Trivia

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Roe vs. Wade_2

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court handed down its famous Roe v. Wade decision, which protected a woman’s ability to choose whether or not to give birth. Here are 5 things you should know about Roe v. Wade on its anniversary...

Jane Roe’s Real Name Was Norma Leah McCorvey

Jane Roe, the 21-year-old represented in the Supreme Court decision was actually Norma McCorvey, a woman who had already given up two children for adoption. Because the only way to obtain a legal abortion was in the case of rape, McCorvey originally claimed she had been raped. However, when there was insufficient evidence to prove her claim, she was referred to two attorneys who were looking for women interested in fighting to legalize abortion. Those attorneys were Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington.

McCorvey Never Actually Had An Abortion

Despite being forever tied to the famous case, McCorvey never had an abortion. It took three years for the case to be decided, in which time McCorvey had the child she had meant to abort. She gave that child up for adoption, as she had done with her first two children. In fact, McCorvey never actually even attended the trial at all.

The Entire Supreme Court Was Male

When attorneys Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington set out to sue district attorney of Dallas Henry B. Wade, on Roe’s behalf, they were up against three male lawyers. They also presented to an all-male Supreme Court. To give you an idea of what the women were up against, attorney Jay Floyd, during his opening argument said, "Mr. Chief Justice and may it please the Court. It’s an old joke, but when a man argues against two beautiful ladies like this, they are going to have the last word." No one laughed, and it’s since been regarded as the Worst Joke in Legal History.

The Court Ruled in Favor of McCorvey in a 7-2 Decision

On Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court handed down the watershed ruling that a woman's right to make her own medical decisions, including the choice to have an abortion, is protected under the 14th Amendment. After the decision, SCOTUS had to work on consent issues, both parental and spousal, as well as struggling with appropriate waiting periods for women hoping to get an abortion.

McCorvey Tried To Have Roe v. Wade Overturned

In a surprising turn of events, in 2003, after converting to Christianity, McCorvey filed a motion to have Roe v. Wade overturned, citing that "abortion hurts women." The following year, the motion was dismissed. Norma McCorvey left her job at an abortion clinic, and would go on to become a powerful pro-life voice. McCorvey died in an assisted living home in Texas at age 69, in February 2017. 

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Five Things You Didn't Know About The Frisbee

On January 23, 1957, the Wham-O toy company produced their aerodynamic flying disks that would soon become known as the Frisbee. Here are five interesting things about the Frisbee that you probably didn't know.

Ivy League College Kids Got the Ball Rolling With Frisbees

The early origins of Frisbee tossing began in the 1920s when, for fun, students at Ivy League colleges began to toss around the empty tins of the pies and cookies that were delivered to their schools by the Frisbie Baking Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. 

The Name "Frisbee" Began As The Catch-Phrase For An Incoming Toss

The college students who embarked in their new-found game would yell "Frisbie!", the name of the baking company, to alert the catcher of an incoming toss. The spelling of the name of the now-classic game has since been slightly modified to a double "e" at the end rather than the original "ie," as was the name of the Connecticut-based baking company.

The Son of The Sealed Beam Headlight Inventor Created the Plastic Version of The Frisbee

The game with flying tins captured the attention of Walter Frederick Morrison, the son of the inventor of the sealed beam headlight for automobiles. In 1948, Morrison took his interest in the Frisbee and combined it with his interest in aviation and plastic to create what we now know as the modern plastic Frisbee. His plastic version of the disc was originally carved out of a block of "Tenite," a type of cellulosic thermoplastic material that he used to form his flying disc.

Toy Company Wham-O Eventually Bought the Rights to The Frisbee Invention

In 1955, nearly a decade after he came up with the plastic version of the Frisbee, Morrison sold the invention to Wham-O, an American toy company. Two years later, Wham-O introduced it to the public as the "Pluto Platter." The name was in reference to the dwarf planet Pluto—Americans were highly captivated with UFOs at the time, and the disc resembled images of flying saucers. A year later, Wham-O altered the toy and introduced it to the public as the "Frisbee." It was an instant hit and continues to be a popular game. And while several other toy manufacturers make plastic flying discs, only Wham-O makes the authentic "Frisbee."

$400,000 Was Spent By the US Navy to Study the Frisbee's Motion

In 1968, the US Navy spent approximately $400,000 to study the Frisbee's motion and ability to remain suspended in the air. They used wind tunnels to measure the Frisbee's lift. Both spinning and non-spinning tests in wind tunnels were conducted to quantify the impact of spin on aerodynamic forces. Since then, many other wind tunnel studies have been conducted using the Frisbee.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Winston Churchill

On January 24, 1965, British statesman Winston Churchill died in his London home at Hyde Park Gate at the age of 90. Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through World War II.

The Man Seemed To Have Nine Lives

The fact that Winston Churchill lived to the ripe old age of 90 is impressive, especially given his lifestyle and the medical situations he found himself in over his lifetime. Ultimately, it was a stroke that claimed his life (his last of many). But Churchill had suffered a host of other medical issues and life-threatening events, including a concussion and ruptured kidney after falling off a bridge, a near-drowning, a dislocated shoulder while disembarking a ship, a handful of falls off horses, being hit by a car, and even being in a plane crash. 

He Was The First Recipient Of The Term "OMG"

Teenagers were not the first to use the phrase “OMG” as an abbreviation for “Oh my God.” Amazingly enough, it was first used in a letter that was written to Winston Churchill on September 9, 1917, by a retired admiral of the British Navy named John Arbuthnot Fisher. He was complaining about Britain’s naval strategy in World War I against Germany, and he was actually using it in a kind of a sarcastic way. Lord Fisher’s letter went unnoticed for nearly a century until it was unearthed by lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary, when they added an entry for “OMG” in March 2011. 

He Had a Cigar Named After Him

Winston Churchill began smoking at a very early age, and his mother despised his habit. In fact, she was so eager for him to stop that she promised to buy him a pony and a gun if he quit for six months. He was only 15 years old at the time of this request. He obliged, but once the six-month time frame elapsed, he started smoking again. He became so well known for smoking cigars, he actually had one named after him. The Cuban “Churchill” cigar is about seven inches long and 19 millimeters wide.

He Claimed That He Saw Abraham Lincoln's Ghost

Churchill claimed that he saw the spirit of Abraham Lincoln during an overnight stay in the White House.  It happened one late night after he climbed out of the bath tub naked, and walked into the adjoining bedroom. He was startled to see Lincoln standing by the fireplace in the room, leaning on the mantle. Churchill, always quick on the uptake, and said "Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage." Lincoln smiled softly, as if laughing and disappeared. Churchill smiled in embarrassment. Churchill is in good company, though, as others—including Theodore Roosevelt and the daughter of Ronald Reagan—have also claimed to have seen Lincoln's ghost.

