Trivia

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5 Crazy Facts About The United States Constitution_3

On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the United States Constitution, thereby making the document the law of the land. Here are five crazy facts you didn't know about this important document...

The Electoral College Was Just As Controversial Then As It Is Now

Americans generally understand the Electoral College as part of the Presidential election process, but it's a topic that has long been shrouded in contention and debate. And the debate dates back to the time when the Constitution was initially was first drafted. Sixty separate ballots for the delegates had to be cast before the Electoral College was finally accepted. Those who argued in favor of the Electoral College believed it was a solid middle ground between those who wanted the president to be chosen based on the popular vote and those who wanted a Congressional vote. Since then, there have been over 500 proposals to reform or abolish the Electoral College.

It Cost $30 To Write The Constitution

Many of the founding fathers were present when the Constitution was written and ratified, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. But the actual wording and writing of the document were conducted by other individuals who were paid for their services. Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father of the United States,  wrote the Preamble to the Constitution and handled the majority of the document's wording. Jacob Shallus, an assistant clerk, was the one who actually held the pen and wrote the now-infamous words. Shallus was paid a handsome $30 for his penmanship, which equates to approximately $900 today.

It's Riddled With Odd Spellings

Back when the Constitution was originally written, the English language consisted of spellings of words that had not yet been standardized. As such, today, we find many words with unfamiliar spellings, British spellings, and even some words that seemed out of place by today's standards. For instance, the word Pennsylvania is missing an "n." There are spellings such as "defence," labour," and even "chuse" for choose. William Hickey, a clerk in the U.S. Senate, noticed all the errors in words and punctuations and corrected them in the 1840s, and the corrected version was published in 1847. 

Not Every Delegate Signed It

It may come as a bit of a surprise that not all founding fathers signed the Constitution. Some were unable to attend during its signing, including Thomas Jefferson, who was serving as the Minister to France in Paris at the time, and John Adams, who was serving as Minister to Great Britain. Three of the delegates refused to sign it because there was no bill of rights that added protections for ordinary citizens in the new country. These were George Mason of Virginia, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, and Edmund Randolph of Virginia. Others such as Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock—whose signature was such a standout on the Declaration of Independence—simply did not attend. When Henry was asked why he declined to attend the convention, he supposedly said, "I smelt a rat."

The First Amendment Was Originally The Third

The First Amendment – which protects our freedom of speech, religious expression, the press, and the right to peaceful assembly – was originally the Third Amendment. At the drafting of the Bill of Rights, 19 amendments were proposed by James Madison. But the first two were not ratified immediately. As such, what has initially considered the Third Amendment became the First. The second amendment regulated Congressional compensation. That amendment was not ratified for another 203 years: Originally the second, it became the 27th amendment.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About the Battle of Okinawa

On June 22, 1945, the World War II battle for Okinawa ended after about 81 long, harrowing days of fighting for control of the island. Here are five interesting facts you didn't know about the last major battle of World War II...

It Was the Pacific Theater’s Biggest Amphibious Assault

The initial invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945, was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. More than 60,000 soldiers and US Marines of the US Tenth Army stormed ashore at Okinawa. Possession of Okinawa would give the United States a base large enough for an invasion of mainland Japan. There were more than 100,000 Japanese defenders on the island, but most were deeply entrenched in the island’s densely forested interior. The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was vital to the Japanese because of its proximity to mainland Japan, and conquering this island was essential for America.

Japanese Middle School Students "Volunteered" As Soldiers

The Imperial Japanese Army mobilized 1,780 middle school boys aged 14–17 years into front-line service. This mobilization was conducted by an ordinance of the Ministry of the Army. The ordinances mobilized the students as volunteer soldiers, but in reality, the military authorities ordered schools to force almost all students to "volunteer" as soldiers; sometimes they counterfeited the necessary documents. .Among the 21 male and female secondary schools that made up these student corps, 2,000 students would die on the battlefield.

Corporal Desmond Doss Was a Hero at the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge

Desmond Doss is credited with saving 75 soldiers during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific — and he did it without ever carrying a weapon. The battle at Hacksaw Ridge, on the island of Okinawa, was a close combat fight with heavy weaponry. All Americans who fought in the Battle of Okinawa were heroic, but one soldier at the escarpment stood out—Corporal Desmond T. Doss. He was a pacifist and army medic who refused to carry or use a weapon or firearm of any kind. He remained on the after his commanding officers ordered a retreat. Surrounded by enemy soldiers, he went alone into the battle fray and rescued 75 of his wounded comrades. His heroic story was brought to life on the big screen in 2016 in the film Hacksaw Ridge and he was decorated with a Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Okinawa.

Kamikaze Pilots Caused Many Casualties

Suicide pilots, called kamikazes by the Japanese, were well-trained and prepared to die for their country. Although American sailors attempted to shoot down their planes, it was difficult when the Japanese flyers were bent on suicide to cause the most damage possible, at times flying at 500 mph into the Allied ships below. By the end of the campaign, Japan would launch almost 2,000 suicide attacks. Of the 36 Allied ships lost, most were destroyed by the Japanese pilots who gave up their lives in kamikaze missions.

The Death Toll on Both Sides Was Massive

The Battle of Okinawa resulted in huge losses, including 12,520 fatalities and more than 49,000 casualties on the American side. Among the dead was the Tenth Army’s commander, Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., killed on June 18 by a sniper during the final offensive. He was the highest-ranking American general killed in action during World War II. About 90,000 Japanese combatants died in the fighting, but deaths among Okinawan civilians may have reached 150,000.

