“Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeer, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a […]
Reagan Reflects on Reason for Christmas
Merry Christmas!
Skye, the official Commonplace Fun Facts Canine Consultant, Contributor, and Commander-in-Chief has remained vigilant throughout the night to safeguard Santa’s passage down the chimney.
Finland’s Reflecting Reindeer Plan … And How It Turned Out
Once upon a time, there was a reindeer. It was a very special reindeer because part of its body glowed brightly in the night. If it weren’t for that unnatural light source, […]
How to Become a Professional Santa Claus
All schools have a code of conduct, but some put a particular emphasis on keeping a list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. If you want to make the spreading […]
How Many Ways Can Santa Arrange His Reindeer?
As of this writing, it is the middle of summer in our part of the world, but Christmas is just around the corner. That is if you define “just around the corner” […]
Thank the Creator of the Headless Horseman for Your Favorite American Christmas Traditions
There are certain people who figure prominently in the development of Christmas traditions. What would Christmas be like without Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Thomas Nast’s depiction of Santa, or Clement Moore’s immortal […]
How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?
One of the most recognized people in the world is that jolly, old elf, Santa Claus. Everything about him — his beard, hat, coat, belly, and even his distinctive laugh — immediately […]
How Much Do You Know About Christmas?
Now that Christmas is behind us for one more year, it is time to see just how much of the holiday traditions you know. Consider these Christmas fun facts: What’s so special […]
You’ve Heard of Flying Reindeer; What About Pollyanna, the Reindeer of the Deep Seas?
Pollyanna, with officers of the HMS Trident The British submarine HMS Trident had an unusual crew member for part of its World War II service: a reindeer named Pollyanna. The Trident was […]
Another First for the American Space Program
On December 16, 1965, astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra were on Gemini 6 when they transmitted the following message: “Gemini VII, this is Gemini VI. We have an object, looks like […]
All of the Other Reindeer Used to Mock His Nasal Microcirculation
Scientists studying the origin of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s most-distinctive feature believe they have figured out why his nose is so bright. The short story is that it is due to an […]
I Can’t Wait to Use tuntussuqatarniksaitengqiggtuq In a Conversation
The word Yupik describes a family of five languages, spoken by residents of Siberia and Western Alaska. Each one of those languages is similar, but different—if two people from a different region […]
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