Abraham Lincoln is one of the most-recognized figures in history. If you ask anyone to describe him, inevitably you will hear that he was tall, wore a stovepipe hat, and had a […]
The Girl Responsible for History’s Most Famous Beard
Saddam Hussein Used ‘I Will Always Love You’ As His Campaign Theme Song
Political campaigns and popular music seem to go together. Whether it is “Happy Days Are Here Again” in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 campaign, John F. Kennedy’s use of “High Hopes” in 1960, […]
Getting Votes Through Hypnosis
Political campaigns are notorious for accusations about opposing candidates. More than one politician has accused the opposing candidate of brainwashing his or her supporters. As far as we have been able to […]
JFK’s Jestful Jabs Jar Journalists
During the 1960 presidential campaign, Richard Nixon was hospitalized with phlebitis. John Kennedy called a moratorium on criticizing his opponent as long as he remained in the hospital. Kennedy was questioned about […]
Meet Vermin Supreme and Ride Your Pony Into a Zombie-Powered Future
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2, 2021 to reflect the 2020 election season. Readers of Commonplace Fun Facts have already encountered a political candidate who openly declares himself to be insane, a man who couldn’t […]
When Insanity Campaigns, Undisguised
You have to admire someone who can go through the rigors of a political campaign, lose, and be able to shake it off and get on with life. What about a man […]
It’s Pretty Bad When Your Own V.P. Won’t Vote for You
History was made on May 9, 1872 when the National Woman’s Suffrage Association nominated Victoria Woodhull as their candidate for President of the United States. Even the most casual observer would have […]
And You Thought This Election Season Was Nasty?
Every election season sees pundits bemoan the negativity of modern campaigns. We are often left with the idea that things used to be a lot more gentlemanly. Negativity is nothing new in […]
The Devil is in the Details
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was unquestionably experienced when it came to military matters, but in 1952 he was a novice concerning politics. In the midst of his first campaign for the presidency, one […]
Matlock Goes After Sheriff Andy Griffith
Andy Griffith as attorney Ben Matlock (left) and as Sheriff Andy Taylor (right) Andy Griffith (1926-2012) was well known as the actor who played Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, […]
Thanks for the Endorsement… I Think
When Theodore Roosevelt ran for Governor of New York in 1898 he enlisted the help of some of his comrades-in-arms from the Spanish-American War. These men were all-too-eager to sing the praises […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 