He Made It Onto The Music Charts

Churchill may be best known for leading Britain through WWII, but he also managed to make it onto the music charts, twice. His first time on the charts was for a compilation of his speeches in 1965, and the second time was part of a 70th anniversary compilation for the Battle of Britain. Unfortunately, Churchill was not around to enjoy these accolades, as both took place after his death.

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5 Things You May Not Know About The Winter Olympics

On January 25, 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games took place at Chamonix in the French Alps. Here are five interesting facts you probably didn't know about the Winter Olympics...

Figure Skating And Ice Hockey Were Originally Part Of The Summer Olympics

Two of the most popular sports on ice actually made their Olympic debuts during the Summer Games. That said, the Summer Olympics took place over a much longer period of time than they do nowadays, so these two particular sports actually were scheduled in the latter months of the year. Figure skating first took place at the London Summer Games in October 1908, then returned to the tournament along with hockey in April 1920 in Antwerp.  Both sports shifted to the Winter Olympics when they debuted in 1924.

A Lack Of Snow Required Military Intervention In 1964

Certain sports in the Winter Games require snow and ice. Unfortunately, there was a lack of snow back in the 1964 Games held in Sochi, Russia. To deal with the absence of snow, the Austrian army was called in to transfer over 50,000 cubic yards of snow from other nearby mountains to the ski courses of Innsbruck, along with 20,000 ice blocks for the bobsled and luge tracks. The soldiers worked tirelessly to not only bring the in ice and snow to Sochi, but also packed it down with their hands and feet.

It Took 82 Years For A British Curling Team To Receive Gold Medals

At the inaugural Winter Olympic Games, Great Britain took the top spot it the curling event.  Curling did not return to the official program of the Winter Games until 1998. For decades, curling was considered to have been a demonstration sport at the 1924 Winter Olympics. However, in 2006 the International Olympic Committee ruled that the sport had indeed been part of the official program, and it upgraded the curling team’s gold medals from demonstration to official status.

Norway Has More Winter Olympic Gold Medals Than Any Other Nation

Despite its small population of just five million people, Norway has won more gold medals in the Winter Olympics than any other country.  a total of 368 medals since the first Winter Olympics in 1924 – this tally includes 132 gold medals, 125 silver, and 111 bronze.  Furthermore, Norway is one of only three countries—the other two being Liechtenstein and Austria—that has taken home more Olympic medals in the Winter Games than the Summer Games.

Two Men’s Hockey Teams From The United States Arrived At The 1948 Games

Two men’s hockey teams from the United States arrived at the 1948 Games. Talk about awkward. Two teams, backed by rival hockey associations, arrived at the 1948 St. Moritz Winter Games claiming they were the rightful squad to compete for the United States. The team backed by the American Hockey Association, which included professionals, was ultimately recognized as the official American team, while the strictly amateur squad sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union and the United States Olympic Committee sat on the sidelines and even booed their compatriots from the stands.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, basketball star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers. Here are 5 things you might not know about Kobe Bryant on the one year anniversary of his tragic death.

A "Tasteful" Decision Led To His Unusual Name

Parents choose baby names for a variety of reasons, but Bryant's parents made a truly unique choice. Reportedly, it was their fascination with Kobe steak, a type of Japanese beef highly prized for its unique marbling and flavor, that led them to name their son Kobe. Bryant himself reported that his middle name was also representative of his parents' love of food, being "Bean," though his birth certificate does not confirm that officially.

His Prom Date Was Already Famous

While everyone dreams of taking someone really spectacular to their prom, Bryant was able to actually pull it off. His prom date was none other than the Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter Brandy, who was already a celebrity at that point. The two remained friends until his death in 2020.

He Made History Straight Out Of High School

Relatively few young men have been drafted into the NBA straight from high school, but even among that elite group, Kobe stands out as the first guard to ever be drafted from high school rather than from a collegiate team to the NBA. 

He Was Fluent In Italian

Kobe's father was also a basketball player and, after leaving the NBA, he played in the Italian basketball league. So, between the ages of 6 and 13, Kobe lived in Italy, where he became fluent in Italian and began to play the sport that later made him famous. According to information from the NBA, he spoke four languages, which was instrumental in the international growth of the NBA during his 20-year career with that organization.

He Is The Only NBA Player To Have Two Jersey Numbers Retired By The Same Team

Kobe has another unique, yet impressive accolade. He is the only player in the league to ever have two jersey numbers retired for the same team. In his career with the Lakers, Kobe wore both #8 and #24. He won three NBA championships wearing #8, and two others wearing #24. Wearing the #8 jersey, he scored an amazing 16,777 points. When sporting the jersey number #24, he scored another 16,866 points. It's little wonder that the Lakers chose to honor his contributions to the team by retiring both jerseys in December of 2017.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About J. D. Salinger

On January 27, 2010, J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author of the novel The Catcher in the Rye, died in Cornish, New Hampshire at the age of 91. Here are 5 fascinating facts you probably didn’t know about this eccentric author...

He Refused to Allow His Work To Be Edited

In the normal course of events, an author expects to be asked to make at least minor changes to a manuscript prior to publication based on the recommendation of one or more editors. Salinger, however, was notoriously resistant to that notion. Harcourt Brace offered to publish The Catcher in the Rye, but Salinger declined the deal when the publisher insisted on certain rewrites. Instead, he waited to publish the book until he found a publishing house that would publish it "as is." The untouched book was eventually released by Little, Brown and Company. The book became an instant success and has sold over 65 million copies since its publication.

He Only Gave One Interview

Salinger became more and more reclusive after his blockbuster novel was published. He refused to allow his photo to appear on the dust jacket, and turned down any opportunities to publicize it—with one exception.  After moving to New Hampshire, Salinger agreed to give an interview to a local high school paper, The Claremont Daily Eagle.  When he saw that the interview had been published as a front-page article in the local newspaper, he felt betrayed, and erected a high fence surrounding his property to safeguard his privacy. 

The New Yorker Declined To Print A Catcher In The Rye Exceprt

The New Yorker had published several of Salinger's stories prior to the debut of his novel, so it must have been a shock to the author when the magazine declined to publish an excerpt from The Catcher in the Rye when an advance copy of the book was given to the magazine for that purpose. Editors for the magazine felt the characters were "unbelievable," and declined to run any of it.

He Has Some Rather Strange Personal Habits

As is the case with many reclusive people, Salinger was often the subject of wild conjecture and rumor. However, even those who knew him intimately have revealed some behaviors that could be classified as uncommon if not a bit strange. For instance, his daughter, Margaret, revealed in a memoir that her father would occasionally speak in tongues and would sip his own urine with the belief that doing so had some health benefit, a practice known as urophagia.

Sallinger And Charlie Chaplin Were Rivals

In 1941, 22-year-old Salinger dated Oona O'Neill, a 16-year-old New York socialite and the daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill. Their relationship ended when Salinger went to war and Oona moved to California where she met silent screen legend Charlie Chaplin, eventually becoming Chaplin's fourth wife. Salinger read about the marriage in the newspaper and wrote a scathing letter to her about her marriage to the famous funny man.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About "We Are the World"

On January 28, 1985, music's mega stars gathered together to record "We Are the World." More than 45 artists lent their talents to raise money for African famine relief efforts. To mark this anniversary, we've put together five facts you may not know about this historic celebrity benefit.

