Trivia

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5 Fascinating Facts About The Brooklyn Bridge_3

Today marks the anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge which opened to traffic on May 24, 1883.  To celebrate, the Trivia Today team put together these five fascinating facts you may not know about the Brooklyn Bridge...

Bribery Got the Construction of The Brooklyn Bridge Started

Like any monumental city project, construction of the Brooklyn Bridge required the support of local politicians. In this particular case, one man, William M. Tweed, more commonly known as “Boss” Tweed, was the corrupt politician with the clout to make it happen. Much as he had done with other city projects, Tweed latched onto the bridge project, buying favors (at a cost of $65,000) in hopes of holding stock in the bridge and profiting by skimming from construction contracts. His grand scheme failed, as he was jailed before he could see it to fruition, but the backing for the bridge he bought from other politicians did help kick the project off the ground.

The Name of the Bridge Changed Over The Years

It seems almost incomprehensible that the Brooklyn Bridge would be called anything but the Brooklyn Bridge. However, before the construction of the bridge began some of the names thrown around were “Great East River Bridge” and “”Great East River Suspension Bridge.” Even at the time of the 1883 dedication it was referred to by a more official-sounding name, “New York And Brooklyn Bridge.”  Brooklyn civic pride led to the name officially changing to the “Brooklyn Bridge” in 1915.

A Stampede Occurred On The Bridge Shortly After it Opened

The Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public on May 24, 1883 and everything ran smoothly for the first five days of operation. However, on May 30, disaster stuck when either a woman tripping or a rumor of a pending collapse sparked a panic among the crowd of pedestrians who were crossing the bridge. A frantic race to get off the bridge caused a massive stampede which resulted in the death of 12 people and 36 serious injuries.

21 Elephants Walked Across The Bridge in 1884

How do you convince New Yorkers that its newest bridge is safe? Elephants. The city called upon the legendary showman P.T. Barnum to prove the safety of the Brooklyn Bridge. A parade of large animals did the trick.  P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants and 17 camels across the the Brooklyn Bridge in May of 1884 to show just how sturdy the span was.

There's a Bunker And Wine Cellar Built Into The Bridge

Those looming towers aren't just for show—inside, there are several secrets from the bridge's 138-year-long history. Up until World War I, the city rented out space within one of the towers for wine storage. And in 2006, maintenance workers discovered a Cold War-era fallout shelter still fully-stocked with supplies. Workers found large canisters of water, boxes of crackers, medical supplies, and paper blankets all intended to protect a select few in the event of a nuclear attack.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Oprah Winfrey Show_3

On May 25, 2011, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" aired its final broadcast, ending a 25-year run that won multiple awards over the years. Here are five things you probably didn’t know about “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Oprah Was Already An Oscar Nominee Before Her Show Debuted

Though The Oprah Winfrey Show did not premiere on a national level until the fall of 1986, audiences were already familiar with the would-be daytime queen, albeit as an actress — and an Oscar-nominated one at that. Oprah was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress six months before she made her television debut for her performance in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple (she lost to Anjelica Huston for Prizzi's Honor).

Don Johnson Turned Down The Chance To Be Oprah's First Guest

For her very first national show, Winfrey wanted to go big—and few stars were bigger at the time than Don Johnson of Miami Vice. But Johnson was not interested, even after Winfrey sent him a very stylish (and very expensive) pair of rhinestone sunglasses in an attempt to sway him. The experience convinced Winfrey that her show should focus on everyday people, not celebrities“ So what we came up with was a show called ‘How to Marry the Man of Your Choice,'" Winfrey explained. Johnson reappeared in 2010, on the show's final season's premiere episode, to return Winfrey's rhinestone glasses. "I know it has taken me about 24 years to get these back to you,” Johnson explained. “For clarity, I was shooting 18 to 20 hours a day at the time and it's not that I didn't wanna come, they [producers] wouldn't let me come. But I understand things have been going OK for you.”

Elizabeth Taylor Was Her Worst Interview

Winfrey has been candid about both her best and worst moments. When asked about her worst interview, Winfrey recalls an appearance on the show's second season with Elizabeth Taylor." It's still painful to watch," Winfrey admitted, "For many reasons—including my bad hair." Taylor informed Winfrey shortly before the interview that she did not wish to discuss any of her romantic relationships. "That's kind of hard to do when you're Elizabeth Taylor and you've been married seven times," Oprah explained. Taylor later apologized to Winfrey for the incident and admitted that she was suffering from severe hip and back pain during the interview.

Her Interview With Michael Jackson Is The Most Watched Interview In Television History

On February 10, 1993, Oprah sat down with Michael Jackson for what would be the most-watched interview in television history. The unprecedented live event drew a worldwide audience of 90 million people. Barbara Walters' interview with Monica Lewinsky came in second with 74 million viewers, while The Richard Nixon interview by David Frost came in a distant third with 45 million viewers.

The Big Car Giveaway Show Cost Millions

Audience members and home viewers were astonished in 2004 when Winfrey gave all 276 members of her studio audience a brand-new Pontiac G6. Winfrey wasn’t lying when she famously screamed "You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!"  The total cost of those cars? Just under $8 million. Those audience members weren’t as happy when they found out they had to pay taxes on it. Although Winfrey paid the registration and sales tax, gift tax still had to be paid to the IRS by the new owners. For members in the studio audience that day, the tax bill for that new car was as much as $6,000.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Atlantic City

On May 26, 1978, thousands of people flocked to the Boardwalk at North Carolina Avenue eagerly awaiting the opening of Atlantic City’s first legal casino. Here are 5 interesting facts you probably didn't know about Atlantic City.

Resorts International Was the First Casino Built in Atlantic City

In an effort to revive a city in decline, the first legal casino built outside of Nevada, Resorts International opened just off the boardwalk. The site of the casino was initially built where two Quaker boarding houses stood.  The new casino opened its doors at 10:00AM on May 26, 1978. Initial gaming laws in New Jersey only allowed casinos to operate for 18 hours during the week and 20 hours during the weekends.  When the casino opened, people stood in long lines to play the 893 slot machines and 84 game tables.

There Are 11,000 Pounds Of Salt Water Taffy Produced There Every Day

No one’s quite sure who invented salt water taffy, but we know who made it famous. Joseph Fralinger, an Atlantic City native, took over a taffy stand on the boardwalk in 1884. By 1899, Fralinger’s taffy was a household name across America. Today, Fralinger’s, still located on the boardwalk, pulls and packages 11,000 lbs of the sticky treat every single day.

The Miss America Pageant Began There

Atlantic City was home to the first Miss America Pageant in 1920 in an effort to attract tourists to the boardwalk area. The event was scheduled to take place the weekend following Labor Day, to encourage summer visitors to stay in Atlantic City. There weren't many rules to the competition (yet) — in fact, winners were partially judged on applause. 16-year-old winner Margaret Gorman, from Washington, D.C.,  was crowned "Golden Mermaid" and took home a trophy along with $100. By 1923, over 300,000 people were flocking to the boardwalk to see the pageant.

Atlantic City Boasts America's First Boardwalk

A railroad conductor and a hotel owner put their heads together to come up with a solution that would keep beach sand out of the hotels. They petitioned the city council for $5,000 – half the city’s tax revenue – to build an 8-foot-wide, one-mile-long boardwalk from the beach to the town. Construction on Atlantic City’s world-famous Boardwalk began in 1870 and has since become an American icon. The boardwalk opened on June 26, 1870, and became the first boardwalk in the United States. It was originally built to be removable and was taken apart at the end of each season.

The City Inspired A Classic Board Game

Based on the real-life streets of Atlantic City, Monopoly is one of the world's most popular board games. Atlantic City became the inspiration for game inventor Charles Darrow’s “Monopoly” game because of his fondness for childhood vacations spent in the beachside city. Although the board game was based on the real-life streets of Atlantic City, not all the streets still carry their Monopoly names, though. For instance, Illinois Avenue has been renamed for Martin Luther King, Jr.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Christopher Reeve's Superman_5

On May 27, 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian event in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Here are five things you probably didn't know about this real-life Superman...

