Trivia

[phkrause]

6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Jeopardy!_3

On this day in 2004, after winning 74 straight games and more than $2.5 million, Ken Jennings' amazing winning streak on Jeopardy! finally came to an end. The record-breaking streak made Jennings a millionaire as well as a household name. Here are six brainy facts you may not know about Jeopardy!

Wagering $69 Is Against Jeopardy! Rules

The show has banned some wagers that could remind people of unsavory connotations. There are five banned wagers on the show, including the obvious $69 and $666. Wagering $14, $88, and $1,488 are also banned due to their white supremacist connotations.

The Lowest Score In The History of the Game Is -$6,800

Stephanie Hull is known for getting the lowest score in the history of the game. On March 12, 2015, the lifelong Jeopardy! fan finished with a stunning -$6,800. By the end of the game, she said she was "trying desperately not to cry" and claims she has not re-watched the episode since it first aired.  On the up side, Hull did win $1,000 for coming in third and went on to help found a support group for women who get bullied on social media after appearing on Jeopardy.

If All Three Contestants Hit Zero or Negative Numbers After Double Jeopardy, Producers Don't Know Exactly What They Will Do

“The Jeopardy! rule book is not a gilt-edged tome bound in Moroccan leather,” the website says. “It’s a living document which states that: 'In the event all three contestants have $0 (zero) or minus amounts at the end of ‘Double Jeopardy!,' no Final Jeopardy! round would be played." In this were to happen, there would be an extra three minutes of time to fill.  Producers know that there will be no Final Jeopardy round, but what they'll do in place of the round is anyone's guess. The producers have said they aren't quite sure what they would do. 

Jeopardy! Has Been Canceled Twice

It's a popular show now, but Jeopardy! wasn't always such a TV stalwart. In fact, it's been canceled twice before due to lack of interest and changing network policies. In 1975, the show was canceled because NBC decided they wanted to appeal to a younger female demographic. The show came back in 1978, only to be canceled after a measly six months. The current run which began in 1984, with Alex Trebek at the helm, finally achieved the longevity it’s known for today.

Jeopardy! Used To Air AT 2 A.M. In Some Major Markets

When the show came back in 1984, many station mangers were not convinced that the show would be a success. Convinced that the show would do poorly, networks in New York and other major cities scheduled the show to run at 2 a.m. Luckily, Jeopardy! did well, and networks eventually moved the show into better time slots.

He Is A Canadian Icon Who Left Behind A Massive Legacy

Who is … Alex Trebek? Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away "peacefully" at his home on November 8, 2020, surrounded by his family and friends. The iconic quiz show host — known for asking contestants to phrase answers in the form of a question — lost his battle to pancreatic cancer.  Trebek, who announced his diagnosis in March 2019, leaves behind a legacy that includes hosting 37 seasons of Jeopardy! He was 80 years old. Rest in peace, Alex.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Rosa Parks_3

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about this brave woman who helped kick-start the Civil Rights Movement..

Parks Had a Run In With the Same Bus Driver Years Earlier

Her first conflict with James Blake, the bus driver who reported her to the police in 1955, came more than a decade earlier.  In 1943, she boarded a bus driven by Blake, and after she paid her fare, he told her to exit and re-enter through the back doors—which was a rule for black riders. Instead of waiting for her to get back in, Blake drove away once she stepped off the bus. She managed to avoid the bus driver for more than 10 years until that memorable day in 1955 when she refused to give up her bus seat for a white passenger even though there were empty seats available. Blake called the police, and they placed Parks under arrest for civil disobedience.

She Wasn't The First Black Woman Who Refused To Give Up Her Seat

Few people know the story of Claudette Colvin. When she was 15-years-old, she refused to move to the back of the bus and give up her seat to a white person — nine months before Rosa Parks did the very same thing.  Her  actions were quickly overshadowed when Parks became the face of the Montgomery bus boycotts less than a year later.

Parks Was Arrested A Second Time For Civil Disobedience

Not long after her famous arrest, Rosa Parks found herself in trouble with the law once again. On February 22, 1956, Parks was arrested for a second time, along with nearly 100 others, for breaking the segregation laws during the bus boycott in Montgomery. The famous photo of Parks being fingerprinted by the police was actually taken on this date and often erroneously credited to her first arrest. The boycott lasted for 381 days and signaled the beginning of the civil rights movement.

The Founder Of Little Caesars Paid Her Rent For Many Years

In 1994, Rosa Parks was robbed and assaulted in her apartment in Detroit, Michigan. Mike Ilitch, the founder of  Little Caesars, and owner of the Detroit Tigers, read the story in the newspaper and 
offered to pay her rent at a new, safer high-rise apartment building with security. He and his wife quietly continued paying for the apartment until Parks died in 2005 at the age of 92.

She Was The First Woman Lain In Honor At The U.S. Capitol

Parks' death was marked by several memorial services, among them, lying in honor at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., an honor that is reserved for the country’s most distinguished citizens. She was interred between her husband and mother at Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery, in the chapel's mausoleum. Shortly after her death, the chapel was renamed the Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Pablo Escobar_2

On Dec 2, 1993, Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was killed in a shootout with Colombian security forces in Medellin.  Here are five things you probably didn’t know about the man dubbed "The King of Cocaine".

He Appeared on the Forbes Billionaire List

Forbes first published its billionaires' list in 1987, and Pablo Escobar was included among the world’s top 100 super rich. Escobar and his Medellin cartel were rolling in so much money that in 1984, they offered to pay off Colombia’s national debt in return for immunity from prosecution. Escobar made the Forbes list each year seven years in a row, and in 1989, was listed as the 7th wealthiest billionaire in the world. 

He Spent $2,500 Per Month On Rubber Bands

Due to his massive amounts of money, and the effort it took to transport it, Escober stored piles of it in local warehouses. During the height of his operation, the Medellín Cartel brought in more than $70 million per day. The cartel spent over US $2,500 per month purchasing rubber bands just to wrap the stacks of cash, storing most of it in their warehouses. Ten percent of the cash had to be written off per year because of "spoilage", due to rats creeping in and nibbling on the bills. 

The Drug King Had a Handle on Logistics

Authorities in Colombia managed to seize some of the fleet and properties used by Escobar in his cocaine operation. In addition to 141 offices and homes, they confiscated 142 airplanes, 32 yachts, and 20 helicopters. He also had two submarines to transport cocaine to the United States, estimated to have carried up to 30,000 pounds of the white powder each day to American shores. 

He Once Burned $2 Million To Keep His Daughter Warm

Although Escobar was notoriously violent in protecting and running his powerful drug cartel, he held a soft spot for this family. In 1991 Pablo was on the run after escaping from prison. Staying in a farmhouse in the hills of Medellín, Pablo’s daughter soon fell ill with pneumonia. In order to keep her warm he used nearly $2 million as kindle for fire.

Escobar Built His Own Prison

Escobar contacted Colombian authorities in 1991, offering to surrender with one caveat—he wanted to construct the prison that would hold him. Surprisingly, they agreed, and he built a facility that included a waterfall, nightclub, soccer field, and sauna, along with phones, fax machines, and computers. However he didn't stay there for too long.  After about a year, he had enough, and walked out of his prison using a secret back door.  He was discovered and killed the day after his 44th birthday in 1993.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Andrew Jackson

On December 3, 1828, Andrew Jackson was elected the seventh president of the United States. Jackson is known for founding the Democratic Party and for his support of individual liberty. Here are 5 things you probably didn't now about the man known as the "Old Hickory"..

