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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The Hidden Messages of Flower Meanings: What Do They Really Mean

Discover the surprising hidden messages to be found in flower meanings, including flower colors, numbers, and types in different cultures. Avoid common gifting mistakes with carnations, roses, and more!
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Surviving With This Degree May Require “A Little Help From My Friends”

If you are still trying to decide what you want to do when you grow up, and you don’t want to be a “Day Tripper” or a “Paperback Writer”, and if your idea of a perfect college experience is listening to a lot of music, you might consider getting a master’s degree as a Beatles…
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One Small Step for Man… One Giant Leap for Deadlines

Neil Armstrong’s footprints narrowly avoided being rejected as an astronaut. His application to NASA was one week late. Fortunately, Armstrong’s friend, Dick Day, worked at NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center and happened to notice the application when it arrived after the deadline. Day slipped the application into the pile of timely applications, thus paving the way for Armstrong’s…
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The Octopus: 11 Freaky Facts

Easily the most bizarre creature in the sea, the humble octopus is a cephalopod of many talents, with DNA like that of no other animal (described by one scientist as looking as though it had been rearranged in a blender). An octopus also holds the record for longest brood period of any creature, with one…
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Big Job for a Big Man

Much has been made about the fact that William Howard Taft was the largest President to hold office. The 5′ 11″ man topped out at 340 pounds, surpassing Grover Cleveland’s prior record of 280 pounds. (See this chart for a list of presidential heights, weights and BMIs). Generally good natured about his weight, Taft frequently…
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Time Waits for No Man … But Don’t Underestimate Illinois Politics

Baseball is one sporting event that doesn’t use a clock to regulate the length of its games. Ironically, it was a clock that was very much at the heart of one of Baseball’s most dramatic moments. The date was June 30, 1988. The Chicago White Sox wanted a new stadium to replace the run-down Cominsky…
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Bare Diplomacy

Prime Minister Winston Churchill was staying at the White House as a guest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. They had been discussing their vision for a new-and-improved League of Nations that would help secure the post-war peace. The President had a sudden inspiration for a name for this organization — the United Nations. He was excited…
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Go Ahead and Sleep In … You Have Extra Time

Does it feel as if time moves more rapidly as you get older? Cheer up, because that is a scientifically-proven myth. In reality, the days are getting longer. Due to the slowing of the earth’s rotation, days grow longer by about 1.7 milliseconds every century. Source
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One of the Oldest Nations Deserves the Longest National Anthem

Greece boasts the longest national anthem on record. “Hymn to Liberty” was written in 1823 and consists of 158 verses. To sing the entire song, it takes about one hour. Listen to the entire song below: Read more fun facts about music.
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Each Year Brings Pain … And Riches

Birthdays in Scotland come with a tradition of being greeted with a soft swat on the backside for every year of age. To make up for any offense, the recipient also receives a £1 note for every year, as well. Source
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A Slice of Birthday Gruesomeness

Danish children celebrate their birthdays by receiving a “cakeman.” The festive dessert is a cake baked and decorated to resemble the birthday child.
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President Who?

Harry Von Zell is remembered as the long-time announcer of the Burns & Allen radio and television programs, but he also has the dubious distinction of being responsible for one of the first bloopers to be broadcast on the air. The occasion was a birthday tribute to President Herbert Hoover, and Von Zell handled the narration…
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The First Thanksgiving Menu: What the Pilgrims Really Ate (No Popcorn Included)

What was on the first Thanksgiving menu in 1621? Not what you might have expected!
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Can’t Get Elected as President? Why Not King of the World?

Homer Aubrey Tomlinson (1892-1968) wanted to be a great leader. He tried running for President of the United States in five consecutive elections, beginning in 1952. When that didn’t pan out (nationwide, he got about 20 votes in 1964), he didn’t get discouraged; in fact, he set his sights even higher by declaring himself King…
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God Save the King — and Please Hurry Him Along!

Spectators at the Rathenau railway station in Brandenberg, Germany on February 9, 1909 hoped to get a chance to see United Kingdom’s King Edward VII. They got a bit more than they hoped for — specifically, a chance to hear the British national anthem, “God Save the King” played 16 or 17 times, while His…
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