At 8 feet 11 inches, Robert Wadlow (1918-1940) was the world’s tallest man. He was 3 feet tall as a toddler and could carry his father at age 9.
Swimming with a monofin is a recent fun and fitness craze. There are mermaid schools in California, New York, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Ohio, Montreal, the Philippines, Spain, Bavaria, and elsewhere. There is even an International Mermaid Swimming Instructors Association.
The ‘board’ in ‘room and board’ refers to the table meals are served on.
A recent Harris poll found that 72% of American adults believe in miracles, 42% believe in ghosts, and 29% believe in astrology. According to Public Policy Polling, 21% think the government is hiding aliens, 28% believe that a secret elite power is plotting a New World Order, and 14% believe in bigfoot.
Some say putting candles on birthday cakes dates back to the ancient Greeks, but there’s no evidence the Greeks used candles. More likely, the tradition began in pagan celebrations or 18th century Germany.
This article appears in October 2 • 2015.