He Beat Out Muhammad Ali And Elton John For The Role Of Superman

When casting began for the role of Superman, over 200 actors competed for the part. Among them were some true Hollywood A-listers. Producers auditioned muscle-bound talents like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallon. They also auditioned actors such as  Al Pacino, Robert Redford. Charles Bronson, Dustin Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Nick Nolte, and Steve McQueen. Even pop star Elton John auditioned for the chance to be Superman. Even boxer Muhammad Ali was considered at one point. Despite all these stars vying for attention, Christopher Reeve caught the eye of the producers despite only having three brief TV roles. 

Christopher Reeve Trained Under Darth Vader

After landing the role of Superman, a skinny Christopher Reeve was told that needed to wear an artificial muscle suit to become a match for Superman's physique. He refused, preferring to undergo a strict workout regimen to buff-up for the part. Enter David Prowse, the British actor who provided the body of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. Prowse was hired to train Reeve and instituted a weight-training program to bulk Reeve up for the role. Prowse's teachings were a success, and after an intense six-week program, Reeve went from 170 pounds to 212 pounds. Reeve continued gaining muscle mass while filming, to such a degree that some scenes had to be re-shot because his body no longer matched the original footage. 

Reeve’s Pay for the Movie Was Ridiculously Small

Because he was still relatively unknown, Reeve only earned $250,000 for Superman, and his second film Superman II. This was peanuts compared to some of his co-stars. Gene Hackman was paid $2 million for his role as Lex Luthor and Marlon Brando received an astounding $3.7 million to play Jor-El. This made Brando the highest-paid movie star ever, at the time. The Superman actor didn't publicly complain about this, instead saying that  "Superman brought him many opportunities".Brando, by comparison, sued the producers for not paying him enough and eventually took $14 million from them for appearing in just ten minutes of the movie.

Reeve Also Played Two Voice Parts In The First Film

In addition to portraying both Superman, Reeve also provided two voice performances for the film. He was asked to lend his voice to the Metropolis air traffic controller character. This character is never seen on screen, but he is heard on the radio during both the Helicopter crash scene and the Air Force One sequence. Reeve's other voice performance was a larger one. He recorded all of Jeff East's lines as the young Clark Kent, which were dubbed over East's original performance during the editing process. "I was not happy about it because the producers never told me what they had in mind," East said. He added: "It was done without my permission but it turned out to be okay. Chris did a good job but it caused tension between us. We resolved our issues with each other years later." 

He Was A Real-Life Superman

On May 27, 1995, Reeve broke his neck when he was thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in Culpepper, Virginia. The injury paralyzed him from the shoulders down, and he used a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life. Following the accident, Reeve lobbied on behalf of people with spinal cord injuries and for human embryonic stem cell research, founding the Christopher Reeve Foundation and co-founding the Reeve-Irvine Research Center. Reeve died on October 10, 2004, 15 days after his 52nd birthday. A real-life super man indeed. 

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Yankee Stadium

May 28, 1946, was the first night game played at Yankee Stadium. Although Yankee Stadium is easily one of the most well-known sports fields in the world, there are plenty of things about the park that you may not be aware of. Here are 5 interesting facts about Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium Is The House That Ruth Built... And Edison

Yankee Stadium is fondly nicknamed The House That Ruth Built, but perhaps another prominent figure should be given some credit for the structure, too. Thomas Edison — the infamous American inventor who invented the incandescent light bulb — started a cement company in 1899 named Edison Portland Cement Co. The extra-strong cement his company developed was used in the construction of the stadium's original walls. The concrete was so hard that New York City chose to leave it alone throughout the stadium's renovation in the early 1970s.

Frank Sinatra Can Be Heard Following Each Ballgame

The tune "New York, New York'' can be heard playing over loudspeakers throughout the stadium at the end of each game. But it wasn't always Frank Sinatra's version that would play. Tradition has it that Sinatra's version was played if the Yankees won, while the Liza Minnelli version was played if they lost. Apparently, Liza wasn't too keen on this practice. In 2001, she insisted they play her version after a Yankee win; otherwise, she would not allow them to play her tune at all. It seems that the Yankees obliged: now, regardless of a win or loss, Sinatra's version is played after every game.

Negro League Teams Could Not Use Yankees Locker Room

Times have changed a lot since the 1930s. Back then African Americans and white Americans were not allowed to play together in the same league. African Americans participated in the Negro Leagues. The old Yankee Stadium was home to many of these ball games. Unfortunately, when teams played at the stadium, they were not allowed to use the Yankees locker room. Instead, they were forced to use the visiting team's locker room to get ready for games. 

It Was The First Sports Facility In The US With Three Tiers

The original home of the Yankees was the first three-tiered sports facility in the United States and one of the first baseball fields in the country to be given the name "stadium."  Baseball teams typically played in a park or a field. The large electronic scoreboard was the first of its kind, too, as was the instant replay display installed after renovations later in the century.

Babe Ruth Wore Cabbage Under Hat

Playing baseball in the summertime can get very hot and exhausting. For Yankee legend Babe Ruth, he created an easy solution to this problem. Ruth would place cabbage leaves in an iced cooler to keep them cold. When the game would start, he would place the leaves under his cap to provide some much-needed relief for a few innings before needing to be replaced. Although it’s a bit disturbing to see someone put vegetables in their sweaty hat every night, this unusual technique seemed to help his game, so you can't argue with success.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Bob Hope_3

On this day in 2003, Bob Hope turned 100 years old.  Dubbed “Mr. Entertainment” and the “King of Comedy,” Hope died less than two months after his 100th birthday celebration. Here are 6 things you probably didn't know about Bob Hope…

He Spent 48 Christmases Overseas

Bob Hope knew what it meant to be away from home during the holidays. From World War II to Desert Shield, the legendary star spent 48 Christmases overseas performing with the USO overseas entertaining the troops. Although Hope’s WWII performances won him the adoration of many service members, it wasn’t until the mid-twentieth century, when he began regularly hosting his infamous “Bob Hope Christmas Show,” that the iconic entertainer cemented his legendary status among the military and civilian communities alike.

You Can Thank Bob Hope For The Brady Bunch

It's possible that some of the most famous sitcoms may never have come to fruition if it wasn't for Bob Hope. Sherwood Schwartz was in school studying for a biology degree but needed a job, so he wrote jokes for Bob Hope, who had a radio program. Hope liked Schwartz’s jokes so much he hired him as a member of his writing staff. That opportunity gave Schwartz the foot in the door he needed to get into the biz. Not long after, he would go on to create Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch. Schwartz described his rise in Hollywood as an accident his whole life.

He Was A Harlem Globetrotter.

Hope was named an honorary Globetrotter in 1977, receiving jersey number 1.  He accepted the honor in typical Hope style by joking, "To be perfectly frank, I deserve to be a Globetrotter ...The Trotters are famed for making baskets. I’ve been making baskets myself lately, and if the psychiatrists let me out for an hour, I’ll be there for your presentation.”  A handful of other prominent figures have joined Hope to become honorary Globetrotters over the years, including Nelson Mandela, Henry Kissinger, and Pope Francis.

Without Bob Hope, There Would Be No Tony Bennett

Before his singing career took off, Anthony Dominick Benedetto was performing under the stage name of Joe Bari. In 1949, Benedetto found himself singing at the New York's Village Inn, and that's where he was discovered by Bob Hope. After listening to him sing, Hope offered Benedetto a spot in his show at the famed Paramount Theatre. When Hope asked what his real name was, the young singer responded – Anthony Dominick Benedetto. Bob Hope told him that the name was "too long for the marquee. We’ll call you Tony Bennett."

Tiger Woods Played Golf With Hope at Age Two

In 1978, Earl Woods brought his 2-year-old son, Tiger, to “The Mike Douglas Show” to compete in a putting contest as Bob Hope and actor Jimmy Stewart looked on. The little boy missed the first put and made the audience laugh when he moved the ball to within several inches of the hole for his second try. At 21, when he was the hottest golf player in the country, Hope called to ask if he would play at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic but was turned down because of a scheduling conflict. 

