Arkansas is the toothpick state.

According to one insider, the ashes of the late Justice Harry Blackmun made their way to his funeral service in a blue VW bug. Police initially tried to remove the vehicle from the procession.

Big band leader Sammy Kaye was originally a civil engineer.

The neolithic tombs/temples/ritual structures at Bru Na Boinne (Newgrange), Ireland and in the Orkney Islands off Scotland are the world’s oldest buildings. They are believed to be hundreds of years older than the pyramids.

The dot above the letter “I” is called a tittle.

The above is information which Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine, or the newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party.

Got facts? Write to Mr. Smarty Pants at the Chronicle, or e-mail mrpants@auschron.com.

This article appears in April 16 • 1999 and April 16 • 1999 (Cover).

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