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5 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Batman

On June 23, 1989, Tim Burton’s spin on the well-known story of the DC Comics hero Batman was released in theaters. It was the first installment of Warner Bros.' initial Batman film series and starred Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Here are 5 surprising bat-facts you didn't know about The Caped Crusader.

Hollywood's Biggest Stars Were Considered For The Title Role

Tim Burton lobbied hard to cast Michael Keaton in the 1989 movie. Keaton was best known at the time as a comedic actor and didn’t exactly look the part. Michael Keaton’s casting was initially a source of controversy, resulting in Batman fans writing 50,000 letters to Warner Bros. protesting the decision. Other actors considered to play Batman included: Alec Baldwin, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Charlie Sheen, Pierce Brosnan, Tom Selleck, and Bill Murray. Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Murphy, and Marlon Wayans were initially considered to play Robin.

Batman Was Originally A Blonde

Bob Kane's original idea for The Batman's costume was drastically different as it appears today. Batman started off with blonde hair, a red jumpsuit, and a domino mask which only covered his eyes. There was also no sign or logo on his chest. The only thing that made this version of the hero feel like Batman was his cape. It was far from the iconic hero we know and love today. 

Bruce Wayne's Name Comes From Two Real Heroes

Bob Kane has long been named as the sole creator of Batman and while he was the originator, another man had a very large role in the character’s formation. Bill Finger was the man who nixed the colorful bat look, suggested Batman wear a full head cover rather than just a mask and his cape should be jagged to resemble wings. Finger also apparently came up with the name Bruce Wayne. The name is a mashup of Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce and “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a hero of the American Revolution.

Fans Voted To Kill Off Robin

The Boy Wonder was initially only supposed to appear in one issue of the comic book because the editor didn’t like the idea of a kid fighting gangsters and “Batman was doing well enough by himself.” The issue with Robin however sold double so the youngster was made a regular part of the series as a result. Decades later, comic book fans were allowed to vote whether Robin would live or die in the four-issue arc,”A Death in the Family.” Fans decided they'd had enough of Robin and in 1988 they voted for the Boy Wonder to be killed off.

There Is a City In Turkey Called Batman

While many fans would love to live in a city called Batman, the mayor of Batman, Huseyin Kalkan, was not pleased by the connection. After the release of The Dark Knight he tried to sue Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan for using the city’s name in his films apparently stating, “There is only one Batman in the world.”  Ironically,  the city—formerly known as Iluha—was not called “Batman” until 1957, 18 years after the comics debuted.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Custer And His Last Stand

On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry died at the hands of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors at the Battle of Little Big Horn in Montana. To mark the anniversary of this battle here are five things you didn’t know about Custer and his last stand.

He Was Killed At Little Bighorn Only 15 Years After Leaving West Point

Custer grossly miscalculated the strength and abilities of the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors before the battle occurred on June 25. Bloody Knife, his scout, told him the Seventh Cavalry didn’t have enough bullets to fight the massed crowd of natives. Custer didn’t listen, and surprise probably overtook him when he saw all the warriors riding toward him and his troops in his final battle. Around 200 soldiers died at the hands of the Native Americans on the day of the Little Bighorn battle. Among them was Henry Reed, an 18-year-old nephew of Custer, and James Calhoun, his brother-in-law. Custer’s two younger brothers, Thomas and Boston, died as well. Thomas was a recipient of the Medal of Honor twice and was a veteran of the Civil War.

He Graduated Last In His Class At West Point

Custer placed last in his graduating class at West Point. Fellow cadets attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point referred to him as a “dare-devil” and someone who spent more energy playing pranks than studying. Custer’s voluminous record of demerits earned him extra guard duty on most Saturdays, but he did manage to graduate from West Point in 1861, albeit as the lowest-ranking cadet, now known as “the goat.”

Custer Became a Civil War General In The Union Army at 23

Although Custer struggled in the classroom, he excelled on the battlefield. After joining the Army of the Potomac’s cavalry following his graduation, he gained notice for his daring cavalry charges, bold leadership style, and tactical brilliance. In June 1863, Custer was promoted to the rank of brigadier general at the age of 23, and he cemented his reputation as the “Boy General” days later at the Battle of Gettysburg when he repelled a pivotal Confederate assault led by J.E.B. Stuart. By the end of the Civil War, Custer had risen to the rank of major general.

His Wife Received The Civil War Surrender Table As a Gift

When Robert E. Lee, the Confederate General, surrendered to General U.S. Grant, the terms were signed on a small table. General Philip Sheridan purchased the table and presented it to Custer's wife, Libbie, as a token of his appreciation for her husband's service. “Permit me to say, Madam,” Sheridan wrote to Libbie, “that there is scarcely an individual in our service who has contributed more to bring about this desirable result than your gallant husband.” After Libbie’s death in 1933, her will stipulated that the table be donated to the Smithsonian Institution.

Ronald Reagan Played Custer On The Big Screen

In 1940, Santa Fe Trail opened at the box office with Ronald Reagan starring in the role of General Custer. Historically, the movie was wildly inaccurate, starring swashbuckler Errol Flynn as J.E.B. Stewart, as they hunted the abolitionist John Brown in pre-Civil War Kansas. A year later, Flynn played Custer himself in the highly mythologized biopic “They Died With Their Boots On.”

