Harry S. Truman’s mother, a Confederate sympathizer, refused to sleep in Lincoln’s bed during a White House visit.
Forty-five percent of Yemen’s population is under the age of 15.
The CIA has been known to pass out Viagra in Afghanistan to make friends. Other novel incentives have included pocketknives and tools, medicine, surgery, toys, school equipment, tooth extractions, and travel visas.
In 1784, Ben Franklin wrote a humor essay that included possible energy conservation measures for Paris, France. He estimated that 100,000 families used half a pound of candles per hour for an average of seven hours per day.
Alec Hoag of New York used prostitutes to lure men into hotel rooms so he could steal their money. Police eventually dubbed him “Smart Alec” – hence the origin of the expression.
This article appears in January 15 • 2010.