Photo: CDorobek Did you know that there is an island in the Bahamas that is populated almost entirely by pigs? It’s true! Pig Island, also known as Pig Beach, is home to a small community of feral pigs. These free roaming pigs are not opposed to taking dips in the ocean, and seem to enjoy
Fun Fact Friday: King Tut’s Dagger
Did you know that scientists have recently been able to prove that King Tut’s dagger was actually made from a meteorite? It’s true! The iron dagger, which was found in Tut’s tomb back in the 1920’s, has been analyzed by Italian and Egyptian scientists, using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. They were able to determine that the
Fun Fact Friday: Scotland’s National Animal
Did you know that Scotland’s official national animal is the unicorn? It’s true! According to Wikipedia, ” The Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, used prior to 1603 by the Kings of Scotland was supported by two unicorns and the current royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is supported by a unicorn for Scotland
Fun Fact Friday: Ansel Adams
Did you know that legendary nature photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams had to supplement his artistic career by accepting commercial assignments, including taking color photos? It’s true! While it may be hard to imagine, much like the notion of Kurt Vonnegut running a Saab dealership after becoming a published author (which he actually did), the
Fun Fact Friday: NYC’s “Forgotten” Subway Station
(Photo by Paul Lowry) Did you know that New York City’s most impressive subway station is one that most people have never seen or heard of, because it’s been closed for years? It’s true! City Hall Station is the architectural jewel of the New York subway system, but had to be removed from use because
Fun Fact Friday: Pizza
Since October is National Pizza Month, it seemed like good time to share some fun facts about pizza! Most folks love pizza, but probably don’t know too much about its origins. According to Wikipedia, The term was first recorded in the 10th century, in a Latin manuscript from Gaeta in Central Italy. So, folks have
Fun Fact Friday: Mount Rushmore
Did you know that when Mount Rushmore was originally planned, the sculpture was intended to depict the presidents all the way down to their waists?? It’s true! The monument, featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, was carved by Gutzon Borglum and 400 other workers, working under Borglum’s direction.
Fun Fact Friday: President Atchison?
Did you know that Senate President David Rice Atchison was commonly considered President of the United States for a single day in 1849? It’s true! According to Wikipedia, outgoing President James K. Polk’s term ended at noon on March 4, which was a Sunday. His successor, Zachary Taylor, refused to be sworn into office on
Calendar of Cool: Brown v. Board of Ed
On May 17, 1954, the ruling in the Supreme Court Case of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka was handed down. In this decision, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional, thus reversing an 1896 ruling that education should be “separate but equal.” The ruling stated that
Fun Fact Friday: Presidential Pets
When it comes to presidential pets, most people have heard of Socks the cat, or Bo the dog, but did you know that Herbert Hoover had pet alligators at the White House? It’s true! Hoover’s son Allan had a pair of them, and reportedly they were free to roam the White House grounds. There have been