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5 Fascinating Facts To Know About Apple's iPhone_3

The first Apple iPhone was released on June 29, 2007. Nobody, including Apple, could have predicted how the iPhone would forever revolutionize the way we think about phones. Here are five fascinating facts about the phone that captured the nation's attention.

The First iPhone Was Not Made By Apple

Apple registered the iphone.org web address in December 1999. But even that wasn’t early enough. Cisco had been using the name “iPhone” since 1998. Not long after Apple’s iPhone was announced, Cisco sued Apple for calling its product the iPhone. It turns out that "iPhone" was already a Cisco trademark. The Cisco “iPhone” was a VoIP mobile device that was launched several weeks before Apple’s iPhone was announced. Both companies ended up retaining the rights to the name and settled the trademark lawsuit.

The Time In iPhone Advertisements Is Always 9:41 or 9:42

If you pay close attention, you will find that all iPhone advertisements show the device at a time set to 9:41. This is no coincidence. The reason? Apple events start at 9 a.m Former Apple executive Scott Forstall once explained, "We design the product launch keynotes so that the big reveal of the product happens around 40 minutes into the presentation. When the big image of the product appears on screen, we want the time shown to be close to the actual time on the audience's watches. But we know we won't hit 40 minutes exactly." As a point of interest, the default display times on iPhones used to be 9:42. 

Apple Predicted Siri With Almost Scary Accuracy

Siri was the big selling point of 2011’s iPhone 4s. The smartphone was unveiled by Apple in October 2011, one day before the death of Steve Jobs. But what’s most amazing about Siri is how accurately Apple predicted the feature. In the 1980s, then-Apple CEO John Sculley came up with a concept for a Siri-style virtual assistant called the Knowledge Navigator. Apple even made a video to demonstrate how it would function. In the video, set in the future, a professor asks his AI assistant for a paper written five years ago in 2006. Meanwhile, a calendar on his desk indicates the date to be September 16. Put those two numbers together and you get a predicted date of September 16, 2011; which is only two weeks off from the predicted date that was made 24 years in the past.    

Apple Designed a Landline Phone In 1983

In 1983, Apple designed an all-white landline phone. The phone featured a stylus to interact with the built-in screen, and one of the pictures shows off some sort of accounting and check-writing application; possibly using a modem to pay bills.  Of course, it looked nothing like the iPhone we’ve come to know and love, but that’s when the idea was first hatched. Unfortunately, the phone never saw the light of day, but it’s an interesting footnote in Apple’s history with connected phones.

The iPad Predated The iPhone

The iPad predated the iPhone, at least inside Apple. In the 1990s, Steve Jobs wanted Apple to create a device that mimicked a computer for a fraction of the price. To sell the device for just a few hundred dollars and still make a profit, the company would need to eliminate certain features, including keyboards. This led Apple to come up with the first iPad prototypes. However, Apple paused the development of the tablet to focus on building a phone. A few years after the iPhone, the iPad arrived. Everyone thought of it as a big iPhone. In fact, the iPhone was a small iPad that made calls.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The 1908 Tunguska Event

On this day in 1908, the largest asteroid in recorded history exploded above Tunguska in Siberia, Russia.  We now observe Asteroid Day each year on June 30, on the anniversary of what’s now known as the Tunguska explosion. Here are 5 things you didn't know about this famous explosion.

The Explosion Was The Largest In Recorded History

When the blast occurred, witnesses claimed to see something of a fireball or a bluish light moving across the sky. It was almost as bright as the sun and was followed by a flash and a sound that mimicked artillery fire. The incredible sight was accompanied by a powerful shockwave that shattered windows for hundreds of miles and knocked people off their feet. 

No Crater Was Ever Found

A mysterious aspect of the Tunguska event was that no crater was ever found. But, even without a crater, scientists still categorized it as an impact event. They now believe the incoming object never struck Earth, but instead exploded in the atmosphere, causing what’s known as an airburst. This type of atmospheric explosion was still enough to cause massive damage to the forest in the region. Scientists determined the object was most likely a stony asteroid approximately the size of a 25-story building. The asteroid was traveling at a speed of about 33,500 miles per hour and exploded 3 to 6 miles above Earth’s surface. 

Decades Passed Before Anyone Could Explain The Event

Due to the size and speed of the asteroid, the explosion released so much energy that an estimated 80 million trees destroyed, and reindeer were killed for miles around the blast site. At the time of the explosion, it was difficult for anyone to reach that remote part of Siberia. It wasn't until almost 20 years later that Leonid Kulik sled the first Soviet research expedition to investigate the Tunguska event. 

The Cause Of The Event Is Believed To Be From An Asteroid

Scientists and researchers came up with all sorts of hypotheses regarding what sparked the Tunguska explosion throughout the years.  Some theories were very colorful, such as the notion that the Earth was encountered by an alien spacecraft or that a mini-black-hole or a particle of antimatter was the culprit. It is now more widely accepted that the blast was likely the result of a stony asteroid that collided with the Earth's atmosphere. 

Two Upcoming Missions Are Planned To Travel To Asteroids

Tunguska was the largest cosmic impact witnessed by modern humans. It's also representative of the type of impact we'll have to guard against in the future. Following the Tunguska incident, astronomers have been paying increased attention to the likelihood of cataclysmic comet impacts  Today, "Near-Earth Objects." observation programs are in place to keep an eye out for objects that appear to be nearing the Earth's atmosphere.  Scientists are currently laying the groundwork for two separate missions to the asteroids Didymos and Didymos. The Hera mission of the European Space Agency is scheduled to launch in 2024. DART is a NASA project that will launch at the end of this year. The DART mission will collide with Didymos' small moonlet in order to explore how we can nudge an object in space and modify its course, a task we may have to face in the future if a dangerous object is heading for Earth. The Hera expedition will travel to Didymos to study DART's impact.