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Lincoln Memorial_2

On May 30, 1922, former President William Howard Taft dedicated the Lincoln Memorial to honor the memory and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about this iconic monument...

Lincoln's Son Lived To See The Unveiling Of The Monument

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, and efforts immediately began to build a tribute to the late President. The Lincoln Monument Association was officially created by Congress two years later, and craftsmen were sought to build the monument. But details about the project were argued about, which caused ongoing delays in construction. Construction finally began in 1914, with the majority of the details and architectural elements completed by 1917.  The memorial didn't open until 1922, just in time for a 78-year-old Robert Todd Lincoln -- the president's son -- to see the unveiling.

40% Of The Monument is Underground

When viewers bask in the 99-foot-tall, 202-foot-wide Lincoln Memorial, they’re really only seeing a little more than half of the construction. What many people do not know is that about 40% of the monument is actually underground. Rooted beneath the ground is the piece’s foundation, which extends 66 feet into the earth at its deepest point to help support the weight of the massive and heavy memorial site.

There Is A Typo On The Wall

Can you imagine being the person whose poor spelling is carved into history? That’s exactly what happened on the wall of the monument. On the north wall is an inscription of the former president's inaugural address delivered in March 1865 near the end of the Civil War. The inscription reads, "With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured." But if you pay close attention, you will notice that the word "Future" is spelled "Euture." Attempts have been made to correct the misspelling, though the blunder still remains somewhat visible.

Urban Legend Says He’s Signing His Initials

Take a good look at Lincoln's hands at the memorial. They appear to be in different positions, and many visitors have noticed that one hand is in a position that looks like the letter "A" in sign language, while the other looks a lot like the letter "L" -- as in Abraham Lincoln.  It might not be what the designer had intended, but there is pretty compelling evidence as Lincoln was the president who signed the charter for Gallaudet University, a university dedicated to teaching deaf students. Another popular myth is that there is a face hidden in the back of Lincoln’s hair, meant to immortalize the designer Daniel Chester French.

Four Score And Seven Steps

It’s an impressive climb up the staircase to the chamber of the Lincoln Memorial, but perhaps you didn’t know that it’s also a very fitting climb. The ascent from the lip of the Reflecting Pool into the temple itself clocks in at exactly 87, or "fourscore and seven," marble steps.  In other words, four score and seven steps, reminiscent of the celebrated start of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Examine these steps closely as you climb; halfway up the staircase there’s a marked stone where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood while delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech.

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5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day, folks! Memorial Day is the day we remember those who died in war defending the United States. While we realize that means you'll likely be spending your time barbecuing and relaxing, we thought you might be interested in these 5 fascinating facts about Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Began As A Response To The Civil War

Memorial Day had its beginnings at the end of the Civil War when the North and South went about commemorating the dead who fell in what remains the bloodiest war in American history. The loss of life and its effect on communities led to several spontaneous commemorations of laying flowers on headstones in the months after the war ended.

Union General John A. Logan Founded The Holiday

A retired Union Army major general, John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of a veterans' group, which was called the Grand Army of the Republic, set the date of the holiday for May 30. He chose that specific date because it was not the anniversary of any particular battle. The date was also selected to ensure that flowers across the country would be in full bloom by that time.

It Became A Federal Holiday In 1971

Americans supported Decoration Day immediately in 1868, and by 1890, every state had adopted it as an official holiday. However, it was not officially recognized nationwide until Congress declared it a national holiday in 1971. Due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which took effect in 1971, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday of May to ensure long weekends. Some groups, like the veterans’ organization American Legion, have been working to restore the original date to set Memorial Day apart and pay proper tribute to the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives defending the nation.

You Are Supposed To Pause For A Minute Of Silence At 3 P.M.

We're all aware that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, but Congress has also established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 2000, asks every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country. In addition to any federal observances. Major League Baseball games come to a stop during the Moment of Remembrance, and for the past several years, Amtrak engineers have taken up the practice of sounding their horns in unison at precisely 3:00 p.m.

You Wear Artificial Poppies Because Of A Poem

You may have noticed people wearing red poppy flowers pinned to their clothing on Memorial Day. This idea was influenced by the sight of poppies growing in a battle-scarred field in WWI which prompted the popular poem “In Flanders Fields” written by former Canadian Col. John McCrae, a Canadian doctor who served during World War I. McCrae was struck by the color contrast of the red poppies against the bleak battle-scarred landscape of Belgium. The poem's immortal opening stanza reads: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row”

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This Day In History: CNN's First Day On The Air

CNN was the brainchild of broadcasting executive Ted Turner as part of his Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), allegedly because industry professionals had told him it could not be done. After four years in development, CNN signed on the air at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 1980.

After an introduction by Ted Turner, the husband and wife team of David Walker and Lois Hart anchored the channel's first newscast. The top news story of the night was then-President Carter’s arrival in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was visiting civil rights leader-turned-adviser to Bill Clinton Vernon Jordan, who was “in serious but stable condition” following an assassination attempt on May 29. Gun violence got additional coverage with a story about Reggie Jackson, who had managed to duck a few shots following an argument over a parking space.

Also on the agenda was the upcoming Super Tuesday, four incidents of airliners running out of fuel just seconds after landing, “the first live satellite transmission to the Cable News Network” (from Jerusalem), increasing oil prices in Saudi Arabia, the first day of the 1980 hurricane season, and the kid who played Timmy on Lassie getting busted on cocaine charges.

The first hour wrapped up with a fairly awkward sign-off, courtesy of Hart, who audibly stumbled with how to “sign off” a 24-hour news network: "Stay with us. We’re going to have all kinds of news, sports, weather, and special … special features coming from now on and forever.

In its first years of operation, CNN lost money and was ridiculed as the Chicken Noodle Network. However, Turner continued to invest in building up the network’s news bureaus around the world. CNN eventually came to be known for covering live events around the world as they happened, often beating the major networks to the punch. The network gained significant traction with its live coverage of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the network’s audience grew along with the increasing popularity of cable television during the 1990s and well into the new millennium.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Grover Cleveland_2

On June, 2, 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland became the first sitting president to marry in the White House when he married Frances Folsom in an intimate ceremony in the Blue Room. To mark the anniversary of this happy event, here are 5 things you didn't know about President Grover Cleveland.   

He Married a 21-Year-Old Who Was Also His Legal Ward

Grover Cleveland was the second unmarried man ever elected to the presidency. However, on June 2, 1886, he became the first and only sitting president to marry in the White House. His bride was a 21-year-old named Francis Folsom, who would become the youngest first lady in US history.  Folsom was also Cleveland's legal guardian after her father, a law partner in Cleveland's company, died when she was 11 years old.  When Frances turned 21, Cleveland, aged 48, promptly married her.

Cleveland Was On The $1,000 Bill

The original $1,000 bill featured Alexander Hamilton on the front. When someone presumably realized that it might be confusing to have the same former Secretary of the Treasury on multiple denominations, Hamilton was replaced with President Grover Cleveland. Because of the size of the denominations, these notes were used by banks for large transactions and typically not by the general public.  While it doesn't exist today, the $1,000 remained in circulation until 1969. There are only 165,372 of these bills bearing Cleveland's visage still in existence.

He Is The Only President To Serve Non-Consecutive Terms

Elected in 1884, Grover Cleveland served as president from 1885 to March 1889 but lost his reelection bid to Benjamin Harrison in a tight race. During the next four years, he worked as an attorney in New York City and ran for president again in 1892. This time, he defeated Harrison and became the only US president to serve non-consecutive terms, serving as both the 22nd president and the 24th president.

