The first Siamese cat in the United States was named Siam and came from — drumroll, please — Siam. OK, that’s not all that fascinating. It isn’t where the cat originated that […]
The First Siamese Cat in the USA Lived in the White House
Pursuing Peace, Professional Pickle Packers Propose Punting Problems, Purposefully Propelling Pickles
Commonplace Fun Facts has documented some curious political movements, such as the candidacy of Vermin Supreme, the Monster Raving Looney Party, and the presidential candidate whose running mate didn’t vote for her. […]
The Canadian Nuclear Disaster That Changed a U.S. Presidency
When Ontario’s Chalk River NRX nuclear reactor melted down in December 1952, it drew the attention of the world. It was history’s first nuclear reactor meltdown, and scientists, politicians, and people from […]
46 Fun Facts About the 46 Presidents
Updated January 20, 2021 to include the 46th President, Joe Biden. In honor of Presidents’ Day, here are some fun facts about the 45 men who served as the 46 Presidents of […]
The Day Carter Cleaned Up the Launch Codes
If the President of the United States ever needs to do the unthinkable and order the use of nuclear weapons, he cannot rely on name recognition alone. The process for launch authorization […]
When Rabbits Take On the World’s Most Powerful Men
When the vicious, decapitating Rabbit of Caerbannog appeared in the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, most people thought it was humorous. If Napoleon Bonaparte and Jimmy Carter had watched the film, it’s doubtful […]
The President’s Finger on the Button: Disaster, Dessert, or POTUS Pranks?
Hollywood has immortalized the image of the fate of the world resting on a shiny red button on the desk of the President of the United States. With a single press of […]
Three POTUS Portrayals
Senator Robert Dole, upon seeing a picture of former presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Richard Nixon lined up at an official event, pointed them out and identified them, in turn, as […]
Happy Birthday to the Chief
UPDATED August 29, 2022 Birthdays are always a time of celebration, whether you live in a small shack or the White House. How much do you know about Presidential birthdays? February may […]
Hail to the Short Chief
“Hail to the Chief” has been the official anthem of the President of the United States for well over 150 years. The song is instantly associated with power, prestige, and position. Ironically, it […]
Translator Wanted — Knowledge of the Language Preferred
When a fake sign language interpreter managed to get the job of interpreting during the funeral for Nelson Mandela, President Jimmy Carter must have had flashbacks to a time that his life was […]
And His Finger Was on THE Button?
A former Secret Service agent reported a time when President Jimmy Carter was using the restroom and pushed a button that he thought would flush the toilet. It actually was a panic […]
Comedian-in-Chief
Not a lot of people were laughing on September 22, 1862. The Civil War was about a year and a half old, and it was proving to be much more trying than […]
Do You Think Maybe He Didn’t Care for Them?
PJ O’Rourke P.J. O’Rourke is not known for holding back when he has a strong opinion. This is how he described those who made up the administration of President Bill Clinton: “Those […]
“This is Jimmy Carter…. I’d Like to Report a UFO, Please.”
Excerpt from Jimmy Carter’s UFO ReportPresident Jimmy Carter reported seeing an unidentified flying object while at Leary, Georgia, in 1969. While governor of Georgia, Carter was asked to file a report of […]
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