Nations have fought wars over seemingly insignificant objects. There was the bloody war about a bucket, the revolution that began with a dispute about an unpaid wig, and the big kerfuffle over […]
The Tree That Almost Caused a Second Korean War
A Sailor, A Prayer, and a Purposeful Life
Lieutenant King heard the alarm and rushed to duty. It was December 1944. His ship was facing its biggest battle of World War II. The mighty USS Monterey had been in service […]
The First Siamese Cat in the USA Lived in the White House
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 […]
Bob Dole on Doling Out the Housework
Bob Dole was accustomed to being the big name in his family. As long-time U.S. Senator from Kansas, Senate Republican Leader, 1976 Vice Presidential nominee, and 1996 Presidential nominee, he was recognized […]
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. […]
Two Hotheaded Boys and Two Patient Mothers
David and Leslie had a couple of things in common: each had volatile tempers, and both of them had mothers who believed those tempers could and should be controlled. David was known […]
The Time Air Force One Took Off But Never Landed
A common blessing among pilots is “May your skies be clear, your aim share, and your landings equal in number to your take-offs.” Indeed, there would generally be concern about any flight […]
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 […]
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 […]
Being President Doesn’t Make You Master of the House
If there was ever a man who was unchanged by the power of the Presidency, it was Gerald Ford. Thrust unexpectedly into the Oval Office upon the resignation of Richard Nixon, Ford […]
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 […]
Unnecessary Instructions
Betty Ford recalled a time when she was First Lady and was flying aboard Air Force One. She was in the restroom when the plane hit some unexpected turbulence. The Secret Service […]
A Ford, Not a Lincoln
President Gerald R. Ford was well aware of the unique circumstances that propelled him to the most powerful office in the world. Appointed as Vice President upon the resignation of Spiro T. […]
When POTUS Cleans Up After His Pooch
President Gerald Ford was known for being just a regular guy, unchanged by the power of the Presidency. This was never better demonstrated than on the occasion when his Golden Retriever, Liberty, […]
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 […]
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