Harry Belafonte Got The Ball Rolling

Earlier in the 1980s, a large celebrity charity single called "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released by Band Aid, a supergroup of UK singing celebrities that included Culture Club, U2, Wham!, Duran Duran, and others. The project, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, was a huge success, and Harry Belafonte took notice. If the UK stars could do it, why not the Americans? Belafonte took the idea to music manager Ken Kragen, who then took it to Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie. They shared the idea with Stevie Wonder and Quincey Jones. Quincey Jones brought in Michael Jackson. Once the ball got rolling, the stars, quite literally, aligned.

Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie Wrote The Song

Michael Jackson provided Lionel Richie with a version of the song that included instrumentation and a chorus. The two worked on the song for a week and began recording it the day after the final version was agreed upon. It was quickly decided that the easiest way to handle the logistics of including everyone who wanted to add their talents to the project was to do the final recording after the American Music Awards, when the artists would all be gathered together in one place and could be easily assembled at a nearby recording studio.

Madonna Missed The Boat, But Caught The Wave

Madonna was enjoying her first number one hit "Like a Virgin" at the time "We Are the World" was recorded. The rising star wanted to be included in the project, but her management team advised her against doing so because it would mean she would have to cancel dates on her "Virgin Tour," hurting the launch of her career. She decided to heed the advice of her managers, and it all turned out just fine. Her second single, "Material Girl," hit number two on the charts, and her hit single "Crazy for You" managed to knock "We Are the World" from its top spot.

The Cast Represented Multiple Generations

As was befitting for a song entitled "We Are the World," the recording included talent from a wide variety of musicians from multiple generations and genres. Harry Belafonte and Ray Charles were something of the elder statesmen, while  Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Diana Ross were among those that came up at Motown in the 60s and early 70s. Bob Dylan was, well, Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen, and Steve Perry  among others, represented the rock side, while Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings brought in the country. In all, more than 45 voices are heard on the track, with 21 having identifiable solo bits.

The Impact Of The Recording Was Huge

The single was released in March and sold eight million copies in the US. More importantly, the song and album raised more than $75 million for famine relief at the time, and it has since been used to raise money for other humanitarian efforts as well. The success of the song led to a series of other such charity recordings by celebrity artists in the following decades, raising millions of dollars for worthy causes.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About William McKinley

On January 29, 1843, William McKinley, who would become the 25th American president and the first to ride in an automobile, was born in Niles, Ohio. Here are 5 interesting facts about the president whose name later graced a mountain...

His Face Was On The $500 Bill

Move over Ben Franklin; McKinley's got you beaten. While Franklin's face graces the $100 bill, it is McKinley's face that was chosen for the $500 bill. If you're scratching your head as to why you did not know that, it might be because the last $500 bill with his likeness was printed in 1934. 

The Mountain Named After Him Lost Its Stature And Then His Name

North America's tallest peak, located in Alaska, was named in honor of the 25th president, though he had never visited the site personally. In 2013, Alaska's governor announced that after measurements were taken with new radar mapping technology, the mountain was not as tall as previously thought—83 feet shorter, in fact.  In any case, just two short years after losing height, the mountain lost the McKinley moniker when Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski submitted a bill to officially rename the peak Denali, a name used by the Koyukon Athabaskan people that had been recognized by the Alaska Board of Geographic Names since 1975.

He Showed Remarkable Kindness To His Assassin

McKinley was shot twice in the torso on September 6, 1901, while he was greeting guests in a receiving line in Buffalo, NY, during the Pan-American Exposition. He is reported to have said regarding the crowd's reaction to the shooter, "Don't let them hurt him." Later, at the hospital, he said of the shooter, "It must have been some poor misguided fellow . . . He didn’t know, poor fellow, what he was doing. He couldn’t have known.”

He Was The First President To Ride In A Car While In Office

William McKinley, who was known for driving his wife Ida in a carriage throughout Washington, became the first United States President to ride in an automobile. The automobile was a Stanley Steamer, but apparently the President was very fearful of the automobile. McKinley confided to a friend that he felt as if the car and its occupants could be blown to bits at any moment, or that the driver would lose control of the vehicle. “Stanley’s overoptimistic, I think, when he says those things will someday replace horses,” McKinley supposedly remarked.

An OB/GYN Performed The Emergency Surgery On Him When He Was Shot

Matthew Mann, a physician and professor of gynecology at the University of Buffalo, was chosen by a hastily assembled group of doctors to perform surgery on McKinley.  Unfortunately, the medical team couldn't find the second bullet during the surgery. Though Thomas Edison sent a new X-Ray machine to help, the doctors decided not to use it, thinking that McKinley's condition was improving. Sadly, that was not the case. Gangrene developed around the path of the second bullet, leading to McKinley's death eight days later on September 14, 1901, just six months into his second term as president.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Lone Ranger

With the stirring notes of the William Tell Overture and a shout of “Hi-yo, Silver! Away!”, The Lone Ranger debuted on Detroit radio on this day in 1933.  To honor this anniversary, here are five things you might not know about one of the world's most beloved masked men.

The Lone Ranger Had To Abide By Some Strict Guidelines

When creating the Lone Ranger character, writer Fran Striker and producer George W. Trendle came up with several guidelines to describe his personality and his behavior. For example, the Lone Ranger always wore a mask and was never supposed to be seen without it.  Also, he could never curse, smoke or drink alcohol. He used perfect grammar, avoided slang and colloquialisms, and refrained from referring to himself as the Lone Ranger. When asked about his identity, he would present a silver bullet as his answer.

The Lone Ranger Is Related To The Green Hornet

The Green Hornet debuted in 1936 on the same Detroit radio station as the Lone Ranger, but that's not the only connection between the two. The Lone Ranger's nephew was named Dan Reid. The Green Hornet's father was also named Dan Reid. So, the Green Hornet was a grandnephew to the Lone Ranger.  A Green Hornet episode in 1947 cemented that connection when Dan Reid made a remark that the family had a vigilante pioneer ancestor that he rode with in Texas. After that remark, the theme song to The Lone Ranger played briefly in the background, confirming for the audience that the Lone Ranger and the Green Hornet shared common ancestry.

The TV Series Was A Big Hit For ABC

Perhaps you’re most familiar with the Lone Ranger from the TV series, which aired from 1949 to 1957. The show starred Clayton Moore as the title character and Jay Silverheels as Tonto. The Lone Ranger was the highest-rated television program on ABC in the early 1950s and its first true "hit". All of the show’s 221 episodes were filmed in black and white except for the fifth and final season.

Clayton Moore Was Sued For Playing The Lone Ranger After The Show Ended.

