The Great Fire of London (1666): Strange Facts Behind the Famous Disaster
The Great Fire of London wasn’t just a disaster—it was full of odd decisions and strange moments. Here are the quirkiest facts from 1666.
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Professor of Metaphysico— what?
Read more: Professor of Metaphysico— what?Dr. Pangloss in Voltaire’s book Candide, was a professor of “metaphysico-theologo-cosmonigology.” This is a fictional philosophy that satirizes the optimistic belief that everything is created for the best and will work out fine. source
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Word Compression
Read more: Word Compression“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” — President Abraham Lincoln
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Reading for Pleasure
Read more: Reading for Pleasure“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” — Clarence Darrow
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Thinking of Better Times
Read more: Thinking of Better Times“I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t it.” — Groucho Marx
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W.C. Fields: A Bank Account in Every City
Read more: W.C. Fields: A Bank Account in Every CityFind out why W.C. Fields opened bank accounts throughout the country in fictitious names.
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When A Man Sues Himself, He Should Be Prepared to Lose
Read more: When A Man Sues Himself, He Should Be Prepared to LoseWhen a man sues himself, he should be prepared to lose. That’s what happened to Robert Lee Brock.
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His Heart Is Broken, So Now He Wants His Kidney
Read more: His Heart Is Broken, So Now He Wants His KidneyDivorces generally involve broken hearts, but how often do they address kidneys? When Dr. Richard Batista donated his kidney to his wife, Dawnell, in 2001, he undoubtedly thought that kidney would remain in the family. Seven years later as their marriage disintegrated, Batista decided he wanted the kidney back. The petition for divorce asked for…
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Hey, You Turkey…. I’m Batman, Turkey!
Read more: Hey, You Turkey…. I’m Batman, Turkey!In 2008 Hüseyin Kalkan, the mayor of the city of Batman, Turkey, threatened to sue Warner Bros. and the director The Dark Knight, for using the name “Batman” without the city’s permission. “There is only one Batman in the world,” Kalkan said. “The American producers used the name of our city without informing us.” Kalkan’s allegations…
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A King So Nice They Crowned Him Twice
Read more: A King So Nice They Crowned Him TwiceRobert the Bruce (1274 – 1329) was crowned King of Scots on March 25, 1306, by Bishop William de Lamberton at Scone, near Perth, Scotland.
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With a Little Help From My
FriendAdversaryRead more: With a Little Help From MyThe SR-71 Blackbird was one of the greatest tools of espionage ever built. Flying at speeds of Mach 3, it could out-fly any enemy fighter or surface-to-air missile. In addition to its unmatched speed, the design of the aircraft made it nearly invisible to radar. In short, it was a technological marvel that gave the…
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Other Opportunities
Read more: Other OpportunitiesPresident Ronald Reagan was not someone who let a disappointment get in the way of greatness. The opening words to his presidential memoir: “If I’d gotten the job I wanted at Montgomery Ward, I suppose I would never have left Illinois.”
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Not a Good Candidate for a 30-Year Mortgage
Read more: Not a Good Candidate for a 30-Year MortgageThe lifespan of a mayfly, once it reaches the adult stage, ranges from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the species. source
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The Wit and Wisdom of WC Fields
Read more: The Wit and Wisdom of WC FieldsWC Fields (1880 – 1946) was one of the greatest comedic geniuses of all time. Recognized on sight for his distinctive large, red nose, enhanced by his love for liquor, Fields was also well known for his ability to turn a phrase: “I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast.” When asked, “How do…
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Silence Is No Shield To Criticism
Read more: Silence Is No Shield To CriticismPresident Calvin Coolidge did not say much, but he certainly caused others to say quite a bit about him. Unfortunately, not all of it was particularly flattering: When Coolidge showed up to take his seat after being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, one of his new colleagues looked at him and said, “This…
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“State of the Art” From a 21st Century Vantage Point
Read more: “State of the Art” From a 21st Century Vantage PointThe super-sophisticated, miracle machine of the 20th century was the guidance computer for the Apollo rockets. This technological marvel made it possible for manned flight to and from the moon. Developed by MIT in the 1960’s, it was one of the first integrated-circuit devices. It had a clock speed of 2.048 MHz — about one…
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A Buttload is an Actual Unit of MeasurementFebruary 5, 2020
