History

Bizarre Fact #271:
Did you know...
Traffic engineering was not developed in London, New York or Paris, but rather in ancient Rome. The Romans, of course, were noted road builders. The Appian Way, for example, stretched 350 miles from the Eternal City to Brundisium. In Rome itself there were actually stop signs and even alternate-side-of-the-street parking.

Bizarre Fact #272:
Did you know...
U.S. Army doctor D.W. Bliss had the unique role of attending to two U.S. presidents after they were shot by assassins. In 1865 he was one of 16 doctors who tried to save Abraham Lincoln, and in 1881 he supervised the care of James Garfield.

Bizarre Fact #273:
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Unfortunately Gaius grew up and became emperor, incongruously retaining his boyhood diminutive. "Little boots" in Latin is "Caligula." As you may know, he was a bloodthirsty, sadistic fiend.

Bizarre Fact #274:
Did you know...
Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it is known as Tennessee.

Bizarre Fact #275:
Did you know...
Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it's known as Tennessee.

Bizarre Fact #276:
Did you know...
Until the 19th century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia.

Bizarre Fact #277:
Did you know...
Values on the Monopoly gameboard are the same today as they were in 1935.

Bizarre Fact #278:
Did you know...
Vincent Van Gogh painted a picture a day in the last 70 days of his life.

Bizarre Fact #279:
Did you know...
Virginia O'Hanlon Douglas was the eight-year-old girl who, in 1897, asked the staff of The New York Sun whether Santa Claus existed. In the now-famous editorial, Francis Church assured Virginia that yes, indeed, "there is a Santa Claus."

Bizarre Fact #280:
Did you know...
What would eventually become one of the world's most prestigious museums, the Louvre Museum opened in Paris in 1793. Until the French Revolution, the King's art collection had been strictly for the private pleasure of the Court, but revolutionary leaders decided to open the collection to the public. Among some of its most famous art pieces, the Louvre houses, the Joconde (Mona Lisa), Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Liberty Leading the People.