Clayton Moore was the most famous of the actors who played the Lone Ranger, starring in 169 of the 221 filmed episodes.  After the show ended, Moore continued to appear publicly as the Lone Ranger, doing commercials and TV appearances wearing the signature mask. In 1979, Jack Wrather, then owner of the rights to the character, obtained a restraining order against Moore, enjoining Moore from appearing in public in his mask. Moore later won a countersuit, allowing him to resume his costume.

The Theme Music Is Unforgetable

One of the most memorable things about the Lone Ranger is the theme music. The song is the March of the Swiss Soldiers, which is the finale of the William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini. Because of its use in the TV show, the song is one of the most recognizable pieces in the classical canon. The overture has been used repeatedly in both classical music and media. It has even been used in cartoons featuring Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and The Flintstones.  

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This Day In History (1944)

Find out what happened on January 31, 1944, to postpone the D-Day invasion of Normandy in the Allies’ fight against the Axis powers during World War II.

 

On January 31, 1944, several key military and political leaders agreed to postpone the D-Day invasion due to a shortage of ships. The date for the planned invasion was changed from May 1, 1944 to June 5, 1944. 

When presented with the initial plans for the assault in December of 1943, American General Dwight D. Eisenhower and British General Bernard Montgomery called to increase the size of the secret military operation. Both generals agreed that it should be increased from three to five land divisions and include three divisions of air support. On June 4, General Eisenhower decided to postpone the invasion one more day due to high winds and heavy seas. The decision to postpone was a difficult one, as any delay made it increasingly difficult to keep the operation a secret.

Finally, on the morning of June 6, the long-awaited invasion of France began when 156,000 combined British, Canadian, and American troops stormed the beaches in Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord.  By the time the sun set the Allies had established a foothold, the first step in a march that would lead them all the way to Berlin and the defeat of Nazi Germany.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Hollywood

On February 1, 1887, Hollywood was officially registered with the recorder’s office in Los Angeles County, California. Find out five things you probably didn’t know about Hollywood. Lights, camera, action!

The Sign Was Created As A Real-Estate Advertisement

The iconic Hollywood sign is the epitome of what Hollywood embodies. However, when the letters first went up, they had nothing to do with the entertainment industry. The Hollywood sign actually started out as an advertisement for a new real estate development financed by the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, Harry Chandler.  In order to promote the project, Chandler and his partners put up $21,000 for 45-foot-high white block letters. At night the billboard flashed in four stages: “Holly,” then “Wood,” then “Land” and then the entire word, “Hollywoodland.” Although the sign was originally planned to stand just long enough to interest buyers, it proved too popular to be taken down. In 1949, the letters that spelled “land” were taken down to represent the town rather than just a single neighborhood.

Celebrities Helped Save The Sign In 1978

Some fifty-five years after it was erected, the Hollywood sign was beginning to fall apart due to age and weathering. Since Hollywood is a draw for many fledgling actors and actresses as well as tourists, it’s seems only natural that celebrities would want pitch in to help repair it. In 1978, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner held a gala at his mansion, where he and eight other donors, including rock musician Alice Cooper, pledged nearly $28,000 each to fund a replacement. In 1978, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner held a gala at his mansion, where he and eight other donors, including rock musician Alice Cooper, pledged nearly $28,000 each to fund a replacement.  In all, over $250,000 was raided to help save the iconic sign.

Walk of Fame Stars Aren’t Free

Okay, it’s not possible to just buy your way onto the Walk of Fame – you need to have achieved something in the entertainment industry in order to earn a spot. However, even if you’re a superstar A-List actor or actress, that small space on the Walk doesn’t come cheap. Every star who snags a spot on the Walk of Fame with their name on it must be nominated by a sponsor, and that sponsor has to agree to pay to create, install, and maintain the celebrity’s star. Just how much do they have to pay? A whopping $30,000.

Contracts in Old Hollywood Carried Morality Clauses

Back in the early days in Hollywood, many stars had morality clauses in their contracts. That meant that if the public found out about an affair or immoral scandal, they could be immediately released. They had to also get approval for any relationships from the studio, and the clause even extended to children – studios used to discourage stars from having children, as they thought it was unpopular with the public, so pregnancies were one of the strikes against you according to the morality clause.

The Light On The Capital Records Tower Blinks In Morse Code

The Capitol Records Tower with its blinking light often appears in movies or television shows filmed in Hollywood. An interesting bit of trivia is that the blinking light sends out the word "Hollywood" in Morse Code, and its been doing so since 1956. This bit of fun was the brainchild of Alan Livingston, the company's president at the time, and when it was ready to go live, he asked Leila Morse, inventor Samuel Morse’s granddaughter, to activate the switch.

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Five Things You Didn't Know About Groundhog Day_2

February 2 is Groundhog Day, when people pull a sleepy groundhog out of its burrow to compete with weather forecasters. On this day in 1887, Groundhog Day, was celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, PA. Here are five things you didn't know about this kooky holiday...

It Could Have Been Called Hedgehog Day

Candlemas is a Christian holy day in Germany celebrated on February 2. Legend says that if the sun came out and a hedgehog saw its own shadow, it would deem that it would need to hibernate longer. When German settlers that came to Pennsylvania couldn't find any hedgehogs, they decided that the groundhog was a good substitute. Thus, in America, if the groundhog sees its shadow and goes back in its burrow, winter will continue for six weeks, but if the animal stays out, spring is arriving.

Chances Are Punxsutawney Phil's Prediction Won't Be Accurate

Folks at the National Climatic Data Center were curious to know how accurate Phil is at predicting the weather. So they compared temperatures nationwide from 1988 to 2012 to Phil's predictions. It turns out that Phil has only been correct 39 percent of the time. But no matter; a crowd gathers every year to wait with bated breath for Phil to make his annual appearance.

Punxsutawney Phil Has Challengers For His Title

Although Phil is the most famous winter-predicting groundhog, he is not the only furball that townspeople rely for dodgy predictions. In Atlanta, Georgia, those interested in knowing if spring weather is on its way wait for the prediction of their resident groundhog, General Beau Lee. Raleigh, North Carolina, has its own prognosticator in Sir Walter Wally, and Birmingham, Alabama, relies on their own Birmingham Bill.

People Actually Used to Eat Groundhogs on Groundhog Day

In 1886, visitors to the big event at Gobbler's Knob, PA, celebrated Groundhog Day with a feast. The feast included not only meat dishes featuring the reportedly delicious meat of groundhogs, but also groundhog punch, which was made of vodka, eggs, milk, orange juice, and other ingredients. Although the groundhog feast has long since disappeared, the punch was remixed into Phil's "Elixir of Life." Apparently, just one sip magically gives him seven more years of life.

