assignment fun facts

30+ Interesting Facts About Homework You Should Know

Homework is an essential part of the education system, and it has been around for centuries. It is a task given to students to complete outside of regular school hours. Homework is usually assigned to reinforce learning, build study habits, and develop critical thinking skills. However, there are many interesting facts about homework that you may not know. In this blog, we will explore some of these Facts About Homework and discover more about the history, benefits, and effects of homework.

Origin of Homework

Table of Contents

Let us enter into the world of interesting facts about homework with its ‘history.’ Homework has a long and complicated history. It might have been around as long as the school itself, but its exact origins aren’t known.

While some websites claim that the inventor of homework is Roberto Nevilis from Venice, Italy, he probably didn’t actually exist.

The idea behind homework was to help students remember what they learned in their class. When they left their schools, they would forget what they had learned, but if they were given homework after school, they could learn what was taught in the next day’s class without having to worry about it.

Throughout the 19th century, this practice of bringing homework home began to become popular. It was encouraged by politicians like Johann Gottlieb Fichte and Horace Mann who were advocating for mandatory education.

Purpose of Homework

Homework is a term used to describe tasks or assignments given to students by their teachers that they are expected to complete outside of the classroom. These can take many forms, including reading and writing assessments, research tasks and projects.

Whether students enjoy it or not, homework is an important part of their education. It helps them develop study skills, time management, responsibility and independence.

It can also help them develop the skills needed for lifelong learning. For example, some studies have shown that students who complete their homework every night are better able to understand and apply the concepts they learn in school.

However, many students have a hard time completing their homework because of family commitments or personal problems. In addition, they might find it boring and unnecessary to do the same tasks over and over again.

Applicability of Homework

Homework is one of the most controversial topics in education, but it’s also a crucial part of the learning process. As such, it’s important to know what makes homework tick so that you can help your students succeed.

Most teachers assign homework to reinforce what was covered in class or to prepare their students for the next assignment. Less often, homework is given to extend a lesson to different contexts or integrate multiple skills around a project.

The best way to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your homework is to make sure you understand what it’s for, set aside time each week to do it, and then stick with it. This will help you avoid getting into a homework hole that could keep you up at night. By using these tips, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding at the task at hand and have more time for the things that really matter, like hanging out with friends.

Benefits of Doing Homework

Homework has many benefits, both for students and for the education system as a whole. Here are some of the most significant benefits of homework :

Reinforcing Learning: Homework helps reinforce the lessons that students learn in the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to practice what they have learned and reinforce their knowledge.
Developing Study Habits: Homework is an excellent way to teach students good study habits. It encourages students to manage their time effectively and develop a routine for completing tasks.
Promoting Independent Learning: Homework promotes independent learning and helps students develop self-discipline and responsibility.
Preparing for College: Homework prepares students for the demands of college by teaching them good study habits and helping them develop critical thinking skills.
Encouraging Parental Involvement: Homework gives parents the opportunity to get involved in their child’s education and help them with their studies.
Some research has shown that homework helps students to develop responsibility, learn time management, and study habits (Cooper 1989; Corno and Xu 2004; Johnson and Pontius 1989). However, it is important to limit the amount of homework a student does so that they can achieve the best results.

Negative Effects of Homework

While homework has many benefits, it can also have some negative effects, particularly if students are overloaded with too much work. Here are some of the most significant negative effects of homework :

Stress: Too much homework can cause stress and anxiety in students, particularly if they have other commitments outside of school.
Lack of Sleep: Students who are overloaded with homework may not get enough sleep, which can affect their ability to concentrate in class.
Burnout: Students who are constantly working on homework may experience burnout, which can lead to a lack of motivation and engagement in school.
Inequality: Homework can also contribute to educational inequality, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have the resources or support they need to complete their homework assignments.