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5 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Walmart

On July 2, 1962, the first Walmart store (called Wal-Mart Discount City) was opened in Rogers, Arkansas, by Sam Walton and his brother, James. Here are 5 things you never knew about the world’s largest private employer...

Walmart Is The Largest Private Employer In The World

Walmart has the largest privately-employed workforce in the world with about 2.3 million employees. By extension, the firm is also the world’s biggest family-owned business. Walmart’s widespread global presence comes with some of the biggest overall profits of any retailer today. They make close to half of a trillion dollars a year and own approximately 11,700 stores operating under 59 different names in 28 different countries. For example, Walmart operates as Best Price in India, Asda in the United Kingdom, and Seiyu Group in Japan.

J.C. Penney’s Loss Was Walmart’s Gain

Walmart was founded by Sam Walton, who was almost fired from his retail job at J.C. Penney. According to Entrepreneur, while Walton was just a sales trainee at a J.C. Penney in Des Moines, Iowa, "he hated to make customers wait while he fussed with paperwork, so his books were a mess. His boss even threatened to fire him, saying he was not cut out for retail work." Ouch! Walton proved his old J.C. Penney boss wrong when he started his own discount store which became Walmart.

The Graphic At The End Of The Logo Is a "Spark"

Some of us remember the days when the logo was a star planted smack in the middle of the "Wal" and the "Mart," but, since 2008, the company's symbol has been a cheery burst. It turns out, that's a "spark," not a flower. "It’s a symbol of the spark of inspiration Sam Walton had when he opened his very first store," the company said in a release. "It’s a symbol of all of the great ideas that have helped to develop our company over the years. And it’s a symbol of the inspiration that’s inside all of us."

Sam Walton’s Daughter Is The Third Richest Woman In The World

Alice Walton is the only daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton and one fof the three living heirs to the company founded by her father. With a net worth of $62 billion according to Forbes, Alice Walton is the third richest woman in the world. Much of Alice Walton’s wealth comes from her shares in Wal-Mart. Alice and her brothers own more than a 50% stake in Wal-Mart and receive substantial dividends from the company. Incidentally, the Waltons are also the richest family in the world. The Walton’s combined income from Wal-Mart is that of 42% of combined lower-income American families.

The Best Selling Item in Walmart May Surprise You

If people responded to the question, “What sells the best at Walmart?” their answer probably wouldn’t be bananas. However, that is exactly what the top-selling item at Walmart has been for years. The company sells about 1 billion pounds of bananas annually around the world, which works out to about 32 pounds of bananas every second of the day - that’s a lot of bananas.

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5 Fascinating Facts About Independence Day_2

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies were declared free of British rule by the Second Continental Congress with the passage of the Declaration of Independence. Here are 5 things you didn't know about Independence Day...

Congress Didn't Actually Vote For Independence On July 4

It is widely believed that America’s first Continental Congress declared its independence from the British monarchy on July 4th, 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before on July 2nd.  In a letter that John Adams wrote on July 3, 1777, to Abigail, his wife, he predicted that “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.”   Adams famously insisted the annual celebration of independence be held July 2, not July 4, and refused to attend any events on July 4.

Most Delegates Didn’t Sign The Declaration of Independence Until August

It is often believed that everyone signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, a moment that’s often portrayed in popular paintings. However, it took an entire month to get all 56 delegates together to put their “John Hancock” on the document. Historians disagree on the precise order of the signing, but it seems most signatories didn’t put their names on the document until August 2. In fact, the only person believed to sign the document on July 4th was also its first signer: John Hancock.

"The Pursuit of Property"?

Arguably the most famous line in the Declaration of Independence is the second sentence of the preamble, which begins, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But as originally drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the pursuit was not of happiness, but of “Property.” As the story goes, Benjamin Franklin convinced Jefferson to make the change because “property” was too “narrow” a notion.

Americans Eat More Hot Dogs on July 4 Than Any Other Day

Hot dogs are a popular item on the 4th of July menu, and Americans eat around 150 million of them to celebrate America’s independence. That’s enough hot dogs to lay end to end from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. around five times. Nathan’s holds their annual contest to see who can eat the most hot dogs on July 4, and Joey Chestnut, a California competitive eater, who downed 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes, won the competition in 2020.

July 4 Is The Biggest Day Of The Year For Fatal Car Accidents

It's a good idea to be extra cautious while driving today. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, each Independence Day has seen an average of 118.4 persons killed in traffic accidents over the last five years, making it the most deadly day of the year. The Fourth of July was exceptionally dangerous for motorcyclists, with an average of 25.8 deaths reported, more than double the daily national average of 12.1 deaths.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Peanuts_4

On October 2, 1950, the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schulz premiered in 9 newspapers. Here are five things you didn't know about one of the most popular and influential comic strips of all time... 

Schulz Didn’t Choose the Comic Strip’s Name

Schulz had originally named his comic strip starring Charlie Brown as “Li’l Folks,” but when he checked into having it syndicated in 1950, the people who ran it didn’t like that name because there were several others that were similar.  So, they changed the name to “Peanuts.” Schulz never approved of the name because he thought it sounded insignificant. Even after the comic strip became a huge success, Schulz said he wanted the cartoon to be called “Good Old Charlie Brown.”

