Commonplace Fun Facts

Colorblindness: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why Your Charts Are the Problem

Explore colorblindness: what it is, common myths, causes, everyday challenges, and surprising advantages in this humorous, informative guide.

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April 4, 2026April 4, 2026

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Cleopatra Lived Closer in Time to the Moon Landing than the Construction of the Great Pyramid

Did you know that Cleopatra lived closer in time to the moon landing than to the construction of the Great Pyramid? Find out more here.
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Those Times When Planetary Alignment Messed With Earth’s Gravity

Remember when the planetary alignment of the Jupiter Effect briefly canceled gravity?
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Augustine’s Words About Those Who Do Not Travel

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” — St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354 – A.D. 430) Read more great quotes. Read about the sovereign citizen movement and why they insist they are “traveling” instead of “driving.”
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Are You Psychic Enough to Find All the Pineapples in “Psych”?

Fans of the hit television show Psych are familiar with “Psychic Detective” Shawn Spencer and his incredible skills of observation and recall. The 120 episodes that aired between 2006 and 2014 showcased Spencer’s abilities to solve even the most head-scratching crime. It may take powers of observation equal to Spencer’s to identify something that showed…
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The Banqiao Dam: The Worst Structural Failure in History Was Kept a Secret for 30 Years

What Caused the Disastrous Banqiao Dam Failure? When the Hindenburg exploded in 1937, killing 36 people, it made headlines around the world and earned a lasting place in history. Titanic’s sinking, causing the death of more than 1,500 people is an infamous event that can never be forgotten. Why is it, then, that when a…
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That Day Elvis Showed Up at the White House

Not just anyone can walk up to the gates of the White House, ask to see the President and be taken seriously. Of course, the man who did that on December 21, 1970, was no ordinary man. He was a king. More precisely, he was the king. His royal title did not give him access…
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The Lost Roman Concrete Recipe: Secrets of Ancient Durability Explored

Discover why ancient Roman concrete remains unmatched in durability compared to modern methods. Learn the secrets the lost Roman concrete recipe and its fascinating history.
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We Dare You to Look at D.A.R.E. — The Extravagant Anti-Drug Program That Increased Drug Abuse

Schools around the country were quick to subscribe to D.A.R.E., the massive anti-drug educational program. Despite the big push and massive federal funding, we dare you to find positive results.
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Owning a Piece of the Yukon — One Square Inch at a Time

Real estate has always been a potentially-lucrative investment tool. Thanks to an unlikely realtor, more than 21 million children were given the opportunity to become landowners in the Yukon Territory and begin their journeys to become wealthy real estate barons — one square inch at a time.
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Triboulet the Jester: How Quick Wit Saved a Legendary Court Jester’s Life

Discover the incredible story of Triboulet, the jester whose sharp wit entertained kings and saved his own life. Learn about court jesters and their fascinating role in history.
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Take a Shot at Guessing Why Picasso Carried a Gun

No one wants to be misunderstood, and being a great artist does not give you an exemption from this rule. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) had a particularly-memorable way of discouraging anyone from questioning the meaning of his works.
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Steve McQueen’s Less-Than-Cool Beginning with the Marines

Steve McQueen (1930-1980) may have been known as the “King of Cool” during the height of his Hollywood popularity, but before that, he had a less than stellar career with the U.S. Marines. McQueen had failed to find his calling during the first 17 years of his life. In 1947 he decided to join the…
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Tongue Tied Over Tie Tying Types?

Half Windsor, full Windsor, bow-tie, four-in-hand…. If you recognize these as different types of necktie knots, you are substantially ahead of most guys, who struggle to master one style. Some of us may dare to attempt to learn a different style, only to give up after a few choke-inducing twists of fabric. At this stage,…
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Winston Churchill and Hitler’s Foiled Plot of Exploding Chocolate

Given Winston Churchill’s well-known fondness for food, it stands to reason that doctors warned him about the health risks of eating too many sweets. Little did they know just how dangerous certain chocolate might prove to be for the prime minister.
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Relativity: the Ultimate Youth Serum

Mankind has been seeking a way to slow down aging since the very beginning. As it turns out, the best way to slow time is to move faster.
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