He Personally Hanged Two Men

Grover Cleveland, a popular attorney in Buffalo, NY, was drafted by the local Democratic party to run for Sheriff of Erie County in 1870. Elected to the office, Cleveland was confronted with the upcoming execution of Patrick Morrisey in September 1872. Cleveland believed it was his ethical responsibility to carry out the hanging himself, despite his doubts about the barbarity of the sentence. On the day of the execution, Cleveland stood behind a screen and pulled a lever that dropped the unfortunate Morrisey to his fate. Cleveland would do the same thing again in February 1873.

An Argument Arose Over the Identity of “Baby Ruth”

In the early '20s, the Curtiss Candy Company of Chicago introduced a popular candy bar called the "Baby Ruth." To the public, it would seem obvious the company was attempting to cash in on the phenomenon of Yankee slugger Babe Ruth whose fame was on the rise. However, the company claimed that the bar was named after Ruth, as in the daughter of Grover Cleveland. The story sounded quite odd considering Grover  Cleveland had already been out of the White House for 30 years, and his daughter Ruth had be dead for 17 years. Many saw the company's story about the origin of the name to be a devious way to avoid having to pay the baseball player any royalties.

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5 Classic Songs You Won't Believe Were Once Banned

On June 3, 1956, rock and roll was banned in Santa Cruz, California, after it was believed to be detrimental to the morals and health of the community’s youth. Here are 5 surprising songs that were once deemed too scandalous for public consumption…

Bad Timing Got “Walk Like an Egyptian” Banned

Following the 2001 World Trade Center attacks, a radio network based in Texas requested that its stations remove 150 songs from their playlists. "Walk Like an Egyptian" by the Bangles was one of those songs because of its references to northern Africa. The song was also included in a "list of records to be avoided" drawn up by the BBC during the Gulf War.  Other songs included on the list were  "You Dropped the Bomb on Me," by the Gap Band, "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul, and Mary. John Lennon's "Imagine," was also banned due to the lyrics "Imagine there's no heaven," which was regarded as anti-religious.

Immorality Was the Cause of A Rolling Stones Banned Song

Morals appeared to be the issue with the 1967 song “Let’s Spend the Night Together” by The Rolling Stones when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Stones were not supposed to sing this song on the show but insisted, saying they would change the lyrics to “spend some time together” instead of “spend the night together,” but when singing, he substituted “mmmm” for the missing word.  Sullivan subsequently banned The Rolling stones from ever appearing on the program again.

Free Advertising Banned a Song by The Kinks

In 1970, “Lola” came out and was about a man in love with a transvestite, but that wasn’t the problem. The BBC banned the song because of the lyrics "where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca-Cola."  Ray Davies, the band's lead singer, was flown from the United States to the United Kingdom to re-record this one line, as the government-run station could not be seen to support any specific product. Now, according to the song, the champagne "tastes like cherry cola" and all was well in the world again. 

"My Generation" Was Deemed Unfair To The Disabled

As lead singer of The Who, Roger Daltrey provided lead vocals for “My Generation,” the 1965 anthem which is considered to be the most renowned rock song with stuttering vocals. When the song was recorded, Roger Daltrey sang the lyrics "Why don't you all f.f.f...fade away because he was having trouble reading Pete Townshend's lyrics. They chose to retain the stutter and incorporate it into some other lines too ("don't try to dig what we all s.s.s...say") Surprisingly, the song almost did not receive any airplay because the BBC initially banned the song on the grounds that it was offensive to people who stutter. However, due to the song's tremendous popularity, the BBC removed the prohibition and permitted it to be broadcast.

Bobby Darin’s “Splish Splash” Was About a Guy in a Towel

“Splish Splash,” sung by Bobby Darin, was a popular song about a fellow who gets out of his bath and joins a party. The ban was because he never mentions getting dressed. Apparently, he attended the party wearing only a towel, which wasn’t enough to pacify some listeners. 

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Bruce Springsteen_3

On June 4, 1984, Bruce Springsteen released the record "Born In The U.S.A." which would soon become his biggest-selling album of all time.  Here are 5 things you might not know about the singer and songwriter nicknamed “The Boss.”

There Really is an E Street

Belmar, New Jersey, is the location of E Street and is the same name as Springsteen's band. According to Springsteen lore, the band took its name from the street because original keyboard player David Sancious' mother lived there and allowed the band to rehearse in her house. E Street has been a photo-op over the years for Springsteen fans from around the world. An eight-foot-high replica of Bruce Springsteen's legendary Fender Esquire guitar is on display at the corner of 10th Avenue and E Street in Belmar.

He Wrote "Fire" For Elvis Presley

In May of 1977, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Van Zandt attended an Elvis Presley concert in Philadelphia. Springsteen reportedly wrote "Fire" a few days later and sent the demo to Elvis that summer, hoping The King would record it. Unfortunately, Elvis died that August, so Springsteen gave the song to Robert Gordon. Gordon's version of the song was covered by The Pointer Sisters, who made it a hit in 1979.

He Originally Wrote Hungry Heart For The Ramones

When Springsteen met Joey Ramone in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Ramone asked him to write a song for The Ramones. Springsteen composed "Hungry Heart" that night, but decided to keep it for himself on the advice of his producer and manager, Jon Landau. Previously, upbeat and catchy Springsteen songs such as "Blinded by the Light", "Because the Night", and "Fire" had been given away and become hits for others, and Landau preferred the trend not continue. The title is drawn from a line in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem "Ulysses": "For always roaming with a hungry heart".

He Invaded Graceland

At the peak of his career, Elvis Presley had grown to be a favorite among many fans. Many people had tried to hop over the wall into his Graceland home to meet him, but very few are as famous as Bruce Springsteen. Bruce tried to make his way into the compound in 1976 to meet his hero, but was met with security who informed him that Elvis was not in town.

There's a Springsteen Muppet

"Sesame Street" has performed several parodies of Bruce Springsteen songs including the songs "Barn in the U.S.A." and "Born to Add." The tunes have been performed by a Muppet named Bruce Stringbean who is backed by the S Street Band.

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5 Things You Didn't Know Abount Ronald Reagan

On June 5, 2004, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, died in Los Angeles at age 93 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Here are 5 things you probably didn't know about Ronald Reagan.

He Was Almost Killed By A Chimpanzee

Ronald Reagan became famous for his role in Bedtime for Bonzo in 1951, which co-starred a chimpanzee. Peggy, the chimp's name, grew enamored with the tie Reagan wore in one scene and began pulling on it like a rope. Refusing to let go, she squeezed the knot to the size of a fingernail. After finally being released, Reagan was tended to by crew personnel who had to cut the tie off his neck.

Jelly Beans Became a Reagan Trademark

Reagan began snacking on jelly beans in 1966, shortly after he gave up pipe smoking. Goelitz Candy, which produced his favored jelly bean, sent him shipments from 1967 to 1975 when Reagan served as Governor of California. The company continued to ship its jelly beans to the White House throughout Reagan's eight years in office. They were even granted authorization to distribute jelly bean jars bearing the official presidential seal to be given out at functions.

He Was An Informant For The FBI

Reagan served as the Screen Actors Guild chairman from the late 1940s into the early 1950s. In 1947, he worked with the FBI as an informer, providing the Feds with the names of actors suspected of being Communist Party members or sympathizers.  J Edgar Hoover, who regarded Reagan as an ally, took an interest in the development of his political career. Shortly before Reagan launched his candidacy for governor of California, the FBI discovered that his adopted son, Michael, had unknowingly become good friends with the son of Mafia boss Joseph 'Joe Bananas' Bonnano. Hoover arranged for a discreet tip-off to Reagan, warning him to end the association before it became an embarrassment.

His Nickname, The "Gipper," Came From a Movie

Reagan was given the nicknames Ronnie and Dutch as a child due to his Dutch boy haircut. However, it was during his time in Hollywood that he earned his most famous nickname, Gipper. He starred in the film Knute Rockne, All American as football player George Gipp. While on his deathbed, the character gives the iconic line "Win just one for the Gipper."  