"Punxsutawney Phil" Is Only Part of the Groundhog’s Name

Punxsutawney Phil, the official groundhog of Groundhog Day, actually has an extremely long and grand name. His full name is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Day The Music Died_2

February 3, 1959 is forever known as 'The Day the Music Died,' when an airplane carrying rock legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson crashed in a field in Fargo, North Dakota.  Here are 5 shocking facts you probably didn’t know about "The Day the Music Died."

The Musicians' Tour Bus Had Mechanical Problems

A combination of mechanical problems with their bus, the terrible weather and a long drive ahead to their next gig in Fargo, Minnesota, convinced singer Buddy Holly that chartering a plane to Fargo was a good idea. The three-seater Beechcraft Bonanza they hired crashed around five miles from Mason City, Iowa, killing the three musicians onboard. Because a flight plan had not been filed for the flight, their bodies weren’t discovered until the following morning. 

Waylon Jennings Was Supposed to Be on The Plane

Waylon Jennings was only 22 years old and an up-and-coming entertainer when he was hired by Buddy Holly to play at the Winter Dance Party Tour at the Surf Ballroom. Waylon Jennings had originally intended to be on the plane that evening, but he gave up his seat to J.P. Richardson who was suffering from the flu. Holly and Jennings joked around prior to take-off, with Jennings jesting that he hoped the plane crashed. That remark would haunt Jennings for the rest of his life, causing him to feel responsible for the crash.

A Coin Toss Decided What Other Musician Died That Day

Ritchie Valens, popular for his hit song “La Bamba” asked band member Tommy Allsup for his seat on the plane. The two musicians agreed to toss a coin to decide. Bob Hale, a disc jockey with Mason City's KRIB-AM, was working the concert that night and flipped the coin in the ballroom's side-stage room shortly before the musicians departed for the airport. Valens won the coin toss for the seat on the flight and Tommy Allsup never got on the plane. Years later, Allsup opened a saloon and called the bar the Head's Up Saloon. This would remind him in the future how a simple coin toss had saved his life. 

It Inspired Some Popular Movies

The crash that changed rock 'n' roll forever became cemented in popular culture through music and film, notably in the 1978 Academy Award-winning biopic “The Buddy Holly Story,” starring Gary Busey as Holly, and the 1987 Richie Valens film, “La Bamba,” starring Lou Diamond Phillips as the 17-year-old star. In 2017, La Bamba was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and recommended for preservation.

Singer Don McLean Recorded a Song That Mentions The Accident

The death of the three music legends was immortalized in the song “American Pie” by Don McLean. The song was released in 1971. The lyrics, “February made me shiver” and “The day the music died” are believed to refer to Buddy Holly, In the third verse, he sings, “I can't remember if I cried, when I read about his widowed bride.” The bride was María Elena Holly (née Santiago), who Buddy wed just two weeks after meeting her. She was pregnant when he died, but suffered a miscarriage the next day.

[phkrause]

5 Shocking Facts About Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs

On February 4, 1938, Walt Disney released his first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. To honor the release, here are five things you didn't know about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs...

Some Original Dwarf Names Were Super Weird

We fondly know that seven dwarfs as Grumpy, Doc, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey, Sneezy, and Bashful. But you may be taken aback by some of the original suggestions for their names. They included, Biggy-Wiggy, Dirty, Hoppy-Jumpy, Shifty, and Nifty.  If those suggestions weren’t crazy enough, others even included Awful (a dwarf who’s drinks, and steals), Lazy, Flabby, Thrifty, Stubby, and Wheezy.  And Dopey was almost named Deafy! Animators were originally opposed to the name Dopey, but Walt Disney was able to convince his team on the name after he lied to them and told them the word “dopey” was coined by William Shakespeare.

Children Were Terrified by the Movie

It may not seem like it now, but Snow White pushed the envelope for its time. Upon the film’s release, Snow White sparked a nationwide controversy about whether or not the enchanted forest and the wicked witch were too scary for young children. In fact, the theater managers at the Radio City Music Hall (where Snow White premiered) were nervous that the movie would be too scary for kids. These fears proved to be well founded. After the the movie’s premiere, the velvet upholstery on the seats had to be replaced. Kids were so frightened by the scene where Snow White gets lost in the forest, that they wet their pants.

Disney Wouldn’t Allow Snow White to Ever Sing Again

Disney wanted to find the perfect voice for Snow White. He even turned down actress Deanna Durbin because he thought her voice, at age 14, was too mature. He finally chose Adriana Caselotti, a classically trained singer. However, it would be the only major role she ever performed. Because Walt Disney wanted to preserve the sound of Snow White’s voice, Caselotti’s contract prevented her from ever singing again.

“Dwarfs” In The Movie Title Is Not Misspelled

Spelling and grammar perfectionists likely grumble over Disney's spelling of “dwarfs” (as opposed to “dwarves”). But at the time the movie was made, “dwarfs” was the accepted plural spelling of “dwarf.” It was author J.R.R. Tolkien, famous for his novels The Hobbit and the three-volume The Lord of the Rings, who popularized the spelling “dwarves" that we know and use today. 

The Film Was Expected To Be A Flop

Disney put everything he owned on the line to produce Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, securing multiple loans and taking out a mortgage on his home. Insiders dubed his project "Disney's Folly," and even Lillian, Disney’s wife, believed the movie would bomb. Instead, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs brought in so much money that Disney was able to buy fifty-one acres in Burbank, CA, which he used to build studio facilities that are still in use today.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Phoenix, Arizona_2

On February 5, 1881, Phoenix, Arizona, was incorporated, following the town’s original settlement in 1867. Phoenix is both the capital of Arizona and its most populated city, with around 1.6 million inhabitants. Here are 5 surprising facts about the city known as the “Valley of the Sun.”

Arizona Should Be Nicknamed The “Sunshine State”

Florida is called the “Sunshine State” but it doesn’t come close to enjoying the amount of sunshine that Arizona does. The sun is shining in Yuma around 90 percent of the time, and Tucson and Phoenix are sunny about 85 percent of the time. None of the cities in Florida are even in the top 10 percent of the sunniest cities in the USA.

Your Right To Remain Silent Began There

The “right to remain silent” is familiar to anyone who is a fan of TV crime shows. It stems from the 1966 ruling of the Miranda vs. Arizona case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Miranda warning prevents those who are placed under arrest from self-incrimination and informs them of their right to have an attorney.

The First Fast-Food Drive-Thru Was Constructed in Arizona

Soldiers stationed at Fort Huachuca in the early 1970s enjoyed heading to McDonald’s for their lunch, but they faced one problem: they were not allowed to get out of their vehicles if they were wearing fatigues. The nearby Sierra Vista McDonald’s on Fry Boulevard solved the problem in 1975 when they created the first drive-thru service in the nation. Billions have been lovin’ it ever since. 

Arizona is the Home of the London Bridge (Well, One of Them)

In 1968, the famed London Bridge was dismantled and shipped to Arizona, where it was reassembled in Lake Havasu City. The resort town’s founder, Robert McCullough, thought it would make a great centerpiece for his new desert getaway, and made a $2.5 million winning bid. It wasn’t the original medieval bridge, but a later version constructed in 1831. 