He Killed A Man In A Duel

In 1806, Charles Dickinson called Jackson a “a worthless scoundrel, a poltroon and a coward” over a horse-racing related argument. Jackson then challenged Dickinson to a duel. Dickinson shot first and hit Jackson in the chest, shattering his ribs. But Jackson wasn’t done. “Old Hickory took his time — so much that others questioned his honor after the fact — steadied himself, and fired a fatal shot.” Jackson would carry around the bullet in his chest as well as another from a subsequent duel for the rest of his life.

He Won The Popular Vote For President Three Times

Jackson captured nearly 56% of the popular vote in winning the presidency in 1828, and he nearly matched that figure four years later in his reelection. “Old Hickory” also won the most popular votes, although not a majority, in his first presidential run in 1824. Since no candidate won a majority of electoral votes, the 1824 election was thrown into the House of Representatives, which decided that John Quincy Adams would be president instead of Jackson. This led to Jackson lobbying continually for the Electoral College to be abolished.

He Was The First Target of a Presidential Assassination

As Jackson was leaving the U.S. Capitol on January 30, 1835, a deranged house painter named Richard Lawrence fired a pistol at the president from just feet away. When Lawrence’s gun misfired, he pulled out a second weapon and squeezed the trigger. That pistol also misfired. An enraged Jackson charged Lawrence with his cane as the shooter was subdued. A subsequent investigation found the pistols to be in perfect working order. The odds of both guns misfiring were calculated to be 125,000 to 1.

He Was The Only President To Have Been Prisoner of War

During the Revolutionary War, the 13-year-old Jackson joined the Continental Army as a courier. In April 1781, he was taken prisoner along with his brother Robert. When Andrew refused to clean the boots of a British officer, the officer slashed at the youth with a sword, leaving him with scars on his left hand and head, as well as an intense hatred for the British. Robert also refused to do as commanded and was struck with the sword. The two brothers were held as prisoners, contracted smallpox, and nearly starved to death in captivity.

He Would Have Hated Having His Picture on the $20 Bill

Jackson’s portrait appears on the $20 bill although he was opposed to the issuance of paper money by state and national banks. He even shut down the Second Bank of the United States in part because of its ability to manipulate paper money. It’s ironic that Jackson not only appears on the $20 bill, but his portrait in the past has also appeared on $5, $10, $50 and $10,000 denominations.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin made the difficult decision to break up on December 4, 1980, approximately two months after the tragic death of drummer John Bonham. Here are five interesting facts you probably didn’t know about this legendary band...

John Bonham Died After Drinking The Equivalent Of 40 Shots Of Vodka

The band was rehearsing for a tour on September 4, 1980, and John Bonham was drinking at Jimmy Page’s home and passed out. He was put in a bedroom to sleep it off but was discovered dead the next afternoon by an assistant of Robert Plant and John Paul Jones. He died via asphyxiation from his own vomit. The report by the coroner said Bonham showed about 40 vodka shots in his system at the time of his death.

The Band First Performed As The New Yardbirds

On September 7th, 1968, Led Zeppelin played their first live show ever in a converted gym in Gladsaxe, Denmark. They weren’t yet billed under their soon-to-be world-famous name but were instead performing under the name of the New Yardbirds. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham had only practiced together for 15 hours. The set list included “You Shook Me,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Train Kept-A-Rollin.”

Keith Moon Of The Who Gave Led Zeppelin Their Name

The name Led Zeppelin came from the mouth of a legendary drummer, but not John Bonham. It actually came from The Who’s Keith Moon. The story goes that Page was keen on creating a new supergroup with Moon, Jeff Beck, and Moon’s bandmate in The Who John Entwistle. Moon remarked that the project would go down “like a lead balloon”. Not happy with the power of a balloon, Page and the group went bigger and added "like a lead Zeppelin!" Accounts differ; for decades Entwistle claimed it was he, not Moon, who made the "lead balloon" crack, however history seems to favor Moon's version.

For One Night, They Were Known As "The Nobs"

Frau Eva von Zeppelin, a direct descendant of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, was upset over what she believed to be a dishonoring of the family name by the band. She demanded that the group change their name.  The band complied, and on February 28, 1970, the group performed one show in Copenhagen as "The Nobs" but decided to retain their original name afterwards due to popular and critical opinions that favored their original name.

They Have Been Sued For Plagiarism A Few Times

Over the years, Led Zeppelin has been caught lifting parts of songs without giving credit to those who performed the original tunes. Multiple accusations dogged the band for years. Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were accused of stealing the opening guitar riff from its signature 1971 song, “Stairway to Heaven.”  In a 2019 lawsuit, the band was accused of lifting music from the song "Taurus" by the Los Angeles band Spirit for their mega-hit. This wasn't the first time Led Zeppelin was accused of plagiarism. They were also accused of "borrowing" the song “Dazed and Confused” from folk singer Jake Holmes in a 2010 lawsuit. The case was eventually settled out of court.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Walt Disney_2

On December 5, 1901, movie producer Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois. From his rural and rather humble beginnings, he became a pioneer of cartoon films, the creator of Mickey Mouse, and the founder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Here are five things you didn’t know about Walt Disney.

Mickey Was Almost Named Mortimer

When Walt was on a train ride in 1928, he sketched a picture of a mouse. This mouse would eventually become the official mascot of his multinational corporation, although he didn't know it at the time. He named the sketch "Mortimer Mouse". When he showed it to his wife, she wasn't particularly fond of the name and suggested giving the mouse a cuter name, such as Mickey. Fortunately, Walt agreed and a star was born.

Disney Really Disliked Facial Hair

It took almost 60 years, for employees at Walt Disney’s two U.S. theme parks be be allowed to sport a beard or goatee (but only if they are “neat, polished, and professional,” according to the official memo). Disney was so adamantly against facial hair that guests were turned away if they didn’t meet the theme park’s dress code during the 1950 and 1960s. Even the frontman for The Byrds, Jim McGuinn, was turned away because of his provocative Beatles style haircut. Disney eventually relented on this policy to allow all patrons to enjoy “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

He Made His Housekeeper a Multimillionaire

Thelma Howard was the Disney family’s live-in housekeeper and cook for three decades. As part of her annual Christmas gift, the Disneys would give her stock in the company. She never sold any of her shares and by the time she died in 1994, Thelma was a multimillionaire from all of her shares of stock. She left nearly $4.5 million to her disabled son, and another $4.5 million to poor and disabled children.

Walt Was The Voice Of Mickey Mouse

From 1928 to 1947, Walt was literally the man behind the mouse.  When Mickey Mouse made his official debut in a 1928 short film titled “Steamboat Willie,” it was Walt himself that provided the voice of the beloved cartoon character.  In 1947, Jimmy MacDonald began doing the voice work and headed Disney’s sound effects department. Disney didn’t give up completely on doing voice work, and continued doing the mouse’s voice for shorts for “The Mickey Mouse Club.”

Walt Disney Was A High School Dropout

Walt was just 16-years old when he dropped out of high school, and forged his birth certificate to join the Red Cross Ambulance Corps during World War I. Although he didn't see much action, he traveled to France in late 1918, not long after the armistice was signed that ended the fighting. Walt still helped out where he could, driving Red Cross officials and performing other tasks that were needed, before he was discharged in 1919.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About The Washington Monument_3

On December 6, 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers place a nine-inch aluminum pyramid atop a tower of white marble, completing the construction the Washington Monument. Here are 5 things you didn't know about this structure built as a tribute to George Washington...

Early Ideas For The Monument Included Greek Columns And A Tomb

Though the monument's iconic and simple shape is easily recognizable now, the original design submitted by Robert Mills was an Egyptian-style obelisk, encircled by 30 columns that would each stand 100 feet tall. Other designs considered included a classical Greek column with a small statue of George Washington on top and a stand-alone statue of Washington on horseback. Still another idea would have required moving Washington's body to a tomb constructed for him in the Capitol Building, however his family was unwilling to allow his body to be moved from its resting place at Mount Vernon.