He Was the Voice of the Chicago Cubs

After graduating from Eureka College in 1932, Reagan began his professional career as a sports announcer for WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa, and became the voice of the Chicago Cubs. But rather than being at the game, he would recreate the action from nothing but a slip of paper typed by a telegraph operator who was transcribing plays sent by Morse code. On June 7, 1934, with the Cubs and the Cardinals tied 0-0 in the ninth inning, with Billy Jurges at-bat and Dizzy Dean out on the mound, the line went dead. Rather than lose his audience, Reagan improvised a streak of foul balls that lasted nearly twelve minutes until the wire came back.

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5 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About D-Day_3

On June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed at Normandy in northern France, in a massive assault that became known as D-Day. Here are 5 shocking facts you didn’t know about this turning point in World War II…

Where The Code Names Of The Beaches Came From Is a Mystery

Much of the action of D-Day was focused on 50 miles of coastlines. More specifically, 5 beaches were the center of D-Day action which had code names of Juno, Gold, Sword, Omaha, and Utah.  The Americans were sent to Utah and Omaha; British forces landed on Gold and Sword, and the Canadian 3rd Division landed on Juno. How these code names were established remains a mystery to this day. However, it's speculated that "Omaha" and "Utah" were named by US general Omar Bradley after two of his staff carpenters. (One of the men was from Omaha, Nebraska, while the other was from Provo, Utah.)

The Allies Fooled the Nazis on Their D-Day Landings

Hitler was confident that his troops would destroy the Allies if they landed in France. However, the German military would have to know precisely where the Allies would start their invasion. The Allies engaged in an in-depth misinformation crusade to trick the Nazis about where they would make landfall. All sorts of trickery were employed to convince the Nazis that the American and British troops would land at the Pas de Calais.  including inflatable tanks and fake radio transmissions. A ghost army of rubber airplanes, inflatable tanks and vehicles were built to throw the Germans off. The plan worked, as the Germans had a large portion of their military stationed there. This left the Germans under-defended on D-Day.

D-Day Was Planned With The Help Of Meteorologists

General Eisenhower — who would eventually become the President of the United States — led the operation of landings at Normandy and the invasion of France, which were code-named "Operation Overlord." He used the assistance of meteorologists to help him choose the date to ensure optimal weather for the invasion. Eisenhower consulted with three different teams of meteorologists, who predicted that in early June, the weather would be best on June 5, 6, or 7; if not then, they'd have to wait for late June. Eisenhower had intended to begin the operation on June 5th however there were extremely strong winds that day.  Eisenhower chose to wait 24 hours. Ike eventually launched the attack on June 6, despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions.  It’s worth noting that if he’d waited for a clearer day, the Germans might have been better prepared for his advance.

Eisenhower Wrote a Letter of Resignation in the Event The Invasion Failed

General Eisenhower had his doubts and prepared a letter of resignation and apology. Here's what it says: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

A Pigeon Named Gustav Brought the First Report of the Landing

News of the Normandy invasion came by an unlikely source, a pigeon named Gustav, that carried the message strapped to its leg. The message read that troops were 20 miles away from the beaches, and the first of the assault troops had landed at 7:30 a.m. with no interference. It took Gustav five hours and 16 minutes to reach Thorney Island along the Thames River and deliver the message.  For their service, that day, Gustav and three other pigeons, as well as Brian the dog, received the Dickin Medal, an animal version of the Victoria Cross. 

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5 Things You Might Not Know About Vatican City

On June 7, 1929, Vatican City was established as a sovereign state after Benito Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty in Rome. It's widely known that the Vatican is where the Pope resides and is where you'll find the Sistine Chapel. Here are 5 things other things you didn't know about this independent nation...

Vatican City Is The Smallest Country In The World

Encircled by a 2-mile border with Italy, Vatican City is an independent city-state that covers just over 100 acres, making it one-eighth the size of New York’s Central Park. Vatican City is governed as an absolute monarchy with the pope at its head. The Vatican mints its own euros, issues its own passports and has its own flag and anthem. It is deficient in one government function: taxation. The Vatican generates revenue from admission fees and souvenir sales.

Benito Mussolini Signed Vatican City Into Existence

The conflict between the Italian government and the Catholic Church was resolved in 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Pacts, which established the Vatican as a sovereign state and compensated the church $92 million for the Papal States. The contribution was used as seed money to replenish the Vatican's coffers. Mussolini, the head of the Italian government, signed the treaty on behalf of King Victor Emmanuel III.

The Swiss Guard Has Been Protecting the Pope Since 1506

The Swiss Guard was hired to protect the pontiff back in 1506 by Pope Julius II for his personal protection. in the footsteps of many European courts of the time, hired one of the Swiss mercenary forces for his personal protection. The Swiss Guard’s role in Vatican City is strictly to protect the safety of the pope. Although the world’s smallest standing army appears to be strictly ceremonial, its soldiers are extensively trained and highly skilled marksmen. And, yes, the force is entirely comprised of Swiss citizens.

No One Is A Born Citizen Of The Country

The entire population of Vatican City is only around 800 people. Every citizen who resides in the city is Roman Catholic and is considered to be influential or significant in some way within Catholicism. The clergy and the Swiss Guards who defend the Vatican City are the only people allowed to reside inside the Vatican City. There is no hospital in Vatican City, therefore, to gain citizenship you actually cannot be born in the country. Citizenship is granted based on authority and power within the Vatican.

Vatican City Has The Highest Crime Rate In The World

With 1.5 crimes per citizen, Vatican City has the highest crime rate in the world. But before you cancel your trip, it’s important to note that the majority of crime that occurs there is petty theft. Given the large tourist crowds, Vatican City is a pickpocket and purse-snatcher’s paradise. Some argue the rate is high because it does not have a long-term prison. That’s not to say there are no major crimes. In 2007, the Vatican had its first drug-related crime, after a Holy See employee was found in possession of cocaine. And in 1998, a newly appointed commander of the Pope’s Swiss Guard and his wife were murdered in their apartment.

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5 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Porsche

On June 8, 1948, a hand-built aluminum prototype labeled “No. 1″ became the first vehicle to bear the name of one of the world’s leading luxury car manufacturers: Porsche. Here are 5 interesting facts you didn't know about this famous car company.

Porsche Built The First Electric Vehicle

The Tesla S electric car was introduced in 2012. But 112 years earlier a 23-year-old Ferdinand Porsche – with no former engineering education – was hired at Lohner-Werke in Vienna to create an electric drivetrain for the company's 'Horseless Carriages' – the 1900s term for 'cars'. The youthful prodigy mounted electric motors on the front-wheel hubs, which were fed by two electric generators which in turn were powered by two tiny 137cc one-cylinder gasoline engines. Most automotive historians recognize this 1900 Lohner-Porsche as the first, full-electric automobile. The automobile was showcased at the 1900 Paris World Fair. Due to a variety of factors, not the least of which being the fact that it was only 1900, the technology never quite caught on. 

The Famous Porsche Crest Was Designed On The Back Of A Napkin

One of Porsche’s most famous and iconic features is of course its crest featured on the front of all vehicles. The crest is based on the coat of arms of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg and where Porsche has been based for decades.  The story is that Ferry, Ferdinand Porsche’s son, was meeting with a New York distributor in a restaurant. The distributor, Max Hoffman, suggested that the company needed a mascot or symbol. Ferry Porsche sketched the design on a napkin, took the napkin with him back to Germany, altered it a bit, and it was then placed on the company’s vehicles. 

Porsche Used To Build Tractors

While he was developing the Volkswagen Beetle in the 1930s, Ferdinand Porsche was also developing a prototype for a tractor called the Volkstraktor in German, but World War II caused the project to be shelved. When the project resumed, approximately 125,000 Porsche/Allgaier tractors were built between 1956-1963.  They even designed forklift trucks and airplane cockpits.