Daylight Saving Time Isn’t Observed in Arizona

In 1966, when the Uniform Time Act was passed, Arizona residents dutifully changed their clocks the same as everyone else in the continental United States. However, the people living in the state hated it and pushed their legislators to pass a bill exempting them from it. Within Arizona, only the Navajo Nation located in northeast Arizona still observes Daylight Saving Time. The only other state in the nation that doesn't observe Daylight Saving is Hawaii.

[Theophilus]

On 2/4/2021 at 1:07 PM, phkrause said:

5 Shocking Facts About Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs

On February 4, 1938, Walt Disney released his first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. To honor the release, here are five things you didn't know about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs...

Some Original Dwarf Names Were Super Weird

We fondly know that seven dwarfs as Grumpy, Doc, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey, Sneezy, and Bashful. But you may be taken aback by some of the original suggestions for their names. They included, Biggy-Wiggy, Dirty, Hoppy-Jumpy, Shifty, and Nifty.  If those suggestions weren’t crazy enough, others even included Awful (a dwarf who’s drinks, and steals), Lazy, Flabby, Thrifty, Stubby, and Wheezy.  And Dopey was almost named Deafy! Animators were originally opposed to the name Dopey, but Walt Disney was able to convince his team on the name after he lied to them and told them the word “dopey” was coined by William Shakespeare.

Children Were Terrified by the Movie

It may not seem like it now, but Snow White pushed the envelope for its time. Upon the film’s release, Snow White sparked a nationwide controversy about whether or not the enchanted forest and the wicked witch were too scary for young children. In fact, the theater managers at the Radio City Music Hall (where Snow White premiered) were nervous that the movie would be too scary for kids. These fears proved to be well founded. After the the movie’s premiere, the velvet upholstery on the seats had to be replaced. Kids were so frightened by the scene where Snow White gets lost in the forest, that they wet their pants.

Disney Wouldn’t Allow Snow White to Ever Sing Again

Disney wanted to find the perfect voice for Snow White. He even turned down actress Deanna Durbin because he thought her voice, at age 14, was too mature. He finally chose Adriana Caselotti, a classically trained singer. However, it would be the only major role she ever performed. Because Walt Disney wanted to preserve the sound of Snow White’s voice, Caselotti’s contract prevented her from ever singing again.

“Dwarfs” In The Movie Title Is Not Misspelled

Spelling and grammar perfectionists likely grumble over Disney's spelling of “dwarfs” (as opposed to “dwarves”). But at the time the movie was made, “dwarfs” was the accepted plural spelling of “dwarf.” It was author J.R.R. Tolkien, famous for his novels The Hobbit and the three-volume The Lord of the Rings, who popularized the spelling “dwarves" that we know and use today. 

The Film Was Expected To Be A Flop

Disney put everything he owned on the line to produce Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, securing multiple loans and taking out a mortgage on his home. Insiders dubed his project "Disney's Folly," and even Lillian, Disney’s wife, believed the movie would bomb. Instead, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs brought in so much money that Disney was able to buy fifty-one acres in Burbank, CA, which he used to build studio facilities that are still in use today.

I love Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My favorite is Dopey and I must have 30 Dopey dolls, and several Dopey t shirts.

[B/W Photodude]

1 hour ago, Theophilus said:

I love Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. My favorite is Dopey and I must have 30 Dopey dolls, and several Dopey t shirts.

I have more than 20 Shirley Temple movies on DVD. Also, a complete collection of the 3 Stooges. Also have a ton of Charlie Chaplain movies.

I like following father-daughter TikTokers. Two of my favorites are:

The Mccarthys (It's just a joke, Karen!):

https://www.tiktok.com/@themccartys/video/6914430702016679174

https://www.tiktok.com/@themccartys/video/6914696424089226502

"cargo_shorts_dad"posts vids done with his deaf daughter. It is getting easier to understand her!

https://www.tiktok.com/@cargo_shorts_dad/video/6919655974252891397

https://www.tiktok.com/@cargo_shorts_dad/video/6919532684402298118

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Queen Elizabeth_5

On February 6, 1952, after a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king’s two daughters was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death; she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about the longest-reigning British monarch....

She Sent an Email Before the Internet Existed

Long before the modern internet came about, the Queen sent her first email. In fact, she was among the first heads of state to do so. On March 26, 1976, the Queen sent an email from the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) in England via the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), the precursor to the Internet. Her participation was part of a networking technology demonstration.

She Has Two Birthday Celebrations Every Year

While most people celebrate their birthdays just once a year, the Queen has two celebrations: one on April 21 (her actual birthday), and another in June. While that may seem odd, and perhaps even a little narcissistic, it's not a royal whim. Rather, the holding two annual birthday celebrations for the monarch is a tradition that dates back to 1784.  The reason? To accommodate London's unpredictable weather. Inclement conditions could easily impact the military celebratory parade, an event for the public, so the royals celebrate in June when the weather is more likely to be pleasant.  

Passport and Driver's License Requirements Don't Apply to Her

Anyone who wishes to lawfully drive a vehicle on the road needs a valid driver's license, and crossing international borders requires a valid passport. But such documentation is not required for the Queen. She's free to drive without a license and she doesn't need a passport to visit other countries, partly because both documents are issued in her name. Over the years, in her duties as Queen, she's visited more than 100 nations on over 250 international trips, and has done all without the need to flash her passport at customs.

She Served in The Military

While we may be used to seeing the royal princes partaking in military training, some may be intrigued to know that the Queen herself was also a member of the military. In fact, she served in World War II.
Elizabeth joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945 where she worked as a truck driver and mechanic. She is the only female royal family member to have served in the military, and the only current living head of state to have served in the Second World War.

She Has Reigned As The Head Of The Monarchy Longer Than Anyone Else in British History

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in Britain's history, a feat that is quite remarkable. On February 6, 2017, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee, which marked her 65th year on the throne. (Only Queen Victoria came close, reigning for 64 years.) The Commonwealth celebrated by issuing new coins and a new stamp, and many gun salutes helped to mark the momentous occasion. 

[phkrause]

5 Shocking Facts You Probably Didn't Know About AOL_2

On February 7, 2011, AOL Inc. announced its purchase of The Huffington Post website to the tune of $315 million. Here are five shocking facts about the web portal and online service provider that you probably didn't know...

AOL Was Originally Named "Quantum Computer Services"

AOL was founded in 1985 as Quantum Computer Services, an online services company by Jim Kimsey from the remnants of Control Video Corporation. In 1991, Quantum was renamed America Online. AOL became one of the early pioneers of the Internet, providing dial-up service to over 30 million members worldwide. In 2001, at the height of its popularity, it purchased the media conglomerate Time Warner in the largest merger in U.S. history. AOL rapidly declined thereafter, partly due to the decline of dial-up and rise of broadband.

