Beginning in 1903, the U.S. paid rent to Cuba for Guantánamo Bay, but since the Sixties, Cuba has refused to cash the annual $4,085 rent check.

Monarch butterflies feed on milkweeds containing cardenolides, which are steroids that are poisonous and usually affect the heart. Cardenolides accumulate in the butterflies and act as a defense mechanism by making them taste bitter.

Franklin Pierce is the only U.S. president to have said “I promise” instead of “I swear” at his inauguration. He did it for religious reasons.

Some believe ancient Egyptians invented eye makeup about 12,000 years ago. Others blame a fallen angel named Azazyel who took an Earthly wife for his bride.

When Burgess Meredith took the role of “The Penguin” in the Batman TV series, he hadn’t smoked in 20 years. His trademark cigarette in holder irritated his throat, which caused him to ad-lib his trademark, “quack, quack, quack” voice. For the record, penguins do not make quacking sounds.

This article appears in April 22 • 2016.

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