The Monument Was Briefly The World's Tallest Man-Made Structure

It was a brief but glorious reign of five years when the 555-foot height of the Washington Monument surpassed the Cologne Cathedral to become the tallest building in the world. The title was short-lived when the completion of the Eiffel Tower took the title back to France in 1889. Despite the Washington Monument losing its title, it continues to hold other records such as the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk.

There Is A Lot Of Stuff Buried Under The Monument

On the first day of construction of the Washington Monument, a zinc case containing a number of objects and documents was placed in the foundation.  Alongside copies of the Declaration of Independence are a map of the city of Washington, census data, poems, a collection of coins, a list of the Supreme Court justices, a Bible, among many other items.

The Washington Monument's Opening Was A Star-Studded Event

Among the 20,000 Americans that were at the opening of the Washington Monument included several big-name guests. The guest list included then-President James K. Polk, three future president (Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and James Buchanan), former first lady Dolley Madison, Alexander Hamilton's widow Elizabeth Hamilton, and even a bald eagle.

The Washington Monument Was Damaged by an Earthquake in 2011

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake close to Mineral, Virginia, damaged the Washington Monument, causing some mortar to come loose and creating cracks in the obelisk. Fortunately, no one inside the building was injured, however. It was closed for 2 1/2 years to be repaired, which cost around $15 million. While the extensive repair work took place, the obelisk was shrouded in a blue mesh, which covered the enormous scaffolding system that was needed to do the repairs. 

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About The Attack On Pearl Harbor_3

In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise military attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. To mark the anniversary of that event, here are five things you probably didn't know about the attack on Pearl Harbor....

A Baby Girl’s Remains Was Entombed Within A Sunken Battleship

A crew member of the USS Utah had been storing an urn containing his daughter’s ashes in his locker onboard, and was planning to scatter them at sea, but the attack on December 7th prevented him from ever doing so. Sixty-four men died aboard the USS Utah that day, and many of their bodies remain entombed within its sunken hull. The baby girl, who had died at birth, was finally honored with a funeral at the USS Utah Memorial at Pearl Harbor in 2003.

38 Sets Of Brothers Were On The Doomed USS Arizona

The USS Arizona had quite a few family members on board: a father and son, and 38—yes, 38—sets of brothers, representing a total of 79 men, on the battleship at the time. Within that group, 63 individual men were killed. After a number of similar tragedies in which families lost multiple members who served on the same ships, the Navy started discouraging the practice of placing family members together during service.

Elvis Presley Helped Raise Money For The USS Arizona Memorial

Creating the memorial at Pearl Harbor took several years and cost a lot of money, much of which was raised through benefits. One such benefit was a concert in 1961 by Elvis Presley, who performed 15 classic songs before a roaring crowd of around 5,000 fans in Pearl Harbor’s Bloch Arena. The concert raked in over $64,000 and Elvis Presley donated additional monies to the memorial construction fund. Contrary to rumors, Elvis didn't foot the bill for the entire cost.

Veterans Of The Attack Can Be Laid To Rest At Pearl Harbor

Survivors of the attack have the option to join their lost comrades and have Pearl Harbor be their final resting place. Even those who served on board of the USS Arizona during the attack may have their ashes deposited by divers beneath one of the sunken Arizona’s gun turrets. The practice continued until December 2019, when Lauren Bruner became the last survivor to be laid to rest there. There were three remaining survivors, but they chose to be laid to rest with family in other cemeteries.

The USS Arizona Is Still Leaking

The day before the attacks, the USS Arizona took on a full load of fuel, nearly 1.5 million gallons. Much of that fuel helped ignite the explosion and subsequent fires that destroyed the ship, but shockingly, some fuel continues to seep out of the wreckage. The Arizona continues to spill up to 9 quarts of oil into the harbor each day. Studies have shown there are bacteria feeding off the oil, which is actually increasing the rate of corrosion of the wreckage.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Sammy Davis Jr.

On Dec 8, 1925, entertainer and member of the rat pack, Sammy Davis Jr., was born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Find out five things you didn’t know about Sammy Davis, Jr.

He Performed One Of The Most Famous Kisses On TV

In 1972, the Rat Packer helped create one of TV’s most legendary moments — an on-screen kiss that appeared on the television show All in the Family. The episode featured Davis (as himself) visiting the Bunker household after accidentally leaving his briefcase in Archie’s taxi cab. On his way out the door, he planted a kiss on Archie’s cheek. It was one of the show’s most famous episodes and went on to be nominated for two Emmys. In real life, Davis and Carroll O'Connor were good friends, and the idea for the kiss on television was O’Connor’s, who was a staunch liberal.

He Lost His Eye in a Car Accident

On November 19, 1954, Davis was driving from Las Vegas to record a movie soundtrack in Los Angeles when he was involved in a horrible car accident. He sustained massive injuries to his face, including a broken nose and damage to his left eye so severe that it had to be replaced with a plastic one. A consummate professional, he was back on stage only two months later.

He Converted To Judaism After The Accident

While in the hospital, his friend and entertainer Eddie Cantor enlightened him on the similarities between the Jewish and black cultures. He felt Jews and Black people shared a similar history of oppression. He  converted to Judaism after reading Paul Johnson's A History of the Jews in the hospital. One paragraph about the ultimate endurance of the Jewish people intrigued him in particular: "The Jews would not die. Three centuries of prophetic teaching had given them an unwavering spirit of resignation and had created in them a will to live which no disaster could crush."

He Had A Close Bond With Fellow Rat Packer Frank Sinatra

Davis and Sinatra became friends from the moment they met in 1941 at the Michigan Theatre in Detroit when he stepped in as an opening act for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Sinatra. Sinatra was like a big brother to Sammy. In one instance, Sinatra tore up his contract when a theater barred Davis because of his race. After Sammy Davis Jr. had his car accident, the famous crooner paid the medical bills. For Sammy, the admiration was mutual: “I wanted to be like him, I wanted to dress like him, I wanted to look like him, I took my hair and had it all done up, Sinatra style, with the little curl here and all.”

He Was Snubbed by JFK

Not even Sinatra's friendship could get SDJ into John F. Kennedy's inauguration. When Davis married the glamorous blonde Swedish actress May Britt in 1960, it not only made headlines, it inspired death threats. Although Sammy had campaigned tirelessly alongside Frank Sinatra to help get Kennedy elected, JFK asked the entertainer not to participate in the 1961 Presidential inauguration. He felt the sight of the black entertainer alongside his white wife would potentially anger southerners. Being shunned by the president was a sore spot for Davis, but those feelings were somewhat smoothed in 1987 when he was honored by the Kennedy Center.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Al Pacino

Actor Al Pacino starred as a Cuban refugee who becomes a Miami crime boss in the film Scarface, which opens in theaters on this day in 1983. Say hello to our little list of 5 things you didn't know about Al Pacino.

The Original Facebook Banner Featured His Picture

Al Pacino was the first “face” on Facebook. A very early iteration of the site in 2007, displayed a header image featuring a man’s face obscured behind some binary code.  At the time, the man’s identity remained a mystery, as his image could not be seen clearly.  Dubbed the "Facebook guy," it was not known who the mystery man was — until 2010 when David Kirkpatrick revealed in his book "The Facebook Effect" that the image was a manipulated photo of Al Pacino. 

He Almost Played Han Solo

Al Pacino was one of many actors to turn down playing Han Solo in Star Wars. He was given the script to Star Wars and was offered the Solo job, but turned it down saying, "It was mine for the taking, but I didn't understand the script." He also turned down playing Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Ted Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer, and various roles in the films Apocalypse Now, Born on the Fourth of July, Pretty Woman, and Crimson Tide.