35+ Interesting Facts About Homework

Now that we have explored the history, benefits, and effects of homework, let’s look at some interesting facts about homework that you may not know:

The word “homework” comes from the Latin word “homo” which means “man” and “opus” which means “work.” So, homework literally means “man’s work.”
In some countries, homework is illegal. For example, in France, homework is banned for students in primary school.
The amount of homework that students receive varies widely around the world. In Finland, students typically receive less than half an hour of homework per night, while in some countries, students may receive several hours of homework per night.
The debate over the effectiveness of homework has been going on for over 100 years. In 1901, the Ladies’ Home Journal published an article arguing that homework was harmful to children’s health.
The largest homework assignment ever given was in 2012 when a teacher in Kazakhstan assigned her students a 14-page math problem.
Homework can be beneficial for younger students. A study found that homework had a positive effect on students in grades 2-5, but had little to no effect on students in grades 6-9.
Homework can help improve academic achievement, but only up to a certain point. Studies have shown that students who do more than two hours of homework per night do not necessarily perform better academically than those who do less.
The average high school student spends about 17.5 hours per week on homework. This is the equivalent of a part-time job!
Homework can help improve time management skills. A study found that students who spent more time on homework had better time management skills and were more likely to complete their work on time.
Homework can have a positive impact on family relationships. A study found that parents who helped their children with homework felt more involved in their child’s education and had a better relationship with their child.
Homework dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where students would study and write at home in addition to attending school.
The first recorded use of the word “homework” in the English language dates back to the 1650s.
Homework is believed to have become a common practice in the United States in the early 20th century, as a way to improve academic performance.
In some countries, such as Finland, homework is not given to primary school students at all, while in others, like South Korea, students may have hours of homework each night.
Studies have shown that too much homework can be detrimental to students’ health and well-being, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches.
However, homework can also have positive effects, such as improving academic achievement and teaching students important skills like time management and self-discipline.
The amount of homework given to students has been a topic of debate among educators and parents for many years, with some advocating for more homework and others arguing for less.
Some schools and teachers have implemented alternative forms of homework, such as project-based learning or online assignments, in order to make homework more engaging and relevant to students.
Some studies have shown that parental involvement in homework can be beneficial, but only to a certain extent, and that too much parental involvement can actually be counterproductive.
The effectiveness of homework may depend on a variety of factors, including the student’s age, academic level, and learning style, as well as the type and amount of homework assigned.
Homework can help reinforce what was learned in class, as well as prepare students for upcoming lessons and assessments.
Some researchers have suggested that homework should be tailored to each student’s individual needs and abilities, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Homework can also help develop skills such as research, writing, and critical thinking, which are important for success in higher education and in the workforce.
In some countries, such as Japan, students may attend “cram schools” or “juku” to supplement their education and receive additional homework assignments.
The amount of homework assigned to students can vary greatly depending on the subject, grade level, and teacher. For example, a high school student taking advanced math classes may have significantly more homework than a middle school student taking basic English classes.
Some studies have shown that homework can be especially beneficial for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as it can provide a structured and supportive environment for learning outside of the classroom.
Homework policies can vary greatly between schools and school districts, with some schools banning homework altogether or limiting the amount of homework assigned.
In some cases, homework has become a controversial issue, with some parents and educators advocating for its abolition and others arguing for its importance in education.
Online homework platforms and tools have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing students to access assignments and resources from anywhere with an internet connection.
The effectiveness of homework may also depend on the quality of instruction and feedback provided by the teacher, as well as the student’s level of engagement and motivation.
Homework can also provide opportunities for students to practice skills and concepts independently, which can help to identify areas where they may need additional support or instruction.
Homework can help students to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability, as they are expected to complete assignments and meet deadlines.
Some studies have shown that excessive homework can have negative effects on family time and activities, as well as lead to conflicts and stress between students and their parents.
Homework policies can vary greatly between cultures and countries, with some countries placing a greater emphasis on homework and academic achievement than others.
Homework can also provide opportunities for students to develop social and emotional skills, such as working collaboratively on group assignments or managing their time effectively.
Some educators and researchers have suggested that homework should be designed to promote deeper learning and understanding, rather than just memorization and rote learning.
Homework can be a source of academic pressure and stress for some students, particularly those who struggle with learning or have competing demands on their time.
The use of homework as a means of assessing student learning and progress has been criticized by some educators, who argue that it can be an unreliable and unfair measure of achievement.
Homework policies can also vary greatly between individual teachers, with some teachers assigning significantly more or less homework than their colleagues.
Some educators and researchers have called for a re-evaluation of the role and value of homework in education, and for more research into its effectiveness and impact on student learning and well-being.

