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 […]
An earlier Commonplace post noted that the music of Britney Spears is one of the most effective deterrents to Somali pirates. Lest that be construed as some kind of derogatory judgment on […]
To be a good practical joker, you need to have patience. Timing of a joke is everything. By that measure, Charles Vance Millar had all the makings of being one of the […]
With the average annual cost of a college education being in excess of $25,000, schools are eager to give plenty of opportunities for students to spend that money. Traditional college degrees in […]
Special thanks to The Zebra for this infographic with 10 fun facts about the strangest state lines and landmarks in the USA. Check out the infographic below, and be sure to stop at these […]
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada is a magnificent, luxurious structure. Nestled in some of Canada’s most beautiful surroundings, hotel visitors can expect to enjoy breathtaking vistas, comfortable accommodations, […]
Fresh from its victory against the British in the War of 1812, the United States was eager to secure its northern border. Lake Champlain had been the entry point for several British […]
In 1956 anthropologist Horace Miner reported his findings of a study of a strange, curious grooming techniques of a group of people from Nacirema, a territory between the Canadian Cree, the Yaqui […]
The world’s largest dam isn’t man-made; it was built by beavers and is still under construction. Located in Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada, beavers began constructing their dam in 1975. […]
You may have heard about the National Petroleum Strategic Reserve or even the National Helium Reserve. Have you ever heard of the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve?
Actor James Doohan (1920-2005) is mostly known for the 23rd century exploits of his character Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek. Less widely known are his heroics in the 20th century — […]
In some Inuit cultures of Canada, it’s an act of appreciation to fart after an enjoyable meal. Source
The Earl of Lonsdale accepted a bet from his friend John Pierpoint Morgan that no man could circumnavigate the globe, on foot, without being recognized. The wager didn’t end there. By 1908, […]
Toronto attorney Garry Hoy (1955 – 1993) fell to his death after he threw himself through the glass wall on the 24th floor of the Toronto-Dominion Centre in order to prove the […]
The flag of Nova Scotia was only officially adopted in 2013, after 155 years of use, when an 11 year-old girl researching a project realized that it had never been officially recognized […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 