Schulz Was Very Particular About The Pens He Used To Create His Comic Strip

The Peanuts strips were drawn on Strathmore 3-ply paper with India ink. For lettering, Schulz used a Speedball C-5 pen and for drawing the strip he used an Esterbrook 914 radio pen. When Schulz learned that the company that manufactured the nibs for this pen was going out of business, he purchased their entire inventory of nibs.

A Trombone Was Used For Charlie Brown’s Teachers’ Voice

Charlie Brown and his friends are the focus of the original comic strips, with teachers and other adults consigned to the background. When the popular comic was turned into an animated series, however, producers understood they'd have to figure out a method to give adults a "voice" while also honoring Schulz's wishes to keep adults out of the main picture. Composer Vince Guaraldi, who scored all of the early classics including A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, came up with the solution: Use a trombone with a mute in the bell to stand in for any adult dialogue. The result was what’s now widely referred to as the “wah-wah” voice.

Charlie Brown’s Dad Is A Barber, Just Like Schulz’s Dad

Although adults only play a small role in the Peanuts universe, Charlie Brown's parents are two characters who are given the faintest hint of personality in the comic strip. And by personalities, we mean job descriptions. Charlie Brown's mother is a homemaker (and one of the few characters that refers to him as "Charlie"), and his father, like Schulz's father in real life, is a barber. Although Charlie Brown's father does not appear in the comic strip, he is frequently mentioned.

Charlie Brown Didn’t Always Wear His Trademark Zigzag Shirt

According to the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Charlie Brown went just over two months without wearing his now-famous yellow zigzag shirt. Peanuts launched on October 2, 1950, but Charlie’s recognizable attire didn’t appear until December 21, 1950. Before that, the black-and-white comic just clothed him in black shorts and a white t-shirt.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About "Leave It to Beaver"_2

On October 4, 1957, "Leave It to Beaver" premiered on CBS starring Jerry Mathers as the Beaver. Here are five fascinating facts about the show that will make you say, "Golly!"

It Was Canceled After Its First Season

Despite its legendary status, Leave It to Beaver was not a smash hit at the time. After the first season ended in 1958, CBS canceled the series. Fortunately, ABC came in and rescued the show. It would air on ABC for its remaining five seasons.

“Leave It to Beaver” Wasn’t The Original Title

The series pilot was originally titled “It’s a Small World” and aired as an installment of the anthology series Heinz Studio 57. Before the new title was chosen, “Wally and the Beaver” was considered, but the show’s sponsor thought it might be mistaken for a nature program.

A Growth Spurt Led To a New Wally

Paul Sullivan originally portrayed Wally in the pilot. He was replaced by Tony Dow when a growth spurt made Sullivan too tall to play the role. Dow wasn’t auditioning when he was chosen to play Wally Cleaver and remained on the show for six years. It was a lucky break because he had just been accompanying a friend who was trying out for the part.

Jerry Mathers Appeared on “I Love Lucy”

Mathers played Little Ricky when he sat on Lucy’s lap in the episode titled “Ricky’s Old Girlfriend” during season three of “I Love Lucy.” During the scene, Lucy was dreaming her husband had deserted her for Carlota Romero, an old girlfriend, and she and her small son were begging for money in the street. The episode appeared in 1953, which was four years before “Leave It to Beaver” debuted. 

It Was The First TV Show To Show a Toilet

It was just the tank, but the appearance of a toilet onscreen was a TV first. The boys were often in the bathroom off their bedroom. In this case, in the episode "Captain Jack," Wally puts an alligator in the toilet tank after he and Beaver order one through the mail. This episode was intended as the premiere of the show but aired the second week. 

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Saturday Night Live_5

On October 11, 1975, Chevy Chase belted out the very first "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" and kicked off one of the most iconic TV shows in American history.  Here are five things you didn't know about Saturday Night Live...

Jim Carrey Had Two Failed Attempts At Becoming A Cast Member

Despite being one of today's most famous comedians, Jim Carrey auditioned for "SNL" twice and was denied both times. "I wasn't at the Jim Carrey audition," Lorne Michaels explained, "but somebody who was there said, 'I don't think Lorne would like it,' and they were probably wrong, but it doesn't matter. Or maybe they were right — who knows? No one gets it all right."The actor has, however, had a few guest-hosting gigs since then.

Kenan Thompson Is The Show's Longest-Running Cast Member

Kenan Thompson was born May 10, 1978, making him the first "SNL" cast member who was born after the show premiered. The comedic actor has been performing on the show since 2003, and in 2018, after 15 seasons, he officially became the longest-running cast member.

Richard Belzer Warmed Up The SNL Audience During Season One

Richard Belzer began his career as a stand-up comedian before becoming the series-jumping Sergeant John Munch of the Law & Order franchise. In the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, Belzer served as the show's warm-up comic, which led to a few performances on the show, including a stint at the "Weekend Update" desk after Chevy Chase sustained a groin injury. Belzer has long claimed that Lorne Michaels promised him a role in the show but then failed to deliver. In 1993, Belzer told People Magazine, "Lorne betrayed me and lied to me—which he denies—but I give you my word, he said, 'I'll work you into the show.'"

Fox News Once Used a Photo of Tina Fey on a Story About Sarah Palin

Not a joke—in June 2011, The Atlantic pointed out that Fox News used a photo of Tina Fey dressed as Sarah Palin during an SNL sketch on a story about Palin. Management at Fox was understandably unhappy, especially because this wasn't the first time people there had made that mistake. The network adopted a zero-tolerance policy for on-air mistakes.

