Fact of the Day
Archive

Approximately 90% of the world’s recoverable helium is located in the ground under Amarillo, Texas. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Picasso was not just a painter—he was also a sculptor, ceramicist, stage designer, poet, playwright, and print writer. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Chionophobia is the persistent fear of snow, especially becoming trapped by snow. The term is derived from the Greek words chion and phobos, meaning “snow” and “fear,” respectively. Provided by FactRetriever.com

In 2019, a South Korean man was arrested for operating a fake lottery site. He and a group of 14 others had stolen over $41 million from over 340 individuals who had visited the site. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Islamic year is 11 days shorter than the year used in the Western world. This is because the Western year is based on the orbit of the Earth around the Sun instead of on the phases of the moon. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A grasshopper's ears are found not on its head, but rather, on its belly. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Researchers speculate that humans laughed before they could speak. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Over the past 100 years, both boys and girls have been, on average, hitting puberty two years earlier than their parents and grandparent did. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Honey is the only food that contains "pinocembrin," which is an antioxidant associated with brain functioning. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Penguins can control the blood flow to their extremities in order to reduce the amount of blood that gets cold, but not enough so that their extremities freeze. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The inland taipan is the world’s most toxic snake, meaning it has both the most toxic venom and it injects the most venom when it bites. Its venom sacs hold enough poison to kill up to 80 people. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Every day, the heart creates enough energy to drive a truck 20 miles. In a lifetime, that is equivalent to driving to the moon and back. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Finland consumes more caffeine than any other country, with the average adult consuming 400 mg each day. Following Finland are Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Scientists have identified around 10,000 different fungal species. However, they believe that as many as 5.1 million fungal species exist. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Octopuses have the largest brain of any other invertebrate. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A bristlecone pine tree nicknamed Methuselah is believed to be the oldest tree in the world. Its exact location is kept a secret to protect it from vandals and tourists. Provided by FactRetriever.com

While the Santa Maria was the official flagship, Columbus frequently complained about its clumsiness and slowness. His favorite ship was the Nina, which was swifter and smaller. Provided by FactRetriever.com

When allergic dermatitis caused by reaction to metals is severe enough, handling coins or touching a doorknob can be enough to cause blistering or scaling of the skin. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Danes have a term Janteloven (The Law of Jante), created in 1933 by a Danish/Norwegian writer. It is often quoted in public debate in Denmark and consists of “Ten Commandments,” all boiling down to “You are no better than I am.” Provided by FactRetriever.com

Robots are able to manipulate human emotions. In one experiment, when a robot begged participants not to turn it off, about 30% obeyed the robot rather than the researcher. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Both President Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev agreed that they would pause the Cold War if there was ever an alien invasion. Provided by FactRetriever.com

One in three gamers has experienced fraud while paying online games. Provided by FactRetriever.com

An illegal firework that was designed to simulate the sound of gunfire is called the M-80, or the “military rifle fire simulator.” Also sometimes called “salutes,” M-80s have caused people to lose fingers and even hands. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The current flag of Taiwan was adopted on December 17, 1928, after the unification of China. Its colors—blue, white, and red—represent nationalism, democracy, and social well-being; the Three People's Principles of Taiwan. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Peanut butter can help maintain a healthy blood sugar level since it is low in carbohydrates and can be made without added sugar. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Before the advent of Wi-Fi, the spectrum of radio frequencies used by Wi-Fi were referred to by some as “the garbage bands”—for being largely useless. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Though it is the most difficult of the visible planets to see, Mercury's existence has been known since ancient Sumerian times, roughly 5,000 years ago. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The northern hawk owl is able to hear prey as much as 12 inches under the snow. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Industrial Revolution allowed people to work longer and year-round. Labor was no longer tied to the season or natural lighting. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Berlin’s Zoologischer Garten is the largest zoo in the world both in terms of number of species (1,500) and animal population (14,000). Germany boasts more than 400 registered zoos. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A new person is added to the United States national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes—that's 144 people per day. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A group of lizards is called a "lounge." Provided by FactRetriever.com