He Was Charged With Attempted Robbery

On January 7th, 1961, a Rhode Island police patrol pulled over a suspicious car in the middle of the night. Inside the vehicle were three men wearing black clothes and masks, and a gun. All of them were charged with attempted robbery and were sent to jail for three days. One of these men was young Al Pacino. Charges were dropped after Pacino convincingly explained to the police officers that they were all actors on their way to a play.

He Charged People Money To Fly With Him

During the European leg of Pacino's 2015 speaking tour, he offered fans the opportunity to ride on his private jet and bask in his presence for a mere $40,000. If that was a little too rich for your blood, he also gave fans the chance to have lunch with him for $12,000, or hang out for 20 minutes with him in his dressing room for $4,000.

He Worked As A Shoe Shiner

Before his acting career took off, Pacino had to take a string of low-paying jobs to make ends meet. Both his parents passed away by the time he turned 22, which means no one could assist him financially. In fact, he was homeless for a while, living out in the streets or in theaters. Some of the jobs he took during his youth include shoe shiner, furniture mover, supermarket checker, messenger, and shoe salesman.

[phkrause]

5 Interesting Facts About The Dewey Decimal System

On December 10, 1851, Melvil Dewey, the American librarian famous for creating the Dewey Decimal Classification system, was born. Find out five things you didn’t know about the Dewey Decimal Classification System.

Dewey Founded The American Library Association, But Was Later Forced Out Because Of His Behavior

Melvil Dewey may have come up with a good way to classify library books but was reportedly unable to control himself when he was near women. Dewey and other American Library Association members took a cruise in 1905 to Alaska to talk about the future of the ALA. Four women on the trip accused Dewey of sexual harassment.  Within a year, Dewey was forced to step down from his involvement with the organization he helped to create.

He Required School Applicants Had To Submit a Photo

Dewey was the founder of the School of Library Economy at Columbia College, where 90 percent of his students were female. It was long rumored that Dewey required that female applicants include their bust sizes in addition to their ages. Although his was just a rumor, later proven to be false, Dewey did however, ask women to submit photos of themselves, often noting“ You cannot polish a pumpkin.”

The Original Dewey Decimal System Was Racially Biased

Dewey’s personal biases spilled over into his creation of his classification system.  In the 1930s, Dorothy Porter, a librarian at Howard University redid the Dewey Decimal System, which treated black writers unfairly. The Dewey Decimal System was also accused of homophobia because books on issues regarding LGBT were placed under categories such as perversion, abnormal psychology, medical disorders, and even derangement.

The Religious Section Was Heavily Skewed Toward Christianity

The religion section on Christianity under the DDS begins at 200 and goes to 290, even though there are about 4,000 religions recognized around the world. This means that only ten numbers are used for all those other religions. The numbering system for religions has seen some changes but totally restructuring it has not been addressed.

A Better Classification System Is Referred to As "Dewey-Lite"

The Dewey Decimal System of classifying library books is used by 135 countries and in 200,000 libraries. but its far from perfect. However, the biggest complaint is that the DDS doesn’t make reading especially exciting and that it might be better to organize the books in public libraries the way book stores are set up.  By doing away with the numbers, some libraries are classifying books simply by category and organizing by author—a system they've begun referring to as "Dewey-lite."

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About The Moon

On December 11, 1972, Apollo 17 safely landed on the moon after launching from Earth four days prior. It was the 11th and final mission of the Apollo program, and the sixth NASA mission to put men on the moon.  Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about the moon...

We Only See One Side Of The Moon All Of The Time

Because the moon rotates at the same speed as it goes around the Earth, we only see only 59 percent of it, and it’s always on the same side. On October 7, 1959, a Soviet spacecraft named Luna 3 flew by the Moon and took photos of the backside of the moon. The USSR Academy of Sciences used these photos in 1960 to publish an atlas of the Moon’s far side.

The Moon Has Had More Visitors Than You Might Think

More than 100 robotic spacecraft have been launched to explore the Moon from more than half a dozen countries. Nine crewed missions with 24 humans have flown to the Moon and back. So far, only 12 humans have stepped foot on the Moon and it is the only place in our solar system visited by humans other than Earth. The last time that happened was on this day in 1972.

Six American Flags Have Been Planted On The Moon

Over the years, six different American flags were planted on the moon. But it doesn’t mean the United States has claimed it. There’s actually an international law that was written in 1967 that prevents any nation from owning any natural celestial objects. But flags aren’t the only items American astronauts have left behind  Other items include scientific instruments. three golf balls left by Astronaut Alan Shepard, a signed photo of Charlie Duke’s family, a gold olive branch, and various bags of poop.

The Moon Was likely Formed During An Impact

Scientists believe it’s likely a Mars-sized body collided with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago. The Moon as we know it resulted from the debris and was likely in a molten state initially, and then within about 100 million years, much of the magma eventually formed the lunar crust. NASA says if you put a single pea next to a nickel, you’d get a pretty good idea of the relative size difference between the Earth and Moon. 

There Were Plans To Abandon The Astronauts On The Moon

For the Apollo 11 mission, a speech had been prepared for President Nixon titled "In the Event of Moon Disaster" to be read on television in case the astronauts were stranded on the moon. According to the plan, NASA was to cut off communications to the stranded astronauts. The president would have telephoned each of the widows-to-be, and then make the following speech:

"Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace."These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice."These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding."They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown."In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man."In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood."Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts."For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind."

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Frank Sinatra_3

On December 12, 1915, Singer Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. He later became one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. Here are 5 shocking facts about the singer nicknamed “Ol’ Blue Eyes.”

Sinatra Wasn’t a Fan of One of His Most Popular Songs

While “Strangers in the Night” was one of Sinatra’s most popular songs, he personally despised it.  Frank called the song “a piece of sh*t” and “the worst f**king song I’ve ever heard.” He was not afraid to voice his disapproval of playing it live. In spite of his contempt for the song, for the first time in 11 years he had a #1 hit, and it remained on the charts for 15 weeks. Thankfully, he recorded the song anyway, not just because it topped the charts, but because, of the improvised skat at the end of the song...

Frank Inadvertently Helped Name Scooby-Doo

The popular cartoon dog, Scooby-Doo, got his name from the scat Frank Sinatra improvised at the end of “Strangers in the Night” which ended with "Dooby dooby doo".  In 1968, CBS television executive Fred Silverman was inspired by the scat while listening to the recording on a red-eye flight to a development meeting for a Saturday morning cartoon show and decided to rename the dog's character to "Scooby-Doo". 

He Had His Own Line Of Jarred Pasta Sauces

Sinatra was definitely a foodie and introduced his own pasta sauce in 1990, which was based on his mother’s recipe. Although the sauce was a flop,  he released “The Sinatra Celebrity Cookbook” in 1996. The cookbook included recipes from Sinatra and other recipes from stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Kirk Douglas, and Whoopie Goldberg. You can still find Mama Sinatra’s recipe online.

An Asteroid Is Named After Sinatra

In 1989, a new asteroid was discovered at the European Southern Observatory in Germany by E.W. Elst. He named the asteroid 7934 Sinatra after the famous crooner. The asteroid orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter. George Takei also has an asteroid named after him. 7307 Takei was discovered on April 13, 1994, at an observatory in Japan and was named in honor of long-time "Star Trek" actor.

The Last Song He Performed Is Inscribed on His Tombstone

In February 1995, Sinatra performed a short set of songs in his final performance after a career lasting 60 years. The last song he ever performed was “The Best Is Yet to Come." He sang this song to around 1,200 people in Palm Desert at the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational gala. The words "The Best Is Yet to Come" was inscribed on his tombstone after he passed away in 1998.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Saddam Hussein

On December 13, 2003, after spending nine months on the run, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured by American forces and charged with war crimes. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about this defiant Iraqi dictator.

