If you spend any amount of time looking at the headlines, you might wonder whether humanity’s clock is about to run out. If so, you would not be the first to come […]
It’s the End of the World As We Know It…. And We’re Still Waiting
The Ones and Twos of Going Number 1 and Number 2
Did you ever complain while doing your math homework and ask, “Why do I need to learn this?” Probably someone responded by telling you that no matter what you choose to do […]
Why Was 2011 the Shortest Year for Samoa?
The year 2011 will be remembered by most of the world for its political and geological upheaval. Osama bin Laden and Muammar Gaddafi were killed, the Arab Spring saw protests in Libya, […]
Totally Awesome Facts About Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
As the release date for Bill & Ted Face the Music approaches, the nerdiness level at Commonplace Fun Facts Headquarters is rising exponentially. In anticipation of the sequel that has been almost […]
The Dam So Big That It Slows Earth’s Rotation
If you aren’t particularly interested in dams, you might think that the day passes more slowly if you have to spend much time contemplating them. There is, however, a direct correlation between […]
The Time Politicians Messed With Time to Prevent Anyone Messing With Time
There have been situations where politicians have thought themselves capable of legislating against nature itself, such as the time Indiana considered changing the value of pi, or the Norwegian town where it […]
Do You Know Which Day is Leap Day?
Every four years we get to experience the phenomenon known as Leap Year. One additional day is added to the calendar to account for the fact that it takes about 365.25 days […]
5 Minutes For An Oscar
It may take years to hone the acting skills necessary to win an academy award, but in terms of screen time, a few minutes will do it. In 1977, Beatrice Straight won […]
Kodak’s 13-Month Calendar
George Eastman (1854-1932) was a man of great accomplishments who was ahead of his time. The visionary founder of the photography company Eastman-Kodak did so much in the fields of photography and […]
Cleopatra Lived Closer in Time to the Moon Landing than the Construction of the Great Pyramid
When you look at the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the life of Cleopatra, and Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, which of those is the most out of […]
Relativity: the Ultimate Youth Serum
Mankind has been seeking a way to slow down aging since the very beginning. As it turns out, the best way to slow time is to move faster.
Some Timely Facts About Time Zones
Time zones are relatively new phenomena in world history. Prior to the late 19th century, the authoritative source for the official time of day was the town clock. At noon each day, […]
The Restaurant With a 10-Year Waiting List
Those who choose to dine at Damon Baehrel’s restaurant can expect fine food, unique menu items, and a memorable experience. They can also expect to wait. And wait. And wait…. Baehrel’s restaurant, […]
Judge Rules on Lawsuit 26 Years Late, After Finding File in His Attic
As far as landmark judicial decisions go, the mineral rights case of Ayers v Rubow is hardly a candidate to change the face of established jurisprudence. When Toole County, Montana Judge Ronald McPhillips […]
Using Pennies to Keep Big Ben Accurate Makes Good Cents
Aside from the monarchy, one would be hard-pressed to think of anything more iconically British than the clock in the Elizabeth Tower of Westminster Palace. Its massive bell, Big Ben, has been […]
