In France and Belgium there is a folk character called “The Whipping Father” who accompanies St. Nicholas. He beats naughty children with sticks and carries them away in a bag.
Every bald Russian leader since 1825…
Every bald Russian leader since 1825 has been succeeded by a leader with a full head of hair.
If a person is connected to a high enough…
If a person is connected to a high enough voltage and is cut, blood will spray from the wound rather than flow as normal.
Supreme Court found random drug checkpoints unconstitutional…
Supreme Court found random drug checkpoints unconstitutional in 2000. Since then, police have gotten into the habit of putting signs up warning drivers of upcoming drug checkpoints, and then detaining and searching drivers who make illegal u-turns.
A gallon of gasoline has 31,000,000…
A gallon of gasoline has 31,000,000 calories.
During the Vietnam War, American troops would eat…
During the Vietnam War, American troops would eat small amounts of C4 plastic explosive to get high.
NASCAR rose in popularity in 1979 after the first nationally…
NASCAR rose in popularity in 1979 after the first nationally televised race ended with the leaders crashing on the last lap, and then proceeding to fight in the muddied infield grass. With only 3 channels, and much of the the East Coast snowed in, it quickly became nationally known.
Many unlicensed dog sellers in China perform DIY plastic…
Many unlicensed dog sellers in China perform DIY plastic surgery on sickly runts to make them resemble expensive breeds. The dogs are given painkillers and stimulants to appear active and healthy before sale. Most die within seven days. Licensed sellers dub the unfortunate animals “week dogs.”
In an early version of Little Red Riding Hood…
In an early version of Little Red Riding Hood, the heroine is asked to strip off articles of her clothing one at a time by the wolf and then join him in bed. She then escapes by claiming she needs to go to the bathroom.
44 years ago today, 13 year-old “Genie”…
44 years ago today, 13 year-old “Genie” was discovered after 12 years of isolation by her father and had the mental capacity of a 13-month old child.