The French Arrested Porsche For Committing War Crimes

Hitler sponsored a state-owned automobile factory that would produce the “People’s Car,” and, upon reviewing the conceptual vehicles that Ferdinand had developed, made the decision to proceed with Porsche’s design. Porsche was lauded as the “Great German Engineer” (despite being of Czech descent). Porsche joined both the National Socialist German Workers' Party and the SS in 1937.  By 1942, he had achieved the rank of SS-Oberführer. As a civilian officer of the SS, he was awarded the War Merit Cross. However, once World War II ended, his affiliation with the Nazis wasn't looked upon with favor, and the French arrested him, along with his son and son-in-law. Porsche's son was in prison for six months, while Ferdinand and his son-in-law served 22 months before being found innocent of the charges.

Porsche Built The First Volkswagen Beetle In His Garage

A few months after submitting his design of a "People's Car" to the Reich Ministry of Transport, he received an order to develop it. The original order for one prototype increased to three by the ministry on December 7, 1934. Porsche assembled the models in his garage at his private villa in Stuttgart. Mass production of the car, which later became known as the Beetle, began after the end of the war. 

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5 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Secretariat

On June 9, 1973, Secretariat won horse racing's Triple Crown with a victory at the Belmont Stakes. Known as one of the greatest racehorses to ever live, Secretariat became the first horse since 1948 to win America’s coveted Triple Crown. Here are 5 things you didn't know about the racehorse commonly known as "Big Red".

Secretariat Had 3 White Socks

One of Secretariat’s most recognizable traits is represented by his three white socks. He had those socks at the time of his birth, and they never really went away as he matured. They gave him a distinctive appearance that set him apart from other racehorses. Officially, the “sock” trait in horses represents a white marking that extends higher than the fetlock but not as high as the knee or hock. These patterns are also occasionally referred to as "boots," and they are rather common in the equine world. Apart from his socks, Secretariat's face was marked with a star and a narrow stripe.

Secretariat Holds the Fastest Time in the Kentucky Derby

Secretariat is most well-known for his incredible performances in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Not only did he win all three of these races to become the Triple Crown champion, but he did it all in record times. Secretariat broke the Kentucky Derby record time set by Northern Dancer in 1964 – a record time yet to be topped. Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby with a record time of 1:59.40, the Preakness with a time of 1:53, and the Belmont with a time of 2:24.

Secretariat Was Buried Whole

The average horse lives between 25 and 30 years, and Secretariat, the greatest racehorse to ever live, died at 19. He developed laminitis in his last year, a debilitating, painful disease that affects a horse's hooves. After a month of treatment, his condition did not improve and the tough choice to put him down was made. While tradition dictates that only the head, heart, and hooves of a winning racehorse are buried upon its death, Secretariat was actually given the honor to be buried whole. Fans of the great racehorse often leave flowers, peppermints, and apples on the gravestone. Being buried whole is still regarded as quite an honor even in this day and age.

His Heart Was Enormous

Not only was Secretariat was known for being kind-hearted, but he also had a big heart in the literal sense. In fact, his heart was about two and a half times larger than the average horse. After Secretariat was euthanized on October 4, 1989, at the age of 19, veterinarian Thomas Swerczek performed a necropsy. Swerczek discovered that the stallion had an abnormally large heart. While the average heart of a horse weighs 8.5 pounds, Secretariat’s weighed between 21-22 pounds.

Secretariat Graced The Cover Of Many Magazines

After his outstanding journey to become the ninth Triple Crown winner, Secretariat was featured in many best-selling magazines. He graced the covers of Sports Illustrated, Time, and Newsweek. The big chestnut also received so much fan mail that the William Morris Agency was tasked to manage the Thoroughbred’s public engagements. Secretariat received so much attention from the press and his adoring fans he even learned to pose for the camera. There is even a movie about him called Secretariat. 

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5 Amazing Things You Didn't Know About Benjamin Franklin_2

On June 10, 1752, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity. A brilliant inventor, publisher, politician, and ambassador, the founding father wore many different hats in his lifetime. Here are 5 amazing things about the man on the $100 bill.

He Never Patented Any Of His Inventions

Despite being a prolific inventor, he never patented an invention. Franklin could have received monetary credit for all of the remarkable ideas of his lifetime, and yet he never sought a patent for any of his inventions. According to PBS, it was against his belief system. Franklin quipped, "As we benefit from the inventions of others, we should be glad to share our own... freely and gladly." A few of his amazing inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, swim fins, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions.

His Son Was a Supporter of The British

Along with the two children he had with his wife, Deborah Read, Franklin also fathered an illegitimate son named William around 1730. The two were once close friends and partners—William helped Franklin with his famous kite experiment—but they later had a major falling out over the American Revolution. Willian was a Tory who strongly supported Great Britain. William Franklin ultimately ended up in a colonial prison for being against the war for independence and later moved to England. The two never spoke again.

He Created The First Volunteer Fire Department In The U.S.

Franklin did a lot to help others, including creating the first volunteer fire department in the United States. He believed that fire prevention methods needed improvement and even published many articles about the subject for the Pennsylvania Gazette. As a result, in 1736, the Union Fire Company was created and was even playfully dubbed as Benjamin Franklin’s Bucket Brigade.

He Was The Only Founding Father To Sign All Four Documents The US Used To Gain Independence

It's no secret that Benjamin Franklin is one of the country's founding fathers, but he was the only one to sign all four documents used to gain independence from Britain: the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778, the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the US Constitution in 1787.To top that off, Franklin was also the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, having added his "John Hancock" at the age of 70.

Franklin Is a Member of The Hall of Fame For Swimmers

Franklin's love of swimming started when he was a child growing up in Boston.  A set of hand paddles was one of his first inventions, which he used to travel on the Charles River. A friend even noticed his swimming skills in the 1720s and proposed that Franklin open a swimming school. He did not, but he remained an outspoken advocate for children learning to swim. He later received an honorary induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About John Wayne_2

On June 11, 1979, John Wayne, the iconic film actor famous for starring in countless westerns, died at age 72 after battling cancer for more than a decade. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about John “The Duke” Wayne.

He Lost His Middle Name To His Brother

John Wayne “lost” his own middle name to his little brother. The actor was born “Marion Robert Morrison,” but after the birth of his little brother in 1911, his parents named the baby Robert Emmett Morison and changed the man who would be John Wayne’s name to “Marion Michael Morrison.” He had his first starring role as the cowboy Breck Coleman in the 1930 film, “The Big Trail.” It was during this production that studio executives gave Morrison a new name in the hopes of making him an easier sell to film audiences, and he happily accepted the moniker “John Wayne”

Stalin Ordered John Wayne Killed

Joseph Stalin loved movies but became furious over Wayne’s anti-communist statements, so he ordered two KBG agents to assassinate him in 1951. Though the FBI intercepted the two hitmen before they could reach Wayne, it would not be his last assassination attempt. Another plot was foiled when a sniper tried to take out Wayne while he was visiting Vietnam in 1966. The assassination order was eventually rescinded by Stalin's successor, Nikita Khrushchev, who apologized for the event when he met Wayne in 1958.  

He Had A Beef With Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood once sent Wayne a letter that suggested they star in a western together. Unfortunately, Wayne was not an Eastwood fan and especially hated the revisionist style and violence of Eastwood’s latest western, High Plains Drifter (1973). Wayne made his feelings known in a carefully worded letter he sent Eastwood.  Eastwood said he never responded to Wayne’s letter, refusing to comment on the criticism

His Film The Conquerors May Have Killed Him

In 1956, Wayne starred in The Conqueror, a movie about Genghis Khan that co-starred Agnes Moorhead, Dick Powell, Susan Hayward, and Pedro Armendáriz. The movie was shot in southeast Utah, just downwind from where the U.S. government was conducting nuclear weapon tests at the height of the Cold War.  91 out of 220 members of the cast and crew members came down with cancer, including Wayne himself, who lost a lung and ribs to pulmonary cancer. Though the radioactivity certainly may have played a part, Wayne's six-pack-a-day smoking habit certainly didn't help anything either

His Grandnephew Co-Starred in Rocky V

Tommy Morrison was the famed movie star’s grandnephew and once held titles as the ICB and WBO heavyweight champion. He retired from boxing in 1996 when he tested positive for HIV. Morrison is also known for his acting career, having starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1990 film Rocky V as Tommy Gunn. Before the new millennium, he bought a cave, convinced that the world was coming to an end at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, 2000. Morrison died in 2013 from complications from AIDS at the age of 44.