The worst volcanic disaster of the twentieth century is considered to be the eruption of Mt. Pelée in 1902 on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean which killed 30,121 people. Only two people survived: a shoemaker living on the edge of the island and a prisoner who had been locked in a dungeon cell with thick stone walls. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Dubbed the "Marathon Man," Belgian runner Stefaan Engels ran the marathon distance every day for a year, totaling 9,569 miles (1,5401 km). Provided by FactRetriever.com

Soviet spy Colonel Oleg Penkovsky provided valuable information about the status of the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons to both the CIA and British intelligence. The KGB arrested him on October 22, 1962, in Moscow and most likely executed him shortly after. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Taiwan boasts the largest collection of Chinese art in the world. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Horses cannot breathe through their mouth, only through their nose. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Approximately 63% of youth suicides in the U.S. are kids who live in a home without a father. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Iceland uses 100% renewable electricity, making it the “greenest” country in the world. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Sharks kill about 12 people a year. People kill about 11,417 sharks—an hour. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Approximately 64% of the United States' voting-age population is registered to vote, compared to 91% in Canada and the United Kingdom, 96% in Sweden, and nearly 99% in Japan. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Laura Scudder created the first modern bag of potato chips in 1953. Previously, they were sold out of wooden barrels or scooped from behind glass counters. Provided by FactRetriever.com

In 1894, Russian scientist Marie Mikhaïlovna de Manacééne conducted one of the earliest experiments on extreme sleep deprivation. She found that when she deprived puppies of sleep, they all died within four or five days, despite every effort to keep them alive. The younger the puppy, the more quickly it died. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Unlike many mammals, bears can see in color. Provided by FactRetriever.com

There are about 97,000 public schools and 49 million students across the United States. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Colonial Americans either gave credit to each other or relied on credit from banks in England, so there were no banks in the United States until after the Revolutionary War. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and she is from Willows, Wisconsin. Her birthday is March 9, 1959, when Mattell first displayed her at the New York Toy Fair. [source]

The idiom "kiss and make up" first surfaced in 1826 and gained initial popularity in 1859. Since then... [read more on Refdesk].

Epinephrine injections are used to treat severe bee sting allergies. Epinephrine is another name for Adrenaline; the active pharmaceutical ingredient in the Epipen or Anapen devices. [source]

In Albania, a group of women called Burneshas live in mountain villages as men to avoid societal restrictions. They cut their hair, wear men’s clothing, practice male gestures and mannerisms, change their names, and swear celibacy. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The world's second-largest colony of emperor penguins has nearly disappeared after changes in sea/ice conditions made their breeding ground unstable. The species might lose anywhere between 50% and 70% of its global population by the end of this century. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Researchers have recently found that those who suffer from depression are at risk for low bone mineral density. Depressed women are especially at risk for developing osteoporosis. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Sperm whales can dive as deep as two miles into the water, and their bodies have unique physiological adaptations to allow them to survive the intense cold and crushing pressure of these dives. They can limit circulation to the brain and other organs, slow the heart to 10 beats per minute to conserve oxygen, and collapse the lungs and rib cage to withstand pressure. Provided by FactRetriever.com

William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) holds the record for the longest inauguration speech in history at 8,578 words long and one hour and 40 minutes. Unfortunately, he gave the speech during bad weather, and a month later, he was dead from pneumonia, making his presidency the shortest on record. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Philadelphia Mint can make 1.8 million coins an hour, 32 million coins per day, and 13.5 billion coins every year. The Philadelphia facility is the largest mint in the world. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) is regarded as the father of French opera, though he was born in Italy. He pioneered the conducting stick concept, but unfortunately, he hit his foot with a heavy conducting staff. His foot became gangrenous, ultimately killing him. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Some Viking longships had carvings of dragon heads on their prows (fronts). The Vikings called these ships "Drakkar" or "dragon ships." Provided by FactRetriever.com