Conclusion (Facts About Homework)

In conclusion, homework has a long history and has evolved over the centuries. While it has many benefits, it can also have negative effects if students are overloaded with too much work. However, the debate over the effectiveness of homework is ongoing, and it is clear that the amount and type of homework given can vary widely around the world. Nevertheless, homework remains an important part of the education system, and it is likely to continue to be so for many years to come. Hope you have enjoyed the interesting facts about homework discussed in this blog.

FAQs (Facts About Homework)

Why do teachers assign homework.

Teachers assign homework for several reasons. It can help reinforce concepts taught in class, encourage independent learning and time management skills, and provide an opportunity for students to practice skills they will need in future academic and professional endeavors.

How much homework should students have?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of homework can vary depending on the grade level, subject, and individual school policies. In general, the National Education Association recommends a guideline of about 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night (e.g., 20 minutes for second grade, 90 minutes for ninth grade).

Top 19 Tips & Tricks On How To Improve Grades?

Do you want to improve your grades? If yes, then don’t worry! In this blog, I have provided 19 tips…

How To Study For Final Exam – 12 Proven Tips You Must Know

How To Study For Final Exam? Studying for the final exam is very important for academic success because they test…

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, did you know 61 amazing facts.

General Education

Everybody loves looking like the smartest person in the room with cool and interest facts. While I’m a big fan of random and fun facts, Did You Know Facts are facts that you can use as supporting evidence, whether it’s in a timed essay, a debate, or even a conversation. Did You Know Facts help expand your knowledge base so you’re prepared for any situation, and have the benefit of making you seem like you know what you’re talking about on any subject.

What Is a "Did You Know?" Fact?

Did you know that you can incorporate outside facts into your essays, debates and conversations? Did you know that facts make your argument stronger and more interesting ? There's a whole world of fun and interesting facts out there, on all kinds of subjects. Read on to find out how to use "did you know facts" to your advantage, and dive into our list of fascinating facts.

Using Did You Know Facts in Essays

The SAT and ACT optional writing sections that include times essays, and the GRE has an essay in its mandatory writing section. Statewide standardized tests or tests you take in school may also time essay sections.

Supporting evidence from facts increases your score, since it makes your argument stronger, or can help you clarify a point or topic. Since timed essays are written in the same structure as an academic paper, where you defend a thesis , it’s always made stronger by factual or statistical evidence, particularly if you can show that you can apply outside knowledge to the prompt at hand.

It’s helpful to go into a test with a few Did You Know Facts already in mind, things that you can hopefully apply to whatever your prompt is. Historical, literary, and political facts are great for essays since they’re more broad, and can be applied to more prompts.

Using Did You Know Facts in Debates

In a debate, you should already be prepared and have your facts and ideas ready to go. However, a fun fact can impress your audience and judges and throw off your opponent. Even if the fact isn’t directly related to your topic, having more supporting evidence and showing how your argument influences other things than the ones you’ve outlined in your debate prep can help put the discussion in context, and enrich the debate.

Did You Know? Fun Facts in 7 Categories

This list offers some interesting facts in different categories. These facts are fun and interesting, but also can be used as supporting evidence. If you're looking for facts to keep in your toolbox for things like times essays, remember that statistics are always strongest, and to choose facts that are relevant to your topic .

Did You Know These Facts About Animals and Nature?

The closest living relative to humans are chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas. We share between 98 and 99.6% of DNA with these species. Gorillas can even catch colds from humans.

