Imagine the police officer’s surprise. Washington, D.C. Officer William West was on routine patrol on M Street when he saw a vehicle approaching at a dangerously fast speed. He conducted what he […]
The President With a Lead Foot
The Russian Beard Preservation Law, Otherwise Known as the Russkaya Pravda
Facial hair used to be important in Russia. No, you don’t understand. It was REALLY important! We know this because of the Russkaya Pravda (Rus’ Justice or Rus’ Truth), one of the […]
Abraham Lincoln: Animal Lover-in-Chief
Entire libraries could be filled with books about President Abraham Lincoln. Historians have rightfully praised his vision, intellect, humor, courage, and determination. Any study into the life of this extraordinary man would […]
No Horsing Around For Harding’s Church Attendance
President Warren G. Harding enjoyed going horseback riding on Sunday mornings. At the insistence of First Lady Florence Harding, the president had to be back in time to go to church with […]
Jousting is the Official Sport of Maryland
Maryland is accustomed to not getting the respect it deserves. Its size (only seven states are smaller) means that it is often overlooked on a map, being crowded out by neighboring Pennsylvania […]
Homicidal Horses, Predatory Pigs, Robber Rats: Trials and Executions of Animals in Medieval Courts
These pages have documented many unusual stories and facts relating to capital punishment. Regardless of your personal views on the subject, it probably goes without saying that you assume we are talking […]
Why Do We Drive on That Side of the Road?
If you drive on the right side of the road, it feels perfectly natural to you. That’s the way you were taught. It’s how everyone around you drives (well, except for the […]
Giddy-up, But Don’t Throw Up
Because of the way a horse’s digestion system functions, it is almost impossible for the animal to vomit. source
Horsing Around With Royalty
President Ronald Reagan shared Queen Elizabeth II’s love of horses. During a state visit to the United Kingdom, the President accepted the Queen’s invitation to go horseback riding together. As the two leaders […]
Ridicule for the Gentleman Cowboy
Theodore Roosevelt was a man’s man — the very image of individualism, strength, and courage. It is hard to imagine anyone making fun of the man who would become the 26th President […]
The Day President Lincoln Became a Firefighter
The job of President of the United States can often be described as one of constantly putting out fires. Of course, we expect that to be a figurative description. For one President, […]
Heavy Horse Power
Prior to becoming President, William Howard Taft served as Governor General of the Philippines. After going on a goodwill mission to one of the Philippine islands and spending the day traveling by horseback […]
Return of the King? What are the Odds?
Ian MacMillan was counting on the return of the King — the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, that is. In 2002 MacMillan, an unemployed resident of Great Britain, placed a wager of five […]
Forget Playing with Pigskin; This Sport Really Gets Your Goat
If basketball or hockey isn’t your thing, consider taking up the sport of buzkashi. Originating with the Turks and Mongols sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries, its name means “goat dragging.” […]
Dishonesty Doesn’t Pay
British Member of Parliament Horatio Bottomley made a lot of money through fraud. He also lost a lot of money the same way. In a classic case of karma, in 1914 Bottomley […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 