Here's your (not so) totally useless fact(s) of the day:

[phkrause]

Every year, ancient Athenians carved a tile with the name of someone they disliked. If enough people wrote the same name, that person would have ten days to flee Athens for ten years. A tile was called an 'ostrakon' in Greek, giving rise to the word 'ostracise'.


Today is:
May Day (a traditional celebration of flowers and spring)
National Mother Goose Day

James

[phkrause]

Consuming dark chocolate in moderation has been linked to improved heart health, reduced stress, and enhanced brain function.


Today is:
National Foster Care Day
National Teacher Appreciation Day

James

[phkrause]

Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, is also the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields: physics and chemistry.



Today is:
National Skilled Trades Day
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day

James

[phkrause]

The word "avocado" comes from the Nahuatl word "ahuacatl," which means "testicle," likely due to the fruit's shape.


Alrighty then……but they are still good!


Today is:
National Star Wars Day (May The 4th Be With You!)
National Day Of Prayer

James

[phkrause]

Kleptocrat (noun):

A corrupt leader who uses their political power to enrich themselves at the expense of the people and land they govern.



Today is:
Cinco De Mayo
African World Heritage Day

James

[phkrause]

The Roman Empire existed for more than 1,000 years, making it one of the longest-lasting empires in recorded history. For comparison, the United States is 246 years old.


Today is:
National Women’s Checkup Day
National Have A Coke Day

James

[phkrause]

The phrase “when one door closes, another opens" was said by Alexander Graham Bell, which he followed by saying:  "but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us”.


Today is:
World Lupus Day
National Clean Up Your Room Day (I HAHAHA at this one – my youngest is 12)

James

[phkrause]

One million seconds = 11 days
One billion seconds = 32 years
One trillion seconds = 31,546 years


Today is:
National Eat What You Want Day (I like this day!)
National Twilight Zone Day

James

[phkrause]

Mark Twain was born shortly after Halley's Comet's appearance in 1835 and died a day after the comet's return in 1910.

He once said, "I came in with Halley's Comet... It is coming again, and I expect to go out with it".


Today is:
International Nurses Day
National Odometer Day (see, this is a prime example of people just making !@#$ up)

James

[phkrause]

The smell of freshly cut grass is actually a distress signal released by the grass, alerting other plants to the damage.


Today is:
National Dog Mom’s Day
National Frog Jumping Day

James

[phkrause]

The color orange was named after the fruit, not the other way around. Before the fruit was introduced to English speakers, the color was "geoluhread," which means "yellow-red".



Today is:
Bring Flowers To Someone Day
National Nylon Stocking Day

James

[phkrause]

Before alarm clocks were affordable, there were professionals called 'knocker ups' who went tapping on client's windows with long sticks until they were awake.



Today is:
National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day
National Barbecue Day

James

[phkrause]

The 'best before' date on most food products is about quality, not safety. While the food may not taste as good or have the same texture after this date, it is not necessarily unsafe to eat.



Today is:
Emergency Medical Services For Children Day
National Pack Rat Day

James

[phkrause]

Cats often slow blink at their human companions as a form of affection and trust. It's akin to a feline hug and is a sign that your cat feels safe and comfortable with you.



Today is:
National No Dirty Dishes Day
National Visit Your Relatives Day

James

[phkrause]

The "pop" you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually a gas bubble bursting.



Today is:
National Malcolm X Day
National Nascar Day

James

ps:That's a new one! Never heard that before!!

[phkrause]

In a bizarre coincidence, two different "Dennis the Menace" comic strips debuted on the same day in 1951. Both creators, Hank Ketcham (US) and David Law
(UK) created them independently, unaware of the other's existence.





Today is:
National Rescue Dog Day
Armed Forces Day

James

[phkrause]

The British Pound, in continuous use for over 1,200 years, is the world's oldest active currency. Its roots trace back to the Anglo-Saxon era when it equated to 1 pound of silver. Back then, this amount of money could purchase you a sizable herd of 15 cows.



Today is:
National Solitaire Day
National Maritime Day

James

[phkrause]

Your brain uses about as much power as the little light in the back of a refrigerator.

But what if that fridge bulb is out?



Today is:
National Lucky Penny Day
National Taffy Day

James

[phkrause]

'Smarties,' the popular childhood candy, were produced using machinery initially built for a less sweet purpose - making gunpowder pellets during WWI.


Today is:
World Schizophrenia Day
Brother’s Day

James

[phkrause]

The comeback to "Liar, liar, pants on fire" is "I don't care, I don't care, I can buy another pair".

Just in case you need to use it  😃


Today is:
National Missing Children’s Day
World Thyroid Day

James

[phkrause]

The man who voiced Tony the Tiger also sang, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". His name was Thurl Ravenscroft.


Today is:
National Road Trip Day
National Paper Airplane Day

James

[phkrause]

Aphantasia is a condition where a person is unable to visualize images in their mind.


Today is:
National Grape Day
National Cellophane Tape Day

James

[phkrause]

The "pound" key on your keyboard (#) is called an octotroph.

I know. At some point, someone decided they didn't like it and changed the name to hashtag.



Today is:
Memorial Day
National 529 Day

James

[phkrause]

Selective ignorance: The tactic of avoiding information that challenges one's preexisting beliefs or biases.


Ahh, the same as selective hearing, which I have. I think everyone with kids has it 😃



Today is:
World Multiple Sclerosis Day
National Hole In My Bucket Day

James

[phkrause]

Hypnagogia is the unique state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep. This phase can often be accompanied by unusual sensory experiences, such as feeling as if you're floating, changing size, or even slipping.



Today is:
National Smile Day
National Save Your Hearing Day

James