What do you do when you accidentally ignite a fiery hellish conflagration that has been burning for half a century and shows no signs of ever stopping? Obviously, you promote it as […]
Explore the Fiery Crater That Has Been Burning for Over 50 Years
The Pink Poop Pandemic and the Breakfast Cereal That Caused It
What do monsters eat for breakfast? When Mary Shelley described Frankenstein’s monster, her words were remarkably descriptive. She did not, however, disclose what kind of breakfast cereal the freak of nature might […]
There are More Trees on Earth Than Stars in the Milky Way
When it comes to incredibly-large numbers, it’s hard to outdo the stars in the sky. Take anything on earth and compare its numbers to the stars in the Milky Way, and it […]
The History of the Country That Existed for Six Hours
There is some debate about which country has the honor of being the oldest nation in the world. When it comes to the other extreme, it is hard to beat the Russian Democratic […]
The Wolves That Fought in World War I
War can bring about some uneasy alliances. In the right circumstances, opposing forces can sometimes be persuaded to stop killing each — for a little while, anyway. This happened on Christmas Day, […]
Does Finland Really Exist?
You’ve heard the conspiracy theories about Area 51, that Paul McCartney died in 1967, and that “conspiracy theories” are just a big conspiracy. Did you know that every time you looked at […]
Who Wins in the Competition Between Pluto and Russia?
NASA’s New Horizons zoomed past Pluto in July 2015. It not only captured some stunning pictures of the planet, (Yes, we at Commonplace still hold to the notion that it is, indeed, […]
An Hour at The World’s Most Polluted Lake Will Kill You
What could be more relaxing and beneficial to your health than an hour’s stroll beside a lake? This might be the case just about anywhere in the world except for Lake Karachay. […]
Take a Crash Course Into Aeroflot’s Harrowing History
Airline passengers tend to take for granted that purchasing a ticket will result in travel aboard a dependable aircraft run by an airline that places safety at a premium. The biggest concerns […]
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 […]
Which Nation Has the Most Time Zones? The Answer May Surprise You!
Do you think you know which nation has the most time zones? Think again, because the answer may surprise you.
Dip Your Frog to Keep Your Milk Fresh
Has anyone ever asked you if you have a frog in your throat? If you lived in Russia or Finland you might literally have had that affliction, simply from drinking a cup […]
“счастливого Рождества” or “Merry Christmas” — What Day To Say It?
If you live in Russia or Ukraine, you probably celebrate Christmas on January 7, due to the different calendar kept by the Orthodox Church.
One Heartbeat Away — Two Different Times
William Rufus King may have risen to the highest political office of any person from Alabama, but history has all but overlooked the man who had the singular distinction of twice being […]
Clogging Up the Diplomatic Channels
The International Space Station, a multinational project, is divided into two sections: an American and Russian section. In 1998, when the venture began, it was reported that the Americans and Russians got […]