He Received A Key To The City of Detroit

In 1979, after Saddam Hussein took power in Iraq, he received a note of congratulations from a Reverend Jacob Yasso in Detroit. In return, the dictator sent Yasso and his congregation of Chaldean Christians $250,000. Chaldeans are a sect of Christianity with roots in modern-day Iraq. Yasso was invited to come to Baghdad and meet Saddam. While there, he presented the Iraqi dictator with the key to the city of Detroit, courtesy of then-Mayor Coleman Young. Hussein then gave the church another $200,000.

He Offered To Debate George W. Bush On Live TV

In an effort to prevent the 2003 American invasion of Iraq, the dictator offered to debate U.S. President George W. Bush on live TV.  In a three-hour interview with CBS News, he offered to debate the U.S. President.  “I am ready to conduct a direct dialogue – a debate – with your president,” CBS quoted Saddam as saying.  “I will say what I want and he will say what he wants.  ”The White House said the offer wasn’t a serious one but Hussein reiterated his stance. “  This is something proposed in earnest out of my respect for the people of the United States and the people of Iraq and the people of the world.  I call for this because war is not a joke.”

He Had a Copy Of The Qur’an Written Using His Own Blood

On his 60th birthday, Saddam Hussein commissioned a Qur'an to be written using his own blood as ink. Calligrapher Abbas Shakir Joudi wrote 6,000 verses and 336,000 words of the Qur’an using 50 pints of blood over the course of two years. If you’re a blood expert who questions if it’s possible to give that much blood over two years, you aren’t alone. A blood donation expert once estimated it would have taken at least nine years to safely donate that much blood, so it's unlikely that the entire text is written in only his blood.

He Wrote a Best-Selling Romance Novel

In 2000, the book “Zabiba and the King,” was published. The passionate romance novel caused a ruckus in the literary world after it was released. But it wasn't just the story that made people take notice. The book was penned by an anonymous author. Although the author stated his humble desire to remain anonymous, Iraqi newspapers started to report that Hussein might be the author. The book became an immediate bestseller, and was turned into a musical spectacular. The CIA believes the book was written or at least supervised by the Iraqi dictator.

He Pledged $94 Million To Help America’s Poor

In 2001, ten years after the end of the Gulf War and just days before George W. Bush was inaugurated, Hussein pledged to donate $94 million to poor Americans, calling it a humanitarian act meant to help the homeless and impoverished. (It's worth bearing in mind that at the time, Iraq's poverty rate stood at about 50 percent).

[phkrause]

5 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Alabama

On December 14, 1819, Alabama joined the Union as the 22nd state. We all know the state capital is Montgomery, they're really good at college football, and Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote a song about the state in the ’70s. But there’s much more to Alabama. Here are five fun facts you didn't know about the state of Alabama.

The First 911 Call Was Made In Alabama

The Super Soaker, Windshield Wipers, and 911. Alabama is home to a number of firsts. One notable Alabamian first, was the 911 emergency number. On February 16, 1968, the world's first 911 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama. This was not the first three-digit emergency number; that honor belongs to 999 in the UK. But in 1968, a ceremonial 911 call was made between two Alabama politicians.  Before 1968, people with emergencies sometimes had to call multiple numbers, which obviously was not an ideal situation if you were having a heart attack. Surprisingly, only 50 percent of the United States had 911 service by 1987. Today, the number is widespread and used throughout the United States and Canada.

Alabama Has The Only US Town Whose Mail Is Delivered by Boat

Mark Lipscomb doesn’t have to worry about dogs nipping at his heels during his postal route. Alligators… maybe, but not dogs. That’s because Lipscomb works the only year-round delivery mail route in the country for the small town of Magnolia Springs in Baldwin County. The all-water route started in 1915 and serves close to 180 homes along its 31-mile length. Residents say that mail delivery by boat isn't much different from delivery by mail truck, although if the water gets high enough, your mail can get a bit wet.

Alabama Was The First State To Make Christmas A Legal Holiday…Maybe

Full disclosure, there’s a little bit of debate about this one. The legend goes that in 1836, the state made the day a legal holiday so that people could take the day off from work and be with friends and family. The tradition spread from there.  The problem is that there's no real proof that Alabama really was the first, although historians generally don't argue with the legend.  But if you type into Google, “What’s the first state to make Christmas a holiday in the US?” it will tell you Alabama in big bold letters, and that’s good enough for us, right?

Alabama Has Had Five Capitals In Its History

When Alabama was a territory, the town of St. Stephens in what is now Washington County served as the capital. The convention that framed the constitution under which it was admitted into the Union was held in Huntsville, the state’s second capital.  And it was there that the legislators decided on Alabama’s first permanent capital – Cahaba (also spelled Cahawba). And if you’ve never heard of this place, you’re probably not alone. Located in Dallas County, where the Cahaba and Alabama rivers meet, Cahaba is a ghost town today. In 1825, the capital was moved to Tuscaloosa, and in 1846 it was again moved, this time to Montgomery.

It Is Illegal to Wrestle a Bear in Alabama

It is illegal in Alabama to sell, purchase, possess, or train a bear for bear wrestling. Bear wrestling matches used to be a pretty big deal in Alabama. They were so popular that the state of Alabama added a law under Section 13A-12-5 about “bear exploitation” that explicitly forbids people from engaging in bear wrestling matches. This is a Class B felony which is the same as being charged with manslaughter, so this is a big deal.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About The Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial was built to honor the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Ground was broken for the Jefferson Memorial on December 15, 1938, the 147th anniversary of the adoption of the American Bill of Rights. Here are five things you didn't know about the Jefferson Memorial.

It Was Once The Site Of A Popular Beach In Washington

The Tidal Basin, which is the center of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival and the setting of the Jefferson Memorial, was originally a popular beach that once featured a cabana and diving platform. At the time,  this summertime swimming hole was a "whites only" facility.  After much debate over establishing a similar beach site for African Americans, it was decided that the Tidal Basin would be closed to everyone instead.

It Was Originally A Memorial Site For Theodore Roosevelt

Once the Tidal Basin beach was closed to the public in 1925, the site was slated to house a memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt. Architect John Russell Pope (who had lost the Lincoln Memorial competition in 1911) won a competition to design the memorial,  which would have included “two quarter-circle colonnades flanking a large circular basin, which was to contain a central island with an arrangement of a sculpture and a fountain,” according to the National Park Service. The memorial never came to be, as there was no government funding available for it at the time.

The Construction Of The Jefferson Memorial Sparked The 'Cherry Tree Rebellion'

The site of the Jefferson Memorial was marked by lush cherry trees, which were a gift to the city from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. But there was great concern that the construction of the memorial would cause damage to these beloved trees, which sparked outrage from the community. In late 1938, 50 women protested at the White House against the destruction of the cherry trees as a result of the construction of the memorial. Some protesters even chained themselves to a tree at the site, an event that would eventually be known as the "Cherry Tree Rebellion."

The Bronze Statue Weighs 10,000 Pounds And Stands 19 Feet Tall

Considering the magnitude of Jefferson's statue and its bronze material, it should come as no surprise that it weighs quite a bit. Jefferson's likeness was originally made of plaster as a result of the shortage of metal during the Second World War. Four years later, a permanent bronze statue was installed, leading to the structure's colossal weight of 10,000 pounds. The dome of the Jefferson Memorial is 165 feet in diameter and contains 26 pillars.