The Man Who Recorded The Iconic "You've Got Mail" Notification Was Paid Only $200.

For years, AOL users would look forward to the alert, "You've Got Mail!" after opening their computers. This famous phrase would signify that messages were waiting to be read. Elwood Edwards is the man behind the "You've Got Mail!" voice notification. What's interesting is that not only did Edwards' wife volunteer his voice to then-CEO Steve Case, but Edwards recorded the voice snippet on a cassette deck. The folks at AOL then digitized it to add to their software. Edwards was paid only $200, and never received any royalties from his one-time gig.

The Voice Behind AOL's Slogan is Now an Uber Driver

Elwood may have been paid $200 for recording a short phrase that only took less than a couple of seconds to utter, but that didn't pay the bills. And the fact that he didn't see any royalties roll in over the years didn't help. The voice behind AOL's famous "You've Got Mail," now drives for the rideshare company Uber in Ohio.

At One Point AOL Made Half of All CDs Produced

During the 1990s, it seemed like a signup CD for AOL came in the mail every other day. At one point, 50 percent of the CDs produced worldwide had an AOL logo on it.  These CDs were created to give people a way to connect to the internet and  contained a free trial for AOL. The CDs showed up frequently in the mail, in magazine inserts, and attached to cereal boxes. The company paid Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble, and other chains to help distribute their CDs. They were at one point, even included with frozen Omaha steaks, which meant that the CDs had to be tested for resilience after freezing and thawing. 

Millions of People Still Use AOL's Dial-up Service

You'd probably guess that most AOL users jumped ship in favor of broadband internet connections. But believe it or not, AOL still had 2 million dial-up users, and millions more still have aol.com email addresses
While the aol email address is seen as a sign of refusing to keep up with the times, the reality is that, after 20 or 30 years with the same email address, switching to a new one can be a major hassle. 

[Theophilus]

On 2/5/2021 at 8:35 PM, B/W Photodude said:

I have more than 20 Shirley Temple movies on DVD. Also, a complete collection of the 3 Stooges. Also have a ton of Charlie Chaplain movies.

I like following father-daughter TikTokers. Two of my favorites are:

The Mccarthys (It's just a joke, Karen!):

https://www.tiktok.com/@themccartys/video/6914430702016679174

https://www.tiktok.com/@themccartys/video/6914696424089226502

"cargo_shorts_dad"posts vids done with his deaf daughter. It is getting easier to understand her!

https://www.tiktok.com/@cargo_shorts_dad/video/6919655974252891397

https://www.tiktok.com/@cargo_shorts_dad/video/6919532684402298118

My brother and I would watch Shirley Temple movies all the time when we were kids. She was such a cutie!!!!!!  And so talented--Goodness! 

That reminded me of all of the sweet  little kid things that used to be on. I remember there was a cute little girl who would occasionally come on the Danny Kaye show. And Art Linkletter's House Party was funny too.

(I always though Stephen Bohr looked kinda like Linkletter ?  SHHH )

Anyway I have had a Shirley Temple earworm since you posted. "You can call me up, and I'll come down when I grow up."

 

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About The Boy Scouts_2

February 8th is National Boy Scouts Day, which celebrates the official birth of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Here are 5 things you probably did know about the Boy Scouts.

A British Baron Founded the Boy Scouts

In 1899, after being surrounded and outnumbered by Dutch troops during the Boer War, Colonel Baden-Powell used a cadet corps, comprised of boys ages twelve to fifteen, to act as guards and scouts and to relay messages. The cadets wore khaki uniforms and hats with wide brims—a recognizable look to those in Scouting. Baden-Powell went on to publish a book in 1908 called Scouting for Boys, which gave birth to the Boy Scouts in the United Kingdom. It's popularity soon spread to the United States.

Names and Terms Used in the Cub Scouts Come from a Popular Novel

Baden-Powell wanted to create a Scout section for younger boys (aged eight to ten). He announced the creation of the Cub Scouts in 1914. Writer Rudyard Kipling happened to be a friend of Baden-Powell's and agreed that the new Cub Scouts could use names and terms from his novel The Jungle Book. This is why Cub Scouts meet in “packs" or “dens,” hold "council rock" meetings, and why some troops call their den leader “Akela”—it's the name of the head wolf in the story.

Dr. Seuss Was a Top Seller of Liberty Bonds as a Child

During WWI, the Boy Scouts helped to sell Liberty Bonds (also known as Liberty Loans). Boy Scout Theodor Seuss Geisel, who went on to become the famous children's author Dr. Seuss, became one of the top ten sellers in his area after his grandfather purchased $1,000 in bonds. In 1918, ten boys were invited to an award ceremony where they would be presented with medals by President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was only given nine medals, so when Geisel, the last to appear on the stage, walked up Roosevelt reportedly demanded to know why he was there. The experience upset Seuss so much that public appearances always made him feel fearful and anxious.

A Number of U.S. Presidents Were Scouts

Many U.S. Presidents were Cub or Boy Scouts when they were young. The list includes Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and John F. Kennedy. President Jimmy Carter had served as a scoutmaster and troop committee chairman. Gerald Ford was the only one who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

11 Former Boy Scouts Have Walked on the Moon

Of the twelve astronauts who have walked on the moon, only James Irwin had not been in the Boy Scouts at one time. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, radioed the National Boy Scouts Jamboree during his flight to the moon in 1969. In his message, he greeted his fellow Scouts and told them that Apollo 11 wanted to send them their best wishes.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Pizza_2

February 9 is National Pizza Day. Whether it is thin crust, Chicago-style, deep dish or anything in between, pizza is an American favorite. Here are 5 facts you probably didn't know about one of America’s favorite foods...

The Outer Edge of a Pizza Has a Name

The outer edge of a pizza is called a cornicione (cor-nee-cho-nay), which means "molding" or "cornice." Aficionados can use this to impress their friends with their pizza knowledge. The crust of a pizza is actually the name for the base where the toppings are laid.

You Can’t Buy Pizza Slices When You Visit Italy

Those in the know know that when visiting Italy, you won't find pizza pie slices with your favorite toppings at the ready because pizza just isn't sold that way. Italians either serve whole pizzas or bake them in big trays and cut them into rectangles or squares. Early pizza sellers in New York quickly learned that not everyone had the money to buy a whole pie, so they started to cut those pizzas into wedges, which became the New York-style slice.

Pizza Hut Concocted A Pizza-Scented Perfume

Love the smell of pizza? You may have been among the target audience for Pizza Hut Canada’s limited-edition perfume that they released in 2012. According to the press release, the perfume smelled like “freshly baked, hand-tossed dough.” 

The World’s Biggest Pizza Weighed More Than 13 Tons

According to the “Guinness Book of World Records,” the biggest round pizza was made on December 8, 1990, in Norwood, South Africa. This gastronomical delight was more than 122 feet in diameter and weighed a whopping 26,883 pounds. It was topped with 1,763 pounds of mushrooms and 3,960 pounds of cheese, not counting the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. 