Most mammals have reproductive cycles. However, only humans, humpback whales, and elephants experience menopause.

To escape a crocodiles jaw, push your thumb into its eyeballs.

Cats have only lived with people for about 7,000 years. Compared to dogs, whose domestication may have begun as early as 25,000 years ago.

Most of the Earth’s longest-surviving species are found in the ocean. While cyanobacterias are technically the oldest living organisms on Earth, having appeared 2.8 billion years ago, the ocean sponge has also been on Earth for 580 million years, and jellyfish have been here for 550 million years.

85% of plant life is found in the ocean.

The Amazon rainforest is an amazing place. The Amazon produces over 20% of the world’s oxygen, and contains more than half of the world’s species of plants, animals, and insects.

Additionally, up to 73 million sharks per year die due to shark finning, where fishermen catch the shark, cut off its fins, and throw the still-living shark back into the water. Many countries have imposed full or partial bans on finning, mainly that the sharks need to arrive onshore with fins attached. A few countries, notably Israel, Egypt, Ecuador, Honduras, Brunei and the Maldives, have total shark fishing bans.

Many animals exhibit high levels of emotional intelligence. For example, cows form bonds akin to friendships, and often have a “best friend,” and Gentoo Penguins bring a potential mate a pebble to “propose.”

Dog noses are as unique as a human fingerprint.

Did You Know These Facts About History?

Paul Revere famously yelled “The British Are Coming!’ at the start of the American Revolution. Or...not. Revere was just one member of a secret militia operation to warn other militias about the British troops. A lot of colonial Americans still considered themselves British at that time, and would have likely been confused if he’d actually said or shouted this.

Many people came forward pretending to be Grand Duchess Anastasia after the Czar fell in the Russian Revolution. But Anastasia impersonators came from a long tradition of royal imposters; Louis XVII of France died during the French Revolution, and years later when the country was discussing a revival of the monarchy, over 100 people came forward claiming to be the prince.

There were more than 600 plots to kill Fidel Castro. Plots were crafted by a variety of enemies, and even included an exploding cigar.

The patent for the first car was filed in 1886 by Karl Benz for a gas-powered, 3-wheel motor car.

Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin were all nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. While not all nominees since have been controversy-free, whoever nominated these three probably regretted it.

We know now that the bubonic plague was in part spread by rats. But before the plague, Pope Gregory IX declared that cats were associated with devil worship and ordered that they be exterminated. Unfortunately, people listened and as a result the rat population flourished. It is believed that the increased rat population contributed to the plague. (Ahem, actions have consequences, and don’t mess with cats)

Jeanette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress in 1916, 4 years before women had the right to vote. She was a pacifist from Montana, and was elected a second time in 1941. Both times, she voted no in regards to entering World Wars 1 and 2.

Seven of the 10 deadliest wars in history have taken place in China. The Taping Rebellion had twice as many deaths as World War 1.

Pineapples are all the rage now, but they were also a fad in the UK in the 1700s. People carried them around to show their wealth and status, and people decorated their homes with pineapples. You could even rent a pineapple as an accessory.

Bonus: Jeanette Rankin was one of the few suffragists elected to Congress. Unfortunately, Montana has not elected a woman to Congress since.

Did You Know These Facts About Science?

20% of the Earth’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth at 2,000 kilometers long.

Most of us are familiar with the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. But there are actually two dozen known states of matter. Plasma is one example, but scientists have also found other states of matter that only occur under certain conditions.

When helium is cooled to absolute zero (-460 degrees Fahrenheit) it becomes a liquid and starts flowing upward, against gravity.

The moon once had an atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions on the moon released trillions of tons of gas into the air, which created an atmosphere. The gases eventually became lost to space.

When Einstein posed his Theory of Relativity, he didn’t have the resources to prove this theory. However, the theory has been proven correct several times over the years. Most recently in 2018, scientists saw that as a black hole distorted light waves from a nearby star in a way that agrees with the theory.