London-based bank HSBC has laundered billions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels. It became such a common occurrence that one cartel even designed special cash boxes to fit more easily through HSBC teller windows. Provided by FactRetriever.com

On the first day of spring, a person at the North Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, beginning six months of uninterrupted daylight. A person at the South Pole would see the sun skimming across the horizon, signaling the start of six months of darkness. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The medical name for caffeine is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Covering only 27 acres (11 ha), Bukit Nanas, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, is among the smallest patches of rainforest in the world. It is Malaysia’s oldest nature reserve. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Until 1877, lecturers at Oxford University were not allowed to marry, and women were not granted degrees until 1920. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Antarctica is the 5th largest continent and is roughly the size of Australia. However, it doesn't have a capital city or an official language, and no country controls it. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Antarctica is the 5th largest continent and is roughly the size of Australia. However, it doesn't have a capital city or an official language, and no country controls it. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The heart of a giraffe weighs 25 pounds (11.3 kilograms) and is about 2 feet long (0.6 meters). Provided by FactRetriever.com

Half of the names of U.S. states are derived from Amerindian words, such as Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Missouri. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The longest walk around the world was completed by a former neon-sign salesman, Jean Beliveau. He walked 46,600 miles around 64 countries. The trip took him 11 years. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Barn owls eat over 1,000 mice per year. The owls swallow their prey whole—skin, bones, and all. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Bats can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 120,000 Hz. Humans can hear between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Dogs can hear between 40 Hz and 60,000 Hz. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Antarctica holds about 90% of the Earth’s ice and 70% of Earth’s fresh water. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The meanings of words in Romance and Germanic languages do not vary based on tone and pitch. Words in tonal languages, such as Mandarin and Hmong, do. In these "tonal languages," the same sound can have up to eight meanings, depending on the way it is said. Provided by FactRetriever.com

According to Cherokee legend, the Milky Way was formed when a dog stole some cornmeal and was chased away. He ran to the north, spilling cornmeal as he ran. The Milky Way is thus called “The Way the Dog Ran Away.” Provided by FactRetriever.com

Called “re-entrants,” dolphins once lived on land and looked and behaved something like a small wolf but with five hoof-like toes on each foot instead of claws. Dolphins also have remnant finger bones in their flippers, a forearm, wrists, and a few remnant leg bones deep inside their bodies. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Civil War was the bloodiest war ever fought on American soil. During an average day during the war, approximately 600 people were killed. By the end of the war, over 618,000 people had died. This is more Americans than WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War combined. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Monet's mentor, Eugene Boudin, was one of the first artists to adopt "Plein air" (in full air) painting, to watch and capture the light on natural forms. Provided by FactRetriever.com

During its construction, the Great Wall of China was called “the longest cemetery on earth” because so many people died building it. Reportedly, it cost the lives of more than one million people. Provided by FactRetriever.com

According to legend, tea was discovered in 2737 B.C. by Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung, known as the “Divine Healer.” Purportedly, he discovered the beverage when tea leaves accidentally blew into his pot of boiling water. Provided by FactRetriever.com

With a tax rate of 51.4% of GDP, Swedes are one of the most highly taxed populations in the world. Ironically, they are generally happy to pay a high tax rate, and the Swedish word for tax is skatt, or “treasure.” Provided by FactRetriever.com

The post-WWII hyperinflation of Hungary holds the record for the most rapid monthly inflation increase ever: 41,900,000,000,000,000% for July 1946, which means prices doubled every 13.5 hours. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The only bird with nostrils at the end of its beak is the kiwi. This placement helps it sniff for food, such as worms and insects on the ground. It often snorts to clear its nostrils. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Harmless to humans, Thermophylic viruses have been found in Congress Pool at Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Norwegian Erik Rotheim invented the forerunner of the can-and-aerosol system we known as the aerosol spray can. He was granted a patent for his invention in Norway on October 8, 1926. Provided by FactRetriever.com

