Liberty, President Gerald Ford’s dog, was trained to create diversions in meetings. If Ford wanted to end a conversation in the Oval Office, he would signal Liberty and she would go to the guest wagging her tail, creating a natural break.
Mississippi Truck Driver, Robert Gray, forgot he signed himself up…
Mississippi Truck Driver, Robert Gray, forgot he signed himself up to run in his state’s Democratic gubernatorial election for governor. He would win the nomination without a website or campaign and without voting for himself.
In 2003, the US sugar industry lobbied congress to block…
In 2003, the US sugar industry lobbied congress to block a WHO report which would set guidelines for sugar intake at 10% of daily calories. Congress blocked the report by threatening to cut all WHO funding if it was released, and backed the industry’s sugar intake recommendation of 25% daily.
The African nation of Eritrea is so repressive, residents…
The African nation of Eritrea is so repressive, residents have to get a special permit to have more than 2 guests over for dinner; if they fail to do so, their dinner is considered an illegal gathering and they may be jailed.
In Classical Athens, the citizens could vote each year to banish…
In Classical Athens, the citizens could vote each year to banish any person who was growing too powerful, as a threat to democracy. This process was called Ostracism.
When US imposed sanctions against Russia’s space program the Russian…
When US imposed sanctions against Russia’s space program the Russian Deputy Prime Minister tweeted “After reviewing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest that the United States deliver their astronauts to the ISS using a trampoline.”
The largest embassy in the world is the U.S embassy in Iraq…
The largest embassy in the world is the U.S embassy in Iraq. It is nearly as large as Vatican City, employs 15,000 people, and cost $750 million to build.
Clint Eastwood once ran for mayor of a small town in California. Part of his…
Clint Eastwood once ran for mayor of a small town in California. Part of his campaign platform was overturning a ban on ice cream parlors. He won.
With the exception of 2004, the Nickelodeon specials “Kids Pick the President”…
With the exception of 2004, the Nickelodeon specials “Kids Pick the President” have correctly predicted the winner of every U.S. presidential election since 1988.
Vigo County, Indiana has voted correctly with the winner in every presidential…
Vigo County, Indiana has voted correctly with the winner in every presidential election since 1956, and in all but two since 1892.