History

Bizarre Fact #211:
Did you know...
Salim (1569-1627, heir to the throne of India, had 4 wives when he was only 8 years of age.

Bizarre Fact #212:
Did you know...
Satirist Jonathan Swift suggested in his essay "A Modest Proposal" that the children of the poor be sold as food to feed the rich. This shocking essay is one of the best examples of satire you'll find.

Bizarre Fact #213:
Did you know...
Scientific America carried the first magazine automobile ad in 1898. The Winton Motor Car Company of Cleveland, OH, invited readers to "dispense with a horse".

Bizarre Fact #214:
Did you know...
Seat belts became mandatory on U.S. cars on March 1, 1968.

Bizarre Fact #215:
Did you know...
Seating on the first scheduled inter-city commuter airplane flight consisted of moveable wicker chairs. There were 11 of them on the first Ford Tri-Motors. After several years, Ford replaced them with aluminum framed leather chairs.

Bizarre Fact #216:
Did you know...
Shakespeare spelled his OWN name several different ways.

Bizarre Fact #217:
Did you know...
Slaves under the last emperors of China wore pigtails so they could be picked out quickly.

Bizarre Fact #218:
Did you know...
Socrates committed suicide by drinking poison hemlock.

Bizarre Fact #219:
Did you know...
Soldiers arrived to fight the Battle of Marne in World War I - not on foot or by military airplane or military vehicle - but by taxi cabs. France took over all the taxi cabs in Paris to get soldiers to the front.

Bizarre Fact #220:
Did you know...
Spartacus led the revolt of the Roman slaves and gladiators in 73 A.D.