It Was Dedicated On The 200th Anniversary of Jefferson's Birthday

Although construction began on December 15, 1938, the cornerstone was laid on November 15, 1939, by Franklin Roosevelt. By this point John Russell Pope had died (1937) and his surviving partners, Daniel P. Higgins and Otto R. Eggers, took over construction of the Jefferson Memorial. memorial. It was officially dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt on April 13, 1943, the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Larry King

On December 16, 2010, Larry King hosted the final episode of his CNN talk show with a serenade from Tony Bennett, a greeting from President Obama and a "Larry King Day" proclamation from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Here are five things you didn’t know about Larry King...

A Liquor Store Made Him A King

In 1957, Larry Zeiger moved to Miami from Brooklyn to find fame as a media personality. His first boss was insistent that his name was not memorable and far too ethnic, and the search was on for a new name. That would come in short order as the boss saw an ad for a liquor store called Kings Wholesale and dubbed the future T.V. royalty Larry King.

He Called Miami Dolphins Game

Prior to becoming famous on CNN, Larry King spent 20 years working the local media market in Miami. One of his stints was an analyst for the Miami Dolphins games for WIOD-610. He spent a portion of the 1969-71 and 1977 seasons in the booth. The one game King would have enjoyed calling was the Super Bowl on January 16, 1972, but he did not get the chance. King was arrested in December of 1971 for grand larceny, a charge that was later dismissed.

He Hit John F. Kennedy

In 1958, early in his media career, Larry King was involved in a fender-bender in Miami, Florida. Coincidentally, the other motorist just happened to be Senator John F. Kennedy. According to King, Kennedy angrily asked him, "Early Sunday morning, no traffic, not a cloud in the sky, I'm parked — how could you run into me?" After calming down, the future president told King he would forget the whole thing if King promised to vote for him when he ran for president.

Show Preparation Is Not King’s Thing

King is well-known for showing little interest in prepping before his shows because he feels it better to learn about the subject along with his audience. This has led to some funny interviews over the years including an interview with Jerry Seinfeld in 2007. They were discussing his television series “Seinfeld” when King innocently asked if the series was cancelled or if Jerry had just given it up. Seinfeld was obviously upset as he went on a tirade about it. He emphatically stated that he was the one that called it quits and the show was not ‘cancelled.’

Marlon Brando Kissed Him

In a 1994 interview, Larry King spent the better part of 90 minutes flirting with a 70-year-old Marlon Brando, hitting him in the head with note cards and adorning him with flattery like, "Time goes so fast with you." Brando played right back, at one point dabbing the suspenders-donning host's head with a towel when he started to sweat up and leading him into a duet of "I Can't Get Started." As the hour-and-a-half love fest finished, Brando turned to King and said, "Darling, goodbye," and then kissed King on the mouth.

[phkrause]

7 Times The Simpsons Successfully Predicted The Future

On December 17, 1989, the animated TV series "The Simpsons" premiered on Fox. Over the last 32 years,  The Simpson, has had many moments that have manifested themselves in real life. Here are seven times show has successfully predicted the future...

They Predicted That Donald Trump Would Be President

In an episode titled “Bart to the Future,” that originally aired on March 19, 2000,  Lisa has become president of the United States.  In a cabinet meeting, she mentions, "We inherited quite the budget crunch from President Trump." The episode was widely circulated on social media when Donald Trump was elected president in 2016. The week after the election, the recurring chalkboard gag even read, "Being right sucks."

Correct Predictions of Super Bowl Winners

In Season 3, Episode 14, titled "Lisa the Greek" the football-centric episode came only a few days before Super Bowl XXVI, and Lisa correctly predicted the Washington Redskins would win. The next year, the staff decided to dub in the names of that year's competing teams, and they were once again correct with their call of the Dallas Cowboys as victors.

Auto-Correct Was Predicted

This is one of the few cases when The Simpsons not only made a prediction but actively contributed to events. In “The Simpsons” Episode 8 of Season 6, Dolph, the bully. writes on his Apple Newton “Beat up Martin,” and it comes out as “Eat up, Martha.” While Apple was working on the keyboard for their iPhone years later, employees would reportedly say “Eat up, Martha” to remind each other how important the feature was.

The Beatles Sending Belated Fan Mail

In the second season, titled "Brush with Greatness," Marge Simpson reveals in high school she sent celebrity crush Ringo Starr a painting. After decades pass, Ringo finally sends back a response, fulfilling a vow to return all fan mail. The prediction seemed to pass between the living Beatles, as, in 2013, two women from Essex received a reply from Sir Paul McCartney after sending him a mixtape 50 years earlier.

The Siegfried and Roy Tiger Attack

In Episode 10, Season 5, Mr. Burns opens a casino after Springfield legalizes gambling. A circus act starring Gunter and Ernst, who are obviously patterned on Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried and Roy, ends badly when they are attacked by their white tiger. Ten years later, Roy Horn was attacked and seriously injured on stage by a tiger during his Las Vegas act.

Freaky Voting Machines

During “Treehouse of Horror XIX,” which aired during Season 20, Episode 4, Homer tried to vote for the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, but the machine counted it for the Republican candidate, John McCain. Flipping votes turned out to be an issue in part of the election. It took a full election cycle for this one to occur, as a 2012 viral video depicted a voting booth in Pennsylvania doing the same thing with Obama and Mitt Romney. Present Trump has made the same claim.

The Ebola Outbreak Was Predicted

"Lisa's Sax" is the third episode of the ninth season and originally aired on October 19, 1997.  In the episode, Marge attempted to cheer up Bart by reading the book “Curious George and the Ebola Virus.” Though the disease had existed prior to the episode, the largest outbreak of Ebola would occur during 2014 and 2015 with thousands of deaths reported in Africa.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Mayflower_3

On December 18, 1620, the British ship Mayflower docked at Plymouth Harbor, carrying 102 passengers who intended to settle in the new world. Here are five surprising facts you probably didn't know about the Mayflower's journey...

There Were Originally Two Ships Sailing For North America

Two ships, the Mayflower and the Speedwell, originally left for North America on August 5, 1620. But the Speedwell sprung a leak—three times—and had to return to England for repairs. Eventually, the Speedwell had to be abandoned, and a small group of passengers were chosen to go on the remaining ship. When the Mayflower left on September 16, only about a third of the 102 passengers were Puritan Separatists. The remaining passengers were what the Puritans called “Strangers”—hired hands, servants, and farmers recruited by London merchants and headed for the Colony of Virginia.

The New Colonists Had No Idea They Were The Pilgrims

The new colonists were Puritans and would not have recognized themselves as “Pilgrims,” since the term wasn’t introduced until the early part of the 19th century. The first reference comes from a manuscript in which Governor Bradford spoke of the “saints” who left Holland as “pilgrimes.” The term only entered common usage, though, after a bicentennial celebration of Plymouth’s founding in 1820 when statesman Daniel Webster spoke of “Pilgrim Fathers.”

The Mayflower Never Reached Its Intended Destination

There was calm, easy sailing until the second half of the trip when storms and high seas pushed the Mayflower 500 miles off course. The Puritans intended to land in northern Virginia, but after being nearly shipwrecked, they turned back north and landed in what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts. They spent the next month exploring the land surrounding Cape Cod before they decided where to construct their settlement.

A Rebellion by the “Strangers” Caused Problems

Because the Mayflower did not land in Virginia, the “Strangers” argued the original Virginia Company contract they had signed was null and void. Since there was no valid contract and no official government, the strangers said they would not recognize the Pilgrim’s rules. To quell the rebellion, a set of temporary laws was drawn up. The agreement, later known as the Mayflower Compact, was a short document that stipulated that all the occupants would stay loyal to King James and that they would establish laws, acts, ordinances, and a constitution, that would benefit the colony. The Mayflower Compact was the first document to establish self-government in the New World and proved to be an early, successful attempt at democracy in America.