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5 Cool Facts We Bet You Didn't Know About Arkansas

On June 15, 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state to join the Union. To celebrate the anniversary of this historic event, here are 5 cool facts we bet you didn't know about the state officially nicknamed "The Natural State".

It Is Illegal To Mispronounce “Arkansas” While In Arkansas

It's illegal to pronounce "Arkansas" wrong. In 1947, in an effort to safeguard the heritage of the state, Arkansas enacted legal code 1-4-105, which states, “The only true pronunciation of the name of the state … is that received by the French from the native Indians and committed to writing in the French word representing the sound. It should be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final ‘s’ silent, the ‘a’ in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of ‘a’ in ‘man’ and the sounding of the terminal ‘s’ is an innovation to be discouraged.”

Arkansas Is The World Capital Of A Variety Of Things

Numerous cities in Arkansas take pride in being the world capital of a variety of different things. Alma, Arkansas claims to be the capital of spinach, going so far as to erect a statue of Popeye the Sailor. Hope, Arkansas, claims to produce the world's largest watermelons where a mere 260 pounder doesn't even raise an eyebrow. Mount Ida is home to the world capital of quartz crystals, Mountain View is home to folk music, and Pine Bluff is the world capital of archery bow production.

Arkansas Produced Some Of The Biggest Diamonds On Earth

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County, Arkansas, is the only remaining active diamond mine in the United States, and one of just two in the country's history. Today, Crater of Diamonds mostly serves as a tourist attraction where tourists can prospect for their own gemstones. In fact, Arkansas is home to the three largest diamonds ever discovered in America—diamonds that are among the largest ever discovered on Earth. The Strawn-Wagner, discovered by Shirley Strawn in 1990 is currently on permanent exhibit at the Crater of Diamonds tourist center and is widely regarded as the world's first perfect diamond.

Arkansas Is Home To Two Particularly Bizarre Phenomena

Arkansas is home to two bizarre occurrences. The first is referred to as the Dover Lights, an unexplained illumination that happens in an empty valley in the Ozark Mountains. According to legend, the lights are generated by the restless spirits of Spanish soldiers who died searching for treasure. The second odd occurrence is more terrestrial in nature. The Fouke Monster, also known as the Southern Sasquatch or the Beast of the Boggy Creek, was brought to global attention in 1971. The bothersome cousin of Bigfoot, rumored to be seven feet tall, three feet wide, 300 pounds, and covered in hair, has been accused of destroying Arkansan livestock and crops.

Arkansas Invented Cheese Dip

Cheese dip is considered to be an important part of Arkansas’s food culture. Little Rock holds the World Cheese Dip Championship annually, which makes sense since cheese dip was invented there by Blackie Donnelly at his Mexico Chiquito Ark-Mex restaurant in 1935 in North Little Rock. Cheese dip is served pretty much in every nook and cranny restaurant of The Natural State. 

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Bob Dylan_2

On June 16, 1965 — 56 years ago today — Bob Dylan recorded "Like A Rolling Stone". It would prove to be Dylan's magnum opus and is considered to be one of the most influential compositions in postwar popular music.  Here are 5 things you didn't know about Bob Dylan.

Like a Rolling Stone Had 20 Pages Of Lyrics

At  six-minute-and-34-seconds, Like a Rolling Stone was nearly twice as long as the average single. Columbia Records was unhappy with both the song's length and its heavy electric sound and was hesitant to release it. It was only when, a month later, a copy was leaked to a new popular music club and heard by influential DJs that the song was put out as a single. Although radio stations were reluctant to play such a long track, "Like a Rolling Stone" reached No. 2 in the US Billboard charts and became a worldwide hit.

He Was Almost Elston Gunn, Not Bob Dylan

Most Dylan fans know that his real name is actually Robert Zimmerman. But few know that in the early days of his music career, he went by the name of “Elston Gunn”. However, he began using the name Bob Dylan in 1959 when he was taking classes at the University of Minnesota.  In his 2004 autobiography, he stated “The first time I was asked my name in the Twin Cities, I instinctively and automatically, without thinking, simply said: ‘Bob Dylan.’ On August 2, 1962, Robert Allen Zimmerman made it official when he legally changed his name to Robert Dylan. 

Dylan Never Had a Number One Single

Despite being one of the greatest songwriters of all-time, Bob Dylan has never had a number one single in the United States or the United Kingdom. The closest he came was with Like A Rolling Stone and the 1966 tune Rainy Day Women which peaked at number two on the American Billboard chart. Although his singles never reached the number one position on the record charts, Dylan has enjoyed six number one studio albums in the UK, as well as five in the States – although it wasn’t until his 13th release, Planet Waves in 1974, that he secured his first American chart-topper.

The Agent Who Signed Him Also Discovered Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, and Bruce Springsteen

John Hammond had quite the ear for future superstars. Despite the fact that one executive at Columbia Records said Dylan's voice was "the most horrible thing I've ever heard in my life," Hammond went with his gut and signed the young singer-songwriter after hearing him play harmonica on a Carolyn Hester album. Dylan almost lost the contract after his debut album flopped. Thankfully, the "Man in Black" himself, Johnny Cash, stepped in and urged Hammond to keep Dylan on Columbia's roster.

Bob Dylan Opened For Martin Luther King

Young musicians often open performances for big, better-known artists, but a 22-year-old Bob Dylan once opened Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech in 1963 in front of more than 200,000 people in Washington. Dylan played two songs in a short set, “When the Ship Comes in” and the apt “Only A Pawn In Their Game”.

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5 Shocking Facts You Didn't About O.J. Simpson_2

On June 17, 1994, 95 million people tuned in to watch former NFL superstar OJ Simpson as he led police on a low-speed, 60-mile chase across Los Angeles. Here are five shocking facts you might have missed, even if you were glued to your TV set...

Simpson Trained In Knife Combat For a Role Before The Murder

Back in Simpson’s acting days, he appeared in a pilot for the show Frogmen. In the role, he played the lead of a team of ex-Navy SEALs who worked out of a surf shop in Malibu, California. For the role, Simpson was trained in knife combat. According to Variety, there was also a scene in which Simpson held a knife to the throat of a female intruder.

Simpson Had a Fake Goatee With Him In The Bronco

At 6'1" and well over 200 pounds, Simpson was pretty easy to spot in a crowded room. Then consider the fact that he was one of the most recognizable faces in sports history, and you'll understand why the man thought he needed a disguise. But a glue-on goatee? You can do better than that, Juice. Despite the fact OJ claims he was not running from police, evidence in the car suggests otherwise. In addition to the infamous 357 Magnum he carried, the iconic White Ford Bronco had $9,000 in cash, his passport, makeup, and some adhesive for the fake goatee.

He Released a Rap Music Video Titled, "Get Juiced"

Yes, you read that right. The former NFL star tried to dip his toes into music with the song, “Get Juiced.” The rap song was actually the theme song of his prank show, which is another bizarre business venture he pursued following the murder trial. What do you do after you evade murder charges? Well, other than rapping, you could also star in a prank TV show. In 2006, Simpson starred in Juiced, which was essentially a ripoff of Punk’d. On the show, he would go undercover at places like fast-food restaurants. He would take people’s orders and once they realized who he was, he would say, “You’ve been Juiced!"  

Domino's Made a Bundle Off The Car Chase

The OJ chase involving the white Ford Bronco had 95 million viewers, according to Business Insider. The chase kicked off around 6:00 pm PST, right at the time most families would be settling down to dinner. People were so enthralled by the bizarre nature of what was happening, they didn’t want to miss a moment. So, families across America did what anyone would do in such a situation—they called Dominos. Though the company declined to share actual sales figures, one executive claimed that sales equaled that of a Super Bowl. 