With over two dozen regularly erupting volcanos, Iceland is one of the most volcanically active spots on Earth. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Los Angeles International Airport emits approximately 19,000 tons of carbon dioxide—a month. The roughly 33,000 planes that fly in and out of the airport each month release about 800,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Nearly 90% of London’s police officers don’t carry firearms. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president an astonishing four terms before the 22nd Amendment set term limits. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Because dragonfly eyes have about 30,000 lenses, they can see nearly 360 degrees. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Linguists have identified words in the modern Estonian language that were also used by ancient inhabitants of Estonia over 5,000 years ago. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Lake Taupo was the source of the world’s largest known volcanic eruption in the last 70,000 years. It is estimated that its violent birth spewed 15,000 times the volume of material ejected when Mount Saint Helens in Washington State erupted in 1980. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The feathers under a flamingo's wings are black. You typically see them when they are flying. Provided by FactRetriever.com

While not as common as with dogs, ferrets will wag their tail when happy. They will also make a chortling or clucking sound known as “dooking.” Provided by FactRetriever.com

The male platypus has spurs above its hind legs that it can use to pierce and insert venom into its enemies. Humans who have been pierced report that the venom caused their hands and arms to swell up and lock-jaw to set in, accompanied by severe pain that lasts for weeks. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The largest hurricane can be the size of the state of Montana, 600 miles (966 kilometers) wide. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Knitting is considered to have originated in the Arab world, and from there, spread with the Crusades into Spain. The term “to knit” wasn’t added to English until the 1400s. Provided by FactRetriever.com

When the body walks faster than speeds of 3.1 mph, a person’s stride length naturally increases, which burns more calories. Research shows that at maximal levels of exertion, oxygen consumption is only slightly lower for race walkers than it is for runners. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Cattle (which include sheep, camels, and other livestock) are the first and oldest form of money. Each head of cattle was called a caput, which is Latin for “head.” So, a person with a lot of cattle had lots of caput or “capital,” a word still used today to describe money. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The only place in the world where skunks are found other than America is Indonesia and the Philippines, where they are called stink badgers. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A new person is added to the United States national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes—that's 144 people per day. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Vatican City is the only nation in the world that can lock its own gates at night. It has its own phone company, radio, T.V. stations, money, and stamps. It even has its army, the historic Swiss Guard. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The Titanic's chief baker nonchalantly stepped off the stern of the sinking liner and calmly paddled around until dawn. After he was rescued, he was back at work within days. Experts note that he survived history's greatest maritime disaster by getting completely drunk. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Monarch butterflies can fly as high as 10,000 feet. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Over just 50 square miles, Jerusalem has over 2,000 archeological sites. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The pacemaker, ultrasound, safety match, astronomical lens, marine propeller, the refrigerator, and computer mouse are all famous items that were invented in Sweden or by Swedes who weren’t living in Sweden. Provided by FactRetriever.com

Hawksbill sea turtles live in coral reefs and feed on sponges. Without the hawksbill, sponges would overgrow and suffocate the delicate and slow-growing corals. Provided by FactRetriever.com

In 1980, American journalist Janet Cook was forced to return her Pulitzer Prize when it became clear that the journalistic piece for which she had won it—a story about an 8-year-old addicted to heroin—was entirely false. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The vertebral column evolved about 500 million years ago, during the Cambrian explosion. This is when the Earth's oceans filled with a vast array of new life. Provided by FactRetriever.com

The famous tree from which the legendary Newton apple fell is still growing at Woolsthorpe Manor today. It is over 350 years old. Provided by FactRetriever.com

A 100 lb. person on Earth would weigh just under 3 pounds on Charon. A 100 lb. person on Charon would weigh just over 3, 503 pounds on Earth. Provided by FactRetriever.com

De architectura libri decem, or The Ten Books on Architecture, written by the Roman Vitruvius, is the oldest surviving garden design manual, dating from 27 B.C. Provided by FactRetriever.com