A Canadian Invented the Hawaiian Pizza

It might be true that there are two types of pizza eaters in the world: those who like pineapple on their pies and those who don’t. On a whim, Sam Panopoulos, a Canadian who immigrated to his new homeland from Greece when he was just 20, tossed pineapple and ham on a pizza to see how it would taste. That was in 1962, and ever since, the unique combo has won over the taste buds of many a pizza lover. 

[phkrause]

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Shirley Temple_3

On February 10, 2014, Shirley Temple died at age 85. She had a long career as one of the most popular movie stars during the Great Depression and as a diplomat in later life. Here are 5  things you probably didn’t know about Shirley Temple...

Temple’s Perfect Curls Took a Lot of Work

Poor little Shirley Temple had to sleep with her hair set in 56 carefully placed curlers every night to achieve her look for the cameras. She reportedly didn't love the hairstyle, but understand the value of her trademark look. In 1938 Temple visited the Roosevelts at their Hyde Park estate in New York. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt asked the Hollywood icon to go swimming with her, but Temple declined "because of my hair."

She Was the Youngest Performer to Ever Win an Oscar

The Juvenile Oscar was established in 1935 to recognize performers under the age of 18 who deserved to win but would have trouble competing with their adult counterparts. Shirley Temple won the first of these awards in 1935 at age six for her role in Bright Eyes. The trophy itself was a miniature of the Oscar at seven inches tall, and was discontinued in 1961 after it was presented to Hayley Mills for her starring role in Pollyanna. 

Temple Was Considered for The Wizard of Oz

In 1938, the producer of The Wizard of Oz, Arthur Freed held a meeting with Shirly Temple to talk about her headlining the movie. Unfortunately, the blockbuster movie was being made by MGM, and her employer 20th Century Fox refused to allow her to make the movie. In a memoir penned by Temple, she claimed that Freed exposed himself during their meeting, which further dissuaded her from taking the part. In any event, it was obvious that Judy Garland had a much more impressive singing voice, and it was she who was eventually cast to play Dorothy in the movie. 

She Apparently Hated Her Drink

A Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic mixed drink traditionally made with ginger ale and a splash of grenadine, garnished with a maraschino cherry. Temple herself was not a fan of the drink, as she told NPR in a 1986 interview: "The saccharine sweet, icky drink? Yes, well... those were created in the probably middle 1930s by the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood and I had nothing to do with it. But, all over the world, I am served that. People think it's funny. I hate them. Too sweet!" In 1988 Temple brought a lawsuit to prevent a bottled soda version using her name from happening.ad

She Became a Diplomat Later in Life

Temple was appointed as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations by President Richard Nixon and then served under President Gerald Ford as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana. Later, she worked under President Reagan in the State Department, and was appointed the U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia by President George H.W. Bush. Her one bid for an elected office was unsuccessful: Temple, a Republican, lost the race for the California seat in House of Representatives to Congressman Pete McCloskey in 1967 by around 19,000 votes.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Nelson Mandela_2

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement to end South African apartheid, was released from prison after 27 year.  Here are 5 lesser-known facts you didn’t know about the man who became the first black president of South Africa...

Mandela Never Forgot His Prison Number

The number assigned to Mandela while he was in prison was 46664. This designation was because the year was 1964 and he was the 466th person to be imprisoned that year. Although Mandela spent many years in prison, he embraced his prisoner number of 46664 and made it the name of his awareness program for HIV/AIDS.

His Election as the President of South Africa Was Historic

In 1994, Mandela became the first president of South Africa to be elected democratically, the first Black president of South Africa, and the oldest person to hold the office. His inauguration was historic because it united the highest number of heads of state since the 1963 funeral of John F. Kennedy.

Going by the Name "Nelson" Was Easier Than Saying His Actual Name

Nelson Mandela’s first name was actually Rolihlahla, which means "pulling the branch of a tree." The school teachers at the Methodist school he went to had problems pronouncing his name. It was one of these teachers who first called him Nelson, for Horatio Nelson, the British admiral. 

Mandela’s Name and Work Lives On

Nelson Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, along with over 695 other awards. More than twenty-five universities, schools, and other educational institutions are named for him, and numerous foundations and scholarships bear his name. To date, almost 100 statues, sculptures, and other works of art have either been dedicated to him or made of him.

He Was on The US Terrorist Watch List

Mandela was once considered a criminal in his own country and a communist in the eyes of the United States, where he was placed on a terrorism watch list by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.  In 2008, after Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize, President George W. Bush removed Mandela and the African National Congress from the terrorist list.

[phkrause]

5 Things You Didn't Know About Charles Darwin

On February 12, 1809, naturalist Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. Darwin's scientific theory of evolution by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. Here are five things you didn’t know about Charles Darwin.

Darwin Shared a Birthday With Abraham Lincoln

Although Lincoln and Darwin were both born on February 12, 1809, their lives were very different. While America’s 16th president was born in a log cabin in the Kentucky wilderness, Darwin was born in a grand Georgian house in Shrewsbury, England, to a wealthy family. While one went on to become president of the United States, the other became the scientist who developed the famous theory about evolution.

Darwin Waited Over 20 Years To Publish His Work

Darwin collected his research during his voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle over a five-year period. Because his theory on natural selection and evolution would have been considered radical, he waited until 1858 to present it, which was about the same time as Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist, who had come up with a similar idea. Darwin’s famous work, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, was published the following year.

He Didn’t Coin The Phrase “Survival Of The Fittest.”

Although the phrase “survival of the fittest”  is associated with Darwin’s theory of natural selection, it was  actually first used by English philosopher Herbert Spencer in his 1864 “Principles of Biology” to connect his economic and sociological theories with Darwin’s biological concepts. Darwin first adopted the phrase in his fifth edition of “The Origin of Species,” published in 1869, by writing of natural selection that “the expression often used by Mr. Herbert Spencer of the survival of the fittest is more accurate, and is sometimes equally convenient.”

Darwin’s Likeness Appeared on British Currency

For eighteen years, a portrait of a bearded Charles Darwin appeared on the back of the British 10-pound note along with an image of HMS Beagle, a magnifying lens and flora and fauna seen on his travels. The Bank of England issued the £10 note from 2000 to 2018. 

Several Mountains Are Named After Him

In 1834, for Darwin's twenty-fifth birthday, Captain FitzRoy named the tallest peak in Tierra del Fuego, Mount Darwin. A year earlier, Darwin and his shipmates were on a small island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, when a huge mass of ice fell from the face of a glacier and plunged into the ocean, causing a huge wave. Darwin ran to the shore and saved the ship's boats from being swept away. For saving everyone from being marooned, FitzRoy named the area Darwin Sound. And as if one mountain isn't enough, Darwin had three more named after him: There are three additional Darwin Mountains located in California, Tasmania, and Antarctica.