Settlers Discovered The Harshness of New England Winters

The Puritans and Strangers were unprepared for the harsh New England winters. While they received some food from the natives, they had no shelter and were forced to stay aboard the ship. An outbreak of contagious disease—described as a mixture of scurvy, pneumonia, and tuberculosis—afflicted them through the winter. By the Spring, only 53 settlers and half the ship’s crew remained. In the spring, the settlers built huts, and were finally able to disembark from Mayflower on March 21, 1621.

[phkrause]

5 Facts About President Bill Clinton’s Impeachment

On December 19, 1998, after nearly 14 hours of debate, the House of Representatives approved two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton. Here are five things you didn’t know about President Bill Clinton’s impeachment.

Monica Lewinsky Admitted to Ten Sexual Encounters With The President

Monica Lewinsky was working as an unpaid intern and was transferred to the White House's West Wing in 1995, along with some other interns, to run errands and answer phones. According to her, after she met the president, they had a total of ten sexual encounters, the last being in the spring of 1997, and continued talking by phone afterward.

Clinton Lied About His Relationship With Lewinski

President Clinton was being sued by an Arkansas state employee, Paula Jones, on the grounds of sexual harassment, which was being investigated by Kenneth Starr, when his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, the 22-year-old White House intern, was called called into question. President Clinton denied the sexual relationship with the statement, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky."

A Blue Dress Brought Clinton Down

A semen stain on a blue dress was used as evidence to link Clinton to the affair with Lewinsky during his presidency. The blue dress worn by Monica Lewinsky became an important piece of of physical evidence confirming Bill Clinton's sexual relationship with Lewinsky. Lewinsky received immunity in exchange for grand jury testimony concerning her relationship with Clinton. She also turned over the semen-stained blue dress (that Linda Tripp had encouraged her to save without dry cleaning) to the Starr investigators, thereby providing unambiguous DNA evidence that could prove the relationship despite Clinton's official denials.

Clinton Was Charged With Lying and Obstruction of Justice

Clinton was charged with two articles of impeachment. The first was that he lied about his relationship with the White House intern, made false statements, and tried to influence her testimony. The second charge involved obstruction of justice by encouraging the young woman to lie and hide the presence of gifts he had given her and others.

The Votes Were Not There to Remove Clinton From Office

On February 9, 1999, the Senate began impeachment deliberations behind closed doors, which would have required 67 votes to convict the president and remove him from office. When the votes were tallied in the charge of perjury, 45 Senators voted for and 55 voted against removal. On obstruction of justice, the vote was 50/50, which fell far short of the necessary votes for removal and conviction.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About "It's a Wonderful Life"

On December 20, 1946, the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life had a preview showing for charity at New York City's Globe Theater, a day before its official premiere. Even if you've seen the film dozens of times, we still have 5 things you probably didn't know about the film It’s a Wonderful Life.

A Christmas Card Was The Basis For The Movie

When RKO Pictures bought the rights to the film, they hoped their star Cary Grant would take the leading role of George Bailey. However when Capra came onboard, he brought Jimmy Stewart along with him. As for Mary Hatch Bailey, the role was reportedly offered to Jean Arthur, Olivia de Havilland, Ann Dvorak, and Ginger Rogers, who called the character "too bland." Ultimately, the part went to Donna Reed for her first starring role.

They Invented A New Type Of Snow For The Film

Before CGI and green-screen technology, special effects artists had to be very creative. For example, when making it snow in films, it was common to use painted cornflakes as stand-ins for snowflakes. Capra, though, didn't like the crunching noise when actors stepped on the cereal.  Instead, the special effects team came up with new artificial snow made of sugar, fire extinguisher foam, soap, and water, which a wind machine blew to create a fake snowstorm.

Karolyn Grimes Didn't See The Film For 40 Years

Karolyn Grimes played the youngest daughter in the Bailey family, ZuZu, and was the girl who said “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." According to Grimes, she never saw the movie until 1980. "I never took the time to see the movie," she told Detroit's WWJ in 2013. "I never just sat down and watched the film." She made up for lost time, though, telling Vanity Fair that she has now seen it over 500 times.

The Little Rascals' Alfalfa Appeared In The Movie

Carl Switzer, who was best known for his role as Alfalfa in The Little Rascals had a small role in the film. He played the character Freddie, who took Bailey’s future wife, Mary Hatch, to a school dance. During this scene, the dance floor opens to reveal a swimming pool, Bailey and Mary fall in and a lot of the other revelers jump in the water too. Switzer, unable to overcome typecasting after playing Alfalfa, only played in a few minor roles in his career, and was killed in an argument about money in 1959 at age 31.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Might Not Know About The Battle Of The Bulge

On this day in 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge,  Nazi Germany demanded that American troops surrender at Bastogne, Belgium.  Brigadier Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe responded with the amusing reply: "Nuts!" Here are 5 facts about the battle that Winston Churchill called “the greatest American battle” of World War II.

The Term "Battle of the Bulge" Was Coined By Reporter Larry Newman

Larry Newman was reporting on the Second World War for the United Press International and the International News Service. He met with American General George Patton on December 30th, 1944, to discuss the German counterattack and decided to give the battle a memorable yet informal name.
After scanning over some war maps, he noticed the growth in numbers—or "bulging"—of the German troops, and that influenced his decision to refer to the fight as the "Battle of the Bulge." The phrase quickly spread throughout American journalism with many other reporters adopting the new name.

Trivia Was Used To Weed Out German Spies

Before and during the Battle of the Bulge, German troops would dress in Allied uniforms to help them get behind enemy lines. Eventually, Americans found out about the scheme. To prevent Germans disguised as Allies from sneaking in, American checkpoints required anyone who wanted to cross to correctly answer a series of trivia questions about American pop culture. Some questions included “Who plays center field for the Yankees?” and “What’s Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend’s name?” General Bradley once had to prove his identity by “naming the then-current spouse of movie star named Betty Grable”.

When Asked To Surrender, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe Replied With This Four-Letter Word

On December 22nd, 1944 German troops caught 14,000 American soldiers and approximately 3,000 civilians by surrounding the town of Bastogne, Belgium. The Nazis sent a message to Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, explaining that the town had been enclosed by German units and gave him two hours to surrender. Upon hearing the demand, McAuliffe responded, "Nuts!"  This amused some of his staffers, who persuaded him to put that little interjection in his formal reply. Here’s McAuliffe’s actual written response to General Lüttwitz:

“December 22, 1944

To the German Commander,

N U T S!

Signed,

The American Commander"

The isolated Americans in Bastogne held off the German siege until General Patton forced his way into the city with reinforcements on December 26.

Illness and Injuries Hit Epidemic Levels

“I was from Buffalo, I thought I knew cold,” Warren Spahn, a baseball Hall of Famer who served in WWII, later said. “But I didn’t really know cold until the Battle of the Bulge.” The December temperatures during the Battle of the Bulge were incredibly frigid. Hitler used the brutal weather to his advantage by timing his attack for the middle of December when temperatures dipped far below the freezing mark, and when the fog was thick. Such conditions would make it difficult for the Allies to attack German ground troops with their aircraft. American troops were not dressed for these conditions either, furthering their disadvantage. Without waterproof combat boots, it was nearly impossible to keep their feet dry and warm. Eventually, over 64,000 cases of "cold injuries'' were reported, which included pneumonia and "trench foot.

Segregation Was Temporarily Halted To Integrate African-American Soldiers

About 1.2 million African-Americans served in the Second World War, but black troops were not allowed to fight side by side along with white soldiers. However, in response to personnel shortages in the Ardennes, General Eisenhower invited over 2,200 black soldiers to fight “shoulder to shoulder” with their white counterparts. Unfortunately, black soldiers were segregated once again after the Battle of the Bulge ended. It wouldn't be until 1948, three years after the end of WWII, that President Truman would finally commit to integrating the armed services.