Darrell Hammond Has Said The Show's Opening Line The Most

Darrell Hammond holds the record at SNL by saying the “Live from New York” catchphrase 70 times. He also held the record for the longest consecutive tenure of any SNL cast member in the show's history (14 seasons), until he was surpassed by Kenan Thompson in 2017. Hammond was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2009, and was popular for his many impressions. His impression of President Bill Clinton is currently the most frequent SNL impression of all time, appearing in 87 sketches over 14 years in the cast and numerous cameos.

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6 Things You Didn't Know About The White House_3

On this day in 1792, the cornerstone of what is now known as the White House was laid in the nation’s new capital city of Washington, D.C. In honor of the anniversary of this momentous event, here are 6 interesting facts about the White House. that you probably didn't know.

It Didn't Always Have an Official Name

The term "White House" first appeared in newspapers before the War of 1812, according to the White House Historical Association.  But it was President Theodore Roosevelt, who, in 1901, designated the official name of the residence of the U.S. president to be the White House. (Previous names included the Presidents' House, the Executive Mansion, the Presidential Palace, and the Presidential Mansion.) It's also known as "The People's House."

It Isn't The Original White House

The British burned down the White House during an invasion in 1814.  Only 14 years after the original construction was finished, the same architect, James Hoban, was tasked with rebuilding. The White House 2.0 was completed in 1817, though Hoban would return on occasion in the following years to add porticos to the north and south sides.

The White House Didn't Have Electricity for Nearly a Century

The White House was entirely lit by gas lights until 1891, when electricity was first installed. And as electric lighting was still a relatively new concept, the current president at that time, Benjamin Harrison, was skeptical of the dangers and worried he would be shocked if he touched a light switch. His solution? He never once touched one himself.

Room Is Free, But Board Is Not

Though it comes with a few perks like living in the White House, traveling in Air Force One, and the $400,000 annual salary — not everything is included as part of the job. Though the White House comes with its own chef, presidents and their families must pay for their own food. In fact, the presidents is also responsible for paying their own dry cleaning, hair and makeup, and all private events (and the wages for those working the private events). As such, many presidents have left the White House in serious debt.

It's Been Home To Many Animals

The White House has seen its fair share of cats and dogs, but it's also housed a number of more unusual pets. When the Coolidge's were sent a raccoon to cook for Thanksgiving dinner, they opted instead to keep it as a pet, naming her Rebecca. President Harrison kept two opossums named Mr. Protection and Mr. Reciprocity. The craziest pets, though, were a pair of tiger cubs gifted to President Van Buren.

The White House Has Been Home to Several Deaths

Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor both died in the White House. Three First Ladies—Letitia Tyler, Caroline Harrison, and Ellen Wilson—passed away there, too. To date, ten people have died within the confines of the White House.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About I Love Lucy_7

On October 15, 1951, I Love Lucy premiered on television, and after its run, it remained one of the most popular reruns in television history. To mark this landmark event in TV history, here are 5 lesser-know facts you surely didn't know about one of the greatest sitcoms of all time...  

There Is a National I Love Lucy Day

October 15 is I Love Lucy Day. The unofficial holiday commemorates the day in 1951, when the show, starring real-life couple at that time, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, debuted on CBS. The holiday is held just for fun and to commemorate the show. I Love Lucy is the only show in television history that has never stopped broadcasting since airing its first episode in 1951. Reruns of the show have been popular around the world ever since the show ended on May 6, 1957.

It All Started With A Radio Program

In 1948, CBS went to Lucille Ball in hopes to turn her popular radio show called "My Favorite Husband" into a television program. While the radio version originally featured Richard Denning as Lucy's husband, she told the network she'd agree only if her real-life husband (Desi Arnaz) was cast in the role. Originally, the network had their doubts, but ultimately they agreed (and we bet they're glad they did!).

A Ghost Told Lucille Ball to Take The Job

Prior to I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball was working in the movies. When she was offered the job, she was initially reluctant because she was concerned about the transition to television.  She needed some encouragement, which came in the form of a dream in which she saw her old friend Carole Lombard, who had died in a plane crash in 1942. In the dream, Lombard told her to go for it -- why not?? Ball said that was the moment when she knew she was making the right decision.

ps:Right!!!

Smoking On Camera Was a Necessity

I Love Lucy almost didn’t make it onto television because CBS had problems finding a sponsor for the series. At the last minute, the tobacco giant Philip Morris was secured as a sponsor for the show. The conditions of this were that the characters were seen smoking the Philip Morris brand of cigarettes and the name Philip Morris would be worked into the script as often as possible. Therefore, smoking was a necessity for the show to retain its sponsor.  Lucille Ball was a smoker, but she preferred Chesterfield cigarettes. In an effort to overcome this hurdle, Ball would have a stagehand that would empty packs of Philip Morris cigarettes and fill the package with Chesterfield cigarettes.

Vivian Vance Was Told to Keep Her Weight Up

There is a well-known tale about Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance that says Ball did not want to be upstaged by a co-star and that she purposefully had Vance's character of Ethel decked out in drab garb. Vivian Vance even claimed that she had a contract that stated that she must always weigh more than Lucille Ball. If Lucille ever put on weight, then Vivian would have to do the same. Although it was never confirmed that this was true, both Vivian and Lucille would often bring this up on talk shows and laugh about the situation. The two woman remained friends even after their time on the show ended.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About The Statue of Liberty_2

On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, France's gift of friendship to the American people, in New York Harbor. To mark the anniversary of one of America's most recognizable landmarks, here are 5 fun facts you didn't know about the Statue of Liberty...

