“It seems I have spent a lifetime of mouthing mechanically, ‘Say thank you. Sit up straight. Use your napkin. Close your mouth when you chew. Don’t lean back in your chair.’ Just […]
Erma Bombeck on Marriage and Parenting
Healthy Humor Makes a Happy White House Marriage
Some of the couples who have lived in the White House have had what could charitably be described as “political marriages.” Husband and wife are united primarily by a shared desire for […]
The Real-Life Story of Agatha Christie’s Greatest Unsolved Mystery
Agatha Christie’s name is synonymous with mysteries. The author of such classics as Murder on the Orient Express, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Death on the Nile, her novels have sold […]
Eukonkanto — the Sport of Wife Carrying
Some say that behind every successful man, you will find a successful woman. Commonplace Fun Facts rejects this sexist notion. In the spirit of equality, we affirm that it is far more […]
Patton’s Pugnacious Party Pummeling
The greatest battlefield commander of the modern age was, by most accounts, General George S. Patton. His understanding of military history, instinctive grasp of technological innovation, and dogged determination rightly cemented his […]
When Mark Twain Needed the First Lady to Reassure His Wife
Mark Twain has a well-deserved reputation for not being intimidated by those in high authority. His self-assurance and disregard for the opinion of others allowed him to rub elbows with the most […]
The Surprising Unknown Life of Aviation Legend Anne Lindbergh
The name Lindbergh is inseparable from aviation. If you think you know about Lindbergh’s accomplishments, you might be surprised at what you never heard of. For example, you may be aware of […]
Are You Afflicted by Retired Husband Syndrome?
Most happily married couples look forward to opportunities to spend extended time together. As retirement years approach, they begin to dream about all the things they will be able to enjoy together […]
How A Husband’s Care For His Accident-Prone Wife Improved the World
Earle and Josephine Dickson seemed to be made for each other. As is the case in every successful marriage, it was as if they were brought together specifically so that each one’s […]
The Tragic Tale of a Badly Battered Husband
Sadly, he was a battered husband. There just isn’t any other way to describe it. Mary was highly abusive toward her husband, both emotionally and physically.
Trust, Decency, and Age Are the Secrets to the Marriage of Burns and Allen
George Burns and Gracie Allen not only had a wildly successful career as a comedy duo but they also enjoyed a happy marriage. When asked about the basis for the trust between […]
The Love Affair That Began and Ended With a Shave
Grace was watering flowers one morning when she saw the most extraordinary thing. The young schoolteacher was just a couple of years into her teaching assignment at the Clarke Schools for Hearing […]
Was He Brilliant, Lucky, or Bonkers? The Eccentric Life of Lord Timothy Dexter
In the world of eccentrics, Lord Timothy Dexter stands in a class by himself. He made several fortunes through either the keenest business instincts in history or by the wildest strokes of […]
Two Men, Two Deaths, One Wife, and One Heart… and a Whole Lot of Shenanigans
Sonny Graham had a second chance at life. In 1995, he was on the verge of death from congestive heart failure when fate intervened and provided him with a new heart. Sonny’s […]
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 […]
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