[phkrause]

6 Things You Didn't Know About Vincent van Gogh_3

On December 23, 1888, Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear.  Van Gogh's life had been marked by irrational and unexpected behavior, but these episodes did not stop him from creating some of the world's most famous paintings. Here are 5 lesser-known facts about Van Gogh...

Van Gogh Was the 19th Century King of Selfies

In a period of three years, van Gogh produced over 36 self-portraits. While tempting to consider this an exercise in vanity, it’s more likely that this was a result of poverty, in both an emotional and financial sense. The artist didn’t have the funds to pay for professional models, and given the overall lack of human interaction in his life, finding friends to pose for him would have been just as difficult.

He Only Signed His First Name On His Paintings

Van Gogh was so confident in his style that he signed all his paintings simply “Vincent.” He might also have inspired by his hero, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who similarly only signed with his first name. But another reason may have been because his Dutch last name was difficult to pronounce.

Most Of His Paintings Were Made In A Single Decade

Van Gogh must have worked feverishly between 1880 and 1890 because he created more than 2,000 paintings, drawings, sketches, and watercolors during this time period. Shortly before his death, when was living in Auvers-sur-Oise, he created about a new painting per day.

He Felt The Starry Night Was a Failure

Van Gogh had a mental breakdown in the winter of 1888, and checked himself into an asylum in France.  While there, he painted his most famous piece, Starry Night. The painting depicted the view from his window there at night. It's believed van Gogh painted this view 21 times, and an interesting point is that none of them include the bars that covered his asylum window. While the painting is perhaps the one most commonly associated with his name, van Gogh was not pleased with it. In fact, he considered it to be a complete failure, saying that neither “Starry Night” nor the other paintings made inside the asylum meant anything to him. 

Van Gogh’s Sister-In-Law Made Him Famous

Van Gogh’s name would have most likely faded into oblivion if it weren't for his brother Theo’s wife Johanna.  Following Vincent and Theo's death, Johanna inherited many of Vincent's paintings and made it her mission to promote them by loaning them for various exhibitions.  It was Johanna’s son, Vincent, who founded the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 1973.

No One Really Knows Exactly Why van Gogh Cut Off His Ear

Some historians believe he sliced off his ear after a quarrel he had with his friend and fellow painter, Paul Gauguin. Others have theorized that the act was in reaction to news that his younger brother Theo was getting married. Other rumors say that he cut it off as a gift for a prostitute or that it was a present for a farmer’s daughter who worked in a brothel as a maid. Whatever the reason was, it was likely done in a moment when his mental illness overcame him.

[phkrause]

5 Surprising Facts About Your Favorite Christmas Movies

Today is Christmas Eve, and many people will be watching Christmas movies in anticipation of the big day. Here are five fascinating facts which reveal some secrets behind some of your favorite festive films...

Donald Trump Insisted On Appearing In Home Alone 2

Ever since Donald Trump has become President of the United States, some of his old cameos have circulated around social media. And there’s a really famous one in Home Alone 2, when young Kevin asks Trump for directions to the lobby. Apparently Trump would only allow filming permission in the Plaza Hotel (which he owned at the time) in exchange for a part in the movie. Trump made the same requirement for 1992's Scent of a Woman, but the scene filmed with him at the Plaza Hotel ended up on the cutting room floor. Macaulay Culkin has reportedly stated that the first Home Alone movie is by far his favorite because it has "100% less Donald Trump" in it. Ouch!

Peter Billingsley Has Appeared in Several Christmas Movies

Remember adorable young Peter Billingsley as Ralphie in A Christmas Story? Actor Peter Billingsley has since appeared in two other surprising holiday movies. He was the ticket agent in Four Christmases (he's also one of the executive producers), and he also appeared in Elf in the role of Ming Ming, even though the part is uncredited.

"Christmas Vacation" Has A Connection To "It’s a Wonderful Life"

You might have noticed a scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, where Rusty is watching the classic Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life. This was a deliberate inclusion on the part of filmmakers. Frank Capra directed and wrote It’s A Wonderful Life, and Capra’s grandson was the second assistant director of "Christmas Vacation".  Frank Capra III would later go on to find fame in Roseanne and How I Met Your Mother.

The Parade in Miracle on 34th Street Could Had To Be Shot All In One Day

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade makes a prominent appearance in Miracle on 34th Street. The movie’s producers decided to shoot the scenes during the actual 1946 Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York – which put some time constraints on the filming schedule. The actors and crew only had one chance to film all of the necessary scenes. Lead actress Maureen O’Hara revealed in her autobiography that Edmund Gwenn – who later won an Oscar for his portrayal of Kris Kringle – actually arranged to play Santa in the parade so the film could capture the necessary shots it needed. Luckily all of the actors and crew managed to nail their scenes and the Thanksgiving Day parade became an excellent backdrop for the film.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Could Have Looked Very Diffeent

Jim Carrey brought Dr Seuss’ story of the Grinch who stole Christmas to life with his appearance in the 2003 movie of the same name. But the Ace Ventura star wasn’t always first choice to play the grumpy green monster. Jack Nicholson and Eddie Murphy were both considered for the role of the Grinch before Carrey got the part. The film nearly never got made at all though. Before his death in 1991, Dr Seuss refused to sell the rights to the movie. However, his widow Audrey Geisel had always seen the potential of a live-action version of the story and auctioned off the rights in 1998.

[phkrause]

Ho Ho Ho, Here's 6 Things You Didn't Know About Christmas

December 25 is Christmas Day, and it has been celebrated since the year 336 A.D. when the Roman Emperor Constantine held the first celebration. Here are 6 surprising facts you probably didn't know about Christmas...

Christmas Wasn’t Always Celebrated on December 25

While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no mention of December 25 in the Bible. Most historians actually posit that Jesus was born in the spring. And his birthday itself didn't become the official holiday until the third century. Some historian believe the date was actually chosen because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn with celebrating and gift-giving.

You Can Thank Prince Albert For Your Christmas Tree

Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to his wife, Queen Victoria of England, because decorated trees had been a tradition in his homeland of Germany as far back as medieval times. A drawing of the couple in front of a Christmas tree appeared in Illustrated London News in 1848 and as we say, the idea went viral.

Coca-Cola Played A Part In Santa's Image

In the early days, Santa was depicted as tall and gaunt, and in some cases, he appeared as a spooky elf with a bishop’s robe and animal skin. In 1931, Coca-Cola illustrator Haddon Sundblom redesigned Santa’s image to use in the company’s magazine ads, and that is the figure recognized today as the jolly old elf.

This Christmas Gift Held A Lifesaving Secret During World War II

During World War II, British and American intelligence agencies joined forces with the United States Playing Card Company to create a very special deck of cards. The cards were handed out for Christmas to help prisoners of war escape  Nazi POW camps. Individual cards peeled apart when moistened, to reveal maps of escape routes.

Christmas Was Illegal in Boston At One Time

Between 1659 and 1681, Christmas was outlawed by Puritans who had settled in Boston. During those years, those making too merry on that day could be faced with a fine of five shillings. After the Revolutionary War, the day was so unimportant that Congress even held their first session on December 25, 1789. Christmas wasn't proclaimed a federal holiday for almost another century in 1870.

“Jingle Bells” Was The First Song Played In Space

"Jingle Bells" was the first song broadcast from space, in a Christmas-themed prank by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra. In 1965, shortly before Christmas, the astronauts reported that they spotted a UFO entering the Earth’s atmosphere and that it was moving away from the North Pole and headed south. Before the people at NASA’s Mission Control became too shocked, the astronauts started playing the song “Jingle Bells.” The astronauts joined in with Tom Stafford shaking the sleigh bells he had smuggled aboard and Wally Schirra playing a miniature harmonica.