his Secret Service agent, Col. Edmund Starling, to make sure the reluctant church-goer did not disappoint his wife.…
Every four years we get to experience the phenomenon known as Leap Year. One additional day is added to the calendar to account for the fact that it takes about 365.25 days for the earth to make a full orbit of the sun. Here’s a pop quiz to test your knowledge about Leap Year. What…
Have you ever wondered how you are supposed to refer to that nation that is home to Queen Elizabeth II? Are you supposed to call it England? Great Britain? The United Kingdom? Those who live there may think they have it all figured out, but the rest of us can still get confused. If you…
Why the BBC Show “Today” Helps Hold Doomsday at Bay If you are a fan of the BBC, the thought of your favorite program going off the air might seem like a sign of the end of the world. If that favorite program happens to be the radio show Today, brace yourself; if it isn’t on…
By some miracle, you have survived the disaster that has ushered in the apocalypse. Perhaps it was a nuclear war, asteroid strike, pandemic, or even zombies. Scarcely a month has gone by, and you are desperate for any kind of human contact. At last, you hear a knock on your door. You peer outside and…
It seemed impossible that such a precious commodity could be in such short supply. The nation had endured great challenges, knowing that more days of sacrifice lay ahead. Even so, no one expected a toilet paper shortage in the United States of America. Frantic customers flocked to the stores, desperate to stock up on the…
Ever hear of “grawlix” “briffit” “plewds” or “nittles”? Welcome to the weird world of comic strip and cartoon vocabulary.
President Calvin Coolidge was certainly gifted with talent and intelligence. Even so, he was quick to point to an even more important quality that ultimately is responsible for a person’s success. Coolidge said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.…
Just when you thought it was safe to step outside and relax in the blissful tranquility of nature, it’s time to meet a real-life combination of Bambi and Dracula: the vampire deer.
In 1977, The Guardian published a fictitious 7-page supplement celebrating the nonexistent island nation of San Serriffe, leading to widespread public interest. Conceived as an April Fool’s prank, it featured humorous wordplays and a semicolon-shaped map. The story sparked inquiries from travel agents and inspired various fan sites and publications.
Drop a piece of buttered toast on the kitchen floor, and we all know what is going to happen. It will land buttered-side down, of course. At least, that’s what we expect, but is that merely the assumption of Murphy’s Law? Thanks to exhaustive research, we now know whether the Buttered Toast Phenomenon is reality…