America Came To A Standstill During The O.J. Verdict

The O.J. Simpson verdict has been called one of the most-watched events in television history. On that day, everyone pretty much stopped to see what the verdict would be. Long-distance calls dropped by 58%, trading volume dropped by 41% on the New York Stock Exchange, government meetings were delayed, and other losses in productivity occurred because people remained glued to their television sets. G.Q. Magazine reported a possible loss of around $480 million in productivity because of the high interest in the conclusion of the famous trial. It was the least productive half-hour in American business history.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Sally Ride

On June 18, 1983,  the space shuttle Challenger was launched into space on its second mission. Onboard the shuttle was Dr. Sally K. Ride, who became the first American woman in space. To celebrate this milestone, here are 5 amazing facts you might not know about Sally Ride.

She Was a Passenger On The Challenger Twice

Ride made two space flights onboard the Challenger space shuttle, and she was eight months into her training program for a third flight aboard the shuttle when it exploded in 1986. Ride found out about the accident while flying on an airplane when the pilot revealed the news. After hearing the announcement, she got out her NASA badge and went to the cockpit to listen to radio reports on the catastrophe. Four of the Challenger crew members who perished were in Ride's astronaut training class.

She Was The First Openly LGBTQ Astronaut

In life, Sally Ride became famous as America's first woman in space — and in death, she added to her fame as the first acknowledged gay astronaut. While Ride's marriage to fellow astronaut Steve Hawley was well-known, it wasn't until her death that her long-term romance with Tam O'Shaughnessy was made public. Sally first met Tam O’Shaughnessy when they were preteens playing on the junior tennis circuit in Southern California. The revelation was revealed in an obituary that referred to Tam O'Shaughnessy as her "partner of 27 years" before Sally’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2012.

She Played Tennis Against Billie Jean King

While attending Stanford, Sally taught tennis at a summer camp in Lake Tahoe. Billie Jean King, a tennis champion, came to the camp in 1972 and played an exhibition doubles match against Sally.  King told Sally that if she worked hard, she could make it as a professional tennis player. But Sally had already made up her mind about pursuing a career in physics.

She Worked On The Space Shuttle Investigations

On January 28, 1986, Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. As a member of the presidential commission investigating the disaster, Sally helped bring to light the fact that NASA management knew the shuttle’s O-rings could fail in cold temperatures. Then, when shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry in 2003, Sally again was named to the investigative panel, becoming the only person to serve on the commissions investigating both space shuttle tragedies.

She Received The Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor

In 2013, President Obama honored Sally posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he presented to her partner Tam O'Shaughnessy. "As the first American woman in space, Sally did not just break the stratospheric glass ceiling, she blasted through it," Obama said. "And when she came back to Earth, she devoted her life to helping girls excel in fields like math, science, and engineering."

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5 Things You Might Not Know About "The Sopranos"_2

On this day in 2013, James Gandolfini, the actor best known for his role as New Jersey crime boss Tony Soprano, died of a heart attack while on vacation in Rome, Italy.  Here are five interesting facts you'll want to know about The Sopranos.

The Sopranos Shares 28 Cast Members With The Movie Goodfellas

Six of the regular cast members from "The Sopranos" starred in Martin Scorsese's film Goodfellas. Lorraine Bracco, Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Pastore, Joseph Gannascoli, and Frank Vincent appeared in both the movie and television show. Ten recurring Sopranos characters and 11 one-time guest stars also appeared in  Martin Scorsese's 1990 mobster movie.

James Gandolfini Was Not the First Choice To Play Tony

It's hard to imagine anyone but James Gandolfini in the lead role of Tony Soprano, but according to David Chase, he originally envisioned Bruce Springsteen's guitarist, Steve Van Zandt, as the top dog. Chase saw Van Zandt giving a speech at the Rock n" Roll Hall of Fame and found him funny and charming. He also felt Van Zandt looked like a younger Al Pacino. HBO wasn't willing to roll the dice on a first-time actor for such an important role, which is why Gandolfini was cast. But, Chase didn't give up on having Van Zandt as part of the show—he wrote in a character especially for Van Zandt. The character Silvio Dante, who Van Zandt came to play, was in fact inspired by a short story about a retired hitman written by Van Zandt himself.

The Producers Wanted Lorraine Bracco to Play Tony’s Wife

Lorraine Bracco was cast as Tony's wife, Carmela Soprano, by the Sopranos producers after she played a similar role in Goodfellas. Bracco, on the other hand, had a different idea and asked to play Tony's psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, because she thought it would be a more challenging role. Bracco's performance earned her four Emmy nods and three Golden Globe nominations. Carmela was, of course, played by the brilliant Edie Falco.

Tony Sirico Was a Criminal in Real Life

Tony Sirico, who played Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri, had a long rap sheet with 28 arrests, more than his 27 acting credits. The character's living arrangements and tendency toward neatness came from his real life. The similarities between Sirico and his character didn't stop there, according to both Sirico and Chase.  Paulie's neat-freak tendencies and unusual living arrangements were transferred directly from Sirico's real-life to the screen. "I lived with Ma for 16 years before she passed. David knew that going in. That became one of my storylines," he told Vanity Fair.

The Theme Song Was "Woke Up This Morning" By Alabama 3

Producer David Chase wanted to try something new by playing a different song at each episode's opening credits. Other producers told him it was a bad idea, and he eventually chose "Woke Up This Morning" by Alabama 3, an English band. Alabama 3 frontman Rob Spragg created the song after reading about the 1996 murder trial of Sara Thornton, who stabbed her alcoholic husband to death after suffering years of domestic abuse at his hands. He had no idea that his song would become synonymous with Jersey mobsters.

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5 Surprising Facts To Know About Father's Day_2

Happy Father's Day, folks! Today the country will be celebrating Father's Day, which was officially designated a national holiday in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. So this Father’s Day, call up your pops and tell him all about these 5 fun facts about Father's Day.

The Idea for Father’s Day Was Conceived by a Mother

Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea to celebrate fathers in 1909 while attending a Mother's Day service at her church. Dodd's father was a widower who cared for his six children by himself after his wife passed away during childbirth.  The following year, Dodd wanted to celebrate Father's Day on June 5th, her father's birthday and petitioned for the holiday to be recognized in her city. Needing more time to arrange the festivities, Spokane’s mayor pushed the date back by two weeks, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. But it wasn’t for many years that it became an officially recognized holiday.  

Celebrating Father's Day on the Third Sunday of June Was the Result of a Compromise

We celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in June every year. But that date wasn't what Dodd had originally chosen. She wanted Father's Day to be celebrated on June 5, her father's birthday. However, the mayor of Spokane and church groups said they needed more time to prepare for the festivities. As such, the date was moved to June 19, 1910, the first official Father's Day celebration. Today, we continue to celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.

Father’s Day vs. Fathers’ Day

Any grammar geek could find the quandary in this holiday title. Isn’t the day set aside to celebrate all fathers, plural, rather than just an individual? Despite Dodd's request that the holiday be written as "Fathers' Day," the United States Congress designated the day as an official holiday as "Father's Day."

There Was a Movement to Combine Father’s And Mother’s Day

Not long after the first festivities began, there was a movement to combine both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day to create one holiday called Parents’ Day. Advertisers and retail merchants objected to combining the days because it might affect sales, and the idea was dropped with the Great Depression. Instead of combining the two holidays, Parents’ Day was added as an additional day to honor both mothers and fathers in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. 

Dad's Love Neckties

A necktie is one of the ultimate gifts for Father’s Day. But did you know that neckties date as far back the 17th century? Most historians agree that the necktie originated in the 17th century, during the 30-year war in France. King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries who wore a piece of cloth around their neck as part of their uniform. Alas, neckties do serve a function! They were used to tie the top of their jackets. But they also had quite a decorative effect, a look that King Louis became quite fond of. He actually liked it so much that he made these ties a mandatory accessory for Royal gatherings. The necktie was named “La Cravate” in honor of the Croatian soldiers.