The Statue Was Originally Designed To Stand In Egypt

The Statue of Liberty was the idea of sculptor Frederic Bartholdi. He was inspired to create Lady Liberty after seeing the colossal statues in Luxor and intended for her to stand in Egypt. Bartholdi envisioned a colossal monument featuring a robe-clad woman representing Egypt to stand at Port Said, the city at the northern terminus of the canal in Egypt. Early models of the statue were called “Egypt Carrying the Light to Asia.” Egypt rejected the plan as too costly. Bartholdi eventually repurposed his concept into “Liberty Enlightening the World”—the official name for the statue that has been overlooking New York Harbor since 1886.

The Statue Was Modeled After An Actual Person

It may come as a surprise to most people that Lady Liberty was modeled on a real person. Mental Floss points out that she was actually modeled on the mother of Frederic Bartholdi, the designer of the statue. Not to be neglected, Bartholdi’s wife posed for the arms and torso. The designer told French Senator Jules Bozerian that the statue was based on his mother, Charlotte, back in 1876. He invited the Senator into his box at the opera, where there was a pocket-sized version of the statue waiting for him. It was here that he revealed the inspiration behind the statue.

Thomas Edison Had Plans To Make The Statue Talk

When Thomas Edison introduced the phonograph to the public in 1878, he told the newspapers that he was designing a “monster disc” for the interior of the Statue of Liberty that would allow the statue to deliver speeches that could be heard up to the northern part of Manhattan and across the bay.

She Wasn’t Always Green

The green hue of the Statue of Liberty is what makes her so instantly recognizable around the world. Interestingly, the statue wasn’t always green. Originally, she was actually a reddish color, similar to the color of a penny . So how did she get so green?  Over the years, the copper coating has formed a green veneer from its exposure to the air. The torch flame is the one exception because it is coated with gold leaf.

The Statue Almost Didn’t Make It To America

It really is hard to imagine New York without Lady Liberty, which is one of its most iconic landmarks. That may have been the reality if the statue never made it to America, which was once a very real possibility. The statue was packed into 214 crates and shipped to the United States as a precious gift from France in 1885. The voyage took a full week longer than expected because of a storm that nearly caused the ship to sink.

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5 Things You Didn't Know About Thanksgiving_3

Happy Thanksgiving, folks! Although Thanksgiving will be a little different for many of us this year, today is still a day to give thanks! So grab a drumstick, and enjoy these 5 tasty Thanksgiving tidbits… 

The Original Thanksgiving Lasted for Three Days

When the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians celebrated the first Thanksgiving in November 1621, they spent three glorious days feasting on venison, goose, duck, oysters, fish, and eel with cranberries and pumpkin -- but no turkey. Only five women are believed to have been present at the celebration among the 50 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. Originally, the Pilgrims intended to make it a day of prayer and fasting, but the arrival of the natives changed all that.

Thomas Jefferson Canceled Thanksgiving During His Presidency

George Washington was the first to declare Thanksgiving a holiday, but it was on a year-to-year basis, so presidents had to re-declare it every year, according to The Washington Post. Thomas Jefferson was so adamantly against Thanksgiving that he refused to declare it a holiday during his presidency, and many say that he called the holiday "the most ridiculous idea ever conceived." Most historians agree that Jefferson really refused to declare the holiday because he believed in the separation of church and state, and thought that the day of "prayer" violated the First Amendment. It wasn’t until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday, that it was officially scheduled to fall on the fourth Thursday of every November. 

The Origin of Turkey Pardons Is Fuzzy

The White House has a tradition of pardoning one lucky turkey each year. No one actually knows when U.S. presidents began offering their turkeys a presidential pardon. The annual tradition is believed to have begun in 1947 with President Harry Truman. However some historians believe that it actually started in the 1860s with Abraham Lincoln after his son Tad begged him to spare his pet turkey's life. Despite these two theories of the origins of the pardon, George H. W. Bush was the first president to officially grant a turkey a presidential pardon, according to The New York Times. 

Macy’s First Parade on Thanksgiving Day Featured Live Animals

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York took place in 1914 when Macy’s employees dressed in vibrant costumes and marched to the flagship store on 34th Street. The parade used floats instead of balloons, and it featured monkeys, bears, camels, and elephants all borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. It was also originally called the Macy’s Christmas Parade, but was renamed the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. 

Felix The Cat Was The First Balloon Used In The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

Felix the Cat was a star of the silent film era and had a comic strip in newspapers around the nation when he made his Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 1927, the first year the event featured cartoon character balloons. Without a plan to deflate this massive balloon, NYC parade organizers simply let Felix fly off into the sky. Unfortunately, the Felix the Cat balloon got caught in some telephone wires and caught fire. In 2016, after a nearly 90-year hiatus, Felix made a triumphant return to the parade. 

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

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

Christmas Wasn’t Always Celebrated on December 25

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

You Can Thank Prince Albert For Your Christmas Tree

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

Coca-Cola Played A Part In Santa's Image

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

“Jingle Bells” Was Originally Written For Thanksgiving

"Jingle Bells” is a classic song sung at Christmas time, but it didn't start out that way. First published in 1857, it was written by James Lord Pierpont, to celebrate Thanksgiving — not Christmas. Pierpont wrote a song called "One Horse Open Sleigh” for a children's Thanksgiving play. When the song was reissued two years later, it had the more familiar title of “Jingle Bells.” Although “Jingle Bells” is now a Yuletide staple, there is no mention of Christmas anywhere in the song. The holiday ditty became associated with Christmas decades later.

