In 1944, the US federal government….

In 1944, the US federal government slapped a heavy 30% tax on all food-serving venues (such as clubs) that featured dancing, leading to the downfall of swing music and dancing in America. It would not be repealed until the 1960s (though it was reduced a few years after implementation).

In 2011, after being lost at sea for 33 days….

In 2011, after being lost at sea for 33 days, a man finally washed ashore in the Marshall Islands. He then discovered that his uncle, believed to have drowned at sea about 50 years earlier, had also wound up on the same island and started a family there.

Women used to dominate the beer industry…

Women used to dominate the beer industry but were forced out during the reformation as men spread rumors about them using witchcraft. Many brewed in secret in the woods after laws were passed prohibiting them from brewing. Much of the iconography of witches comes from this period.

For about ten years, ending in 1957…

For about ten years, ending in 1957, British television schedules had a gap from 6pm-7pm called the ‘Toddlers’ Truce’ where for an hour there was no programming so that parents could put the kiddies to bed.

The American Revolution the…

The American Revolution the -ville suffix became popular in the names of new US settlements due to an increase of pro-French sentiments. After the Marque Lafayette visited the USA in 1824, many cities , towns and counties were name after him.