Commonplace Fun Facts

The 1927 White House Renovation and the Overdue Bill to the King of England

Calvin Coolidge, the 1927 White House renovation, and the deadpan joke that Britain should get the bill for damage dating back to the War of 1812.

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May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

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Certain Rewards for Contributing to the Well-Being

“No man who continues to add something to the material, intellectual, and moral well-being of the place in which he lives, is left long without proper reward.” — Booker T. Washington
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How Thousands of Rubber Bath Toys Helped Unlock the Ocean’s Secrets

The container ship Ever Laurel was en route from Hong Kong to Tacoma, Washington. On January 10, 1992, it was only halfway to its destination when it encountered a violent storm. The ship survived, but twelve of its shipping containers were washed overboard. While the owners of those lost containers presumably wrote off their losses,…
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The True Story of the Pre-Teen Pirate of the Caribbean

John King, the youngest documented teen pirate in history, seized his dream of adventure after pirate Samuel Bellamy captured the ship Bonetta in 1716. Despite being only 8-11 years old, he joined Bellamy’s crew and raided ships in the Caribbean. Tragically, his life ended in 1717 when the Whydah sank in a storm.
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Contentment is the Enemy of Success

Novelist and short story writer Louis L’Amour (1908-1988) recognized the connection between success and motivation to pursue it. He said, “Nobody got anywhere in the world by simply being content.”
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Meet the Chimp Who Made a Monkey Out of Wall Street

A widely-held common belief tells us that only those with special education, training, and expertise are qualified to give investment advice. The world of Wall Street is far too complex for anyone who lacks bona fide credentials. Raven defied this conventional wisdom, however, by becoming one of the most successful money managers in the United…
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Made For Another World

British author and theologian C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) had a good explanation for the inability of mankind to find fulfillment. He said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
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The Story of Two Trials that Launched a Life of Greatness

George Jacobs was arrested for an unspeakable offense. He was innocent, as he loudly proclaimed to anyone who would listen, but his protests fell on deaf ears. Whatever her reasons, George’s granddaughter had accused him of such a despicable crime that there was nothing he could do to clear his name. He was tried, sentenced,…
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Encephalitis Lethargica: The Forgotten Zombie Epidemic of the 20th Century

Although largely forgotten today, an epidemic known as Encephalitis Lethargica swept across the world in the early 20th century. Learn about the lingering effects of this still-mysterious disease.
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Did Cleopatra’s Nose Change History?

Could something as seemingly insignificant as the size of a person’s nose change the course of human events? According to Blaise Pascal, the answer is yes. Pascal (1623-1662) was one of the most articulate thinkers of the past 500 years. His writings cover extensive concepts of Christianity, mathematics, physics, and philosophy. Because his mind contemplated…
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Drink Pepsi and Win a Jet — Or Maybe Not

In 1995, Pepsi launched the Pepsi Points promotion. The public was encouraged to drink as much Pepsi as possible with the promise of earning points with every purchase. These points could then be cashed in to purchase various merchandise. The promotion was announced with a commercial showing a teenage boy, getting ready for school. He…
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Some of the Articles We Never Got Around To

“How do you come up with ideas for articles on Commonplace Fun Facts?” Not a week goes by without that question being posed to members of the Commonplace creative team. The tone of the question typically implies that there is a shortage of interesting topics. In reality, we come across so many curiosities that the…
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James Dean and the Mysterious Story of His Cursed Porsche

The Curse of James Dean’s Porsche The death of James Dean on September 30, 1955, sent shock waves through Hollywood. The 24-year-old actor was cut down in the prime of life when he was involved in a head-on collision near Cholame, California. Despite his death at such a young age, Dean’s legend lives on. Another…
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It is Illegal to Resign from the British Parliament

Those who hold national elected office typically consider it a high honor, difficult to achieve, and easy to lose. This has not always been the case. Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that it is illegal to resign from the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
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Take a Lesson From a Dog’s Assessment

“If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” — Woodrow Wilson
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Big Bird Narrowly Avoided Dying in Space

For over 50 years, Sesame Street’s Big Bird has been one of the most iconic and beloved children’s characters. The 8-foot 2-inch (249 cm) bright yellow bird has been teaching children how to read and develop an interest in art, poetry, and any number of extracurricular activities. And he very nearly traumatized millions of children…
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