Mark Gruenwald was best known for his work with Marvel Comics and serving as Executive Editor of Captain America and Iron Man. After a fatal heart attack in 1996, an interesting request […]
An Artist Who Put Himself Into His Work
A Good Joke May Not Always Be the Best Medicine
When Alex Mitchell laughed himself to death while watching a comedy skit, it was a tragedy, but it certainly was not the first time anyone died from a fatal case of the […]
A Scotsman’s Bite Can Be Fatal — Even After Death
In terms of ending a fight, few techniques work more effectively than decapitation of one’s enemy. When it comes to fighting with Scotsmen, however, it is best not to assume anything. Sigurd […]
May 1 — a Day for Kings
Originally posted on Triviazoids:
May 1st in history: May 1st seems to be a big day for “kings” … On May 1st of 1328, the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton recognized the Kingdom of…
After Escaping Cannibals, Dealing With Politicians Was Easy
In September 1944 nine US airmen were shot down over Chichi Jima, a small island 700 miles south of Tokyo, Japan. Of these nine men, only one evaded capture by the Japanese. […]
Mad Dog’s Rules of Etiquette
Before he became the 26th Secretary of Defense, James Mattis was a general in the U.S. Marines Corps. He earned his nickname of “Mad Dog” with his characteristic bluntness and determination. He […]
The Good Fortune and Bad Luck of the Most Expensive Item Ever Mailed
The most valuable item known to have been shipped by U.S. mail was the Hope Diamond. It was shipped from a New York City jewelry store on November 8, 1958, and sent […]
The Cavalry Charges Into History
Few military maneuvers instill as many thoughts of heroism and daring as the cavalry charge. Rushing at full speed against an onslaught of enemy forces has inspired such poetic works Alfred, Lord […]
A Birth on the Way to the Burial
Greek philosopher Gorgias of Epirus (c. 485 BC – c. 380 BC) narrowly avoided being buried alive on the first day of his life. Gorgias was born inside his recently-deceased mother’s coffin. […]
Did One Wrong Word Cause the Hiroshima Bombing?
Readers of Commonplace will not be surprised to learn that one little mistranslation from one language to another can be embarrassing. Whether it is one misplaced letter when cheering General Douglas MacArthur, an incompetent […]
Nothing Says, “I Love You” Like Your Husband’s Severed Head in a Bag
Sir Walter Raleigh’s life came to an end on October 29, 1618. On orders from James I, the executioner took Raleigh’s head from his shoulders (although needing two strikes of the axe […]
Et tu, Next Breath?
One of the most famous assassinations in history took place on March 15, 44 BC. Julius Caesar was attacked by a group of Roman senators and stabbed to death. William Shakespeare famously […]
Death By Cuddling
Regicide is the term used to describe to killing of a monarch. History records kings and queens who have been poisoned, stabbed, shot, beheaded, and blown up. The animal kingdom boasts a […]
People Are Dying to Get Out Of Here
Death is one thing we can all count on, but we try not to dwell on it. Although it is a certainty for everyone, it always seems to take us by surprise. […]
Einstein’s Brain: Thinking Inside the Box
Many have speculated about what was going on inside Albert Einstein’s brain. The author of the Theory of Relativity and one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of all time possessed a […]