President Theodore Roosevelt Banned Christmas Trees At The White House

President Theodore Roosevelt, an avid outdoorsman, and environmentalist banned Christmas trees from the White House during his presidency. The president feared that real Christmas trees would lead to deforestation. Roosevelt refused to display a Christmas tree in the White House, fearing that to do so would be sending the wrong message to the public. Roosevelt's action was intended to inspire Americans to just say no to Christmas trees. But Roosevelt’s son, Archie, didn’t share his ecological principles. He dragged in a small tree and hid it, fully decorated, in a closet.

Many Iconic Christmas Songs Were Written By Jewish People

Check out pretty much any list of the most iconic Christmas songs and about half of them were written by Jewish people. Johnny Marks may be the most prolific, he wrote "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "A Holly Jolly Christmas." In addition to the songs listed above, you can also credit Jewish songwriters with "Silver Bells," "White Christmas," "Let It Snow," "Santa Baby," "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" and plenty more. So how do you explain this religious contradiction? According to Emmy Winner Michael Feinstein, "The Christmas songs that are popular are not about Jesus, but they're about sleigh bells and Santa and the trappings of Christmas." In other words, Christmas songs are really just about winter and family and being "Home for the Holidays." (Also written by a Jewish person).

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5 Shocking Facts You Didn't Know About D-Day_4

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…

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. 

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.

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.)

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10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Kobe Bryant

Three years ago today, five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bean Bryant, along with eight others, fell victim to a helicopter crash in Southern California. Here are ten facts about Kobe Bryant that you may not know on the anniversary of his tragic death.

#1: He was Named After a Japanese Delicacy

Choosing baby names is a daunting decision for many. Pam and Joe Bryant, however, had little hesitation naming their youngest son after a Japanese delicacy—Kobe beef. Known for its flavor, marbling, and buttery, smooth texture, Kobe beef was a staple at Pam and Joe’s favorite restaurant. Kobe Bryant also attributes his middle name, “Bean,” to his parents’ passion for food and his father’s love for jelly bean candies.

#2: He Did Not Attend College

In 1996, Kobe Bryant entered the NBA draft, hoping to become the sixth player in NBA history to skip college. Following his graduation from Lower Merion high school, Bryant chose to forgo a college education to ensure he would face Michael Jordan in the NBA with looming reports that Jordan’s retirement was on the verge. Following his retirement, Bryant said that if he had attended college, he would have chosen Duke University. Today, the NBA requires those who seek to enter the draft to attend at least one year of college. 

#3: He Sued His Parents for Selling His Own Merchandise

Yes, you read that correctly. In 2013, when Bryant’s parents were on the hunt for a lavish mansion, they decided to auction off memorabilia he gifted them. The pieces included high school jerseys and even his prized NBA championship ring from 2000. Bryant grew furious and even pursued legal action against his parents, igniting a long feud that ultimately severed their relationship for a great period of time. In fact, Bryant’s parents were a no-show at his wedding.

#4: Kobe Spent Nearly a Decade Living in Italy

Despite being born in Philadelphia, PA, Bryant spent a significant portion of his childhood in Tuscany, Italy. From ages six to thirteen, Bryant and his family moved abroad to Italy. By the time he moved back to the U.S. for high school, he was fluent in Italian. 

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

Throughout his career, Bryant won five NBA championships, was elected to 18 All-Star games and won two Slam Dunk Contest titles. Yet perhaps his most prestigious accolade is being history’s only player to have two jersey numbers retired by the same team. On the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe wore both #8 and #24. Shortly after his retirement, the Lakers franchise chose to retire both numbers. Bryant stands alone on this accomplishment. 

#6: Basketball is in His Blood

It was no surprise that Kobe Bryant turned out to be one of the NBA’s all-time premier players. Bryant came from a family full of professional basketball players. Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant, was picked 14th overall by the Golden State Warriors and went on to lead a 16-year career. His uncle, too, played professionally.

#7: Bryant is The Youngest Starter in All-Star Game History

In 1999, Bryant was nominated to serve as a starter in his first NBA All-Star game—a rare occurrence for a rookie. Not only was Bryant a rookie, but he also was and currently remains the youngest player to achieve such an accomplishment in history. He went on to play in 17 more NBA All-Star games in his career. 

#8: He Founded His Own Venture Capital Firm

In 2013, Bryant joined forces with successful entrepreneur Jeff Stibel to form his own venture capital firm—Bryant Stibel Capital. The duo invested heavily in LegalZoom and Body Armor, recognizing returns more than 333% on these two investments alone. Within six years, the fund had grown to $2 billion.

#9: He Was Initially Drafted to The Charlotte Hornets

Most associate Bryant’s legacy with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, few know that Kobe was initially drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Bryant had different intentions, though. He expressed no desire to play in Charlotte, forcing the Hornets’ front office to cut their losses and move on. In fact, Kobe never played in a single game for the Hornets. 

#10: He Scored 60 Points in His Final Game

On April 13, 2016, a 37-year old Kobe Bryant scored a whopping 60 points in the final game of his career. Bryant attempted 50 total shots against the Utah Jazz, making 22 of them. He topped off the legendary performance with a signature game-winning three-point shot with 31 seconds left, carrying his team to victory.