Scientists have answered the question “what comes first the chicken or the egg?” The chicken came first because the egg shell contains a protein that can only be made from a hen.

It is mainly men who experience colorblindness.1/20 men experience color blindness as opposed to 1/200 women.

Scientists were called “natural philosophers” until the 17th century because science didn’t exist as a concept.

Did You Know These Facts About Famous People?

Natalie Portman is a Harvard graduate and has had papers published in two scientific journals, one of which was when she was in high school.

Some of Neil Patrick Harris’ characters are magicians, and so if the actor. His children’s book series, The Magic Misfits, is also about a group of magicians.

Colin Kaepernick got a pet tortoise at age 10, that fit in a shoebox. Today, the tortoise is 115 pounds and may live to be 135 years old.

The Doctor Suess book Green Eggs and Ham uses only 50 different words. Doctor Suess wrote the book on a bet from his publisher that he couldn’t write a book with fewer words than The Cat in the Hat, which has 225.

Woody Harrelson’s father was a hitman, who left the family when the actor was young. Woody didn’t find out about his father’s criminal activity until he heard a radio report on his trial.

Dr. Martin Luther King was a Star Trek fan. He convinced Nichelle Nichols, one of the first black women featured on a major TV show, not to quit, arguing that her role was making history. Mae Jamison, the first black woman to travel into space, later cited Nichols as one of her inspirations.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving British monarch. She has been on the throne for 67 years. The 93 year old queen’s heir is currently her son Charles, who is 70.

Isaac Asimov published so many books, essays, short fiction, and non-fiction, that if you read one per week it would take you 9 years to read all of his work.

Did You Know These Facts About Politics and Government?

In 2018, 50.3% of eligible voters turned out to vote. This was the highest turnout for a midterm election since 2018.

Also in 2018, 16% of voters said it was the first time they’d voted in a midterm election.

About ⅓ of Americans think the president affects their personal lives, and 63% say he affects the country’s mood.

The U.S. spends more on defense than the other 7 countries combined. Last year, the U.S. spent $649 billion, while China, Saudi Arabia, India, France, Russia, the U.K. and Germany spent a combined $609 billion

Any person born in the United States or to U.S. citizen parents is also a U.S. citizen.

The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17th, 1787. It was meant not to “grant” rights, but to protect the rights people were born with.

Although the U.S. has a two party system, there are some other third parties. Notable ones now are the tea party and the green party, but the U.S. once had fringe parties like the Bull and Moose party.

Americans throw out 4.4 pounds of trash daily.

Did You Know These Facts About Sports?

The NCAA required football players to study during halftime in 1925

The Stanley Cup was originally two stories tall, but it was deemed too difficult to transport

Basketball legend Michael Jordan also played baseball, and allegedly still received his basketball salary while a member of the Chicago White Sox system.

Only three active players are in the top 50 on the all-time MLB home run list, yet 27 of the last 50 have played within the last 50 years.

There has never been a three-peat in the Super Bowl

Until 1992, female athletes competing in the Olympics had to undergo mandatory sex verification testing, due to fears that male athletes would disguise themselves as female to gain an advantage. The Olympic Committee still maintains the right to conduct testing if “suspicions arise.” There were no such requirements for male athletes.

Punters have the longest NFL careers, at an average of 4.87 years.

In 1972, Title IX was adopted, and opened the door for women and girls participation in sports. Before Title IX, women were 2% of college students participating in sports, and girls were 7% of high school students participating in sports. In 2019, high school girls are 42.7% of sports participants, and college women make up 44% of athletes.

Did You Know These Facts About Pop Culture?

Friday the 13th was filmed at a Boy Scout Camp. Fans of the film would go up to the camp to visit, take photos, and sometimes scare the campers, to the point where the camp had to ask on its website for people to stop coming there.

Elvis’s manager sold buttons that said “I hate Elvis” in order to make money off the many people who found his music controversial.

The world’s oldest piano is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It dates back to 1720.

Red Dawn was the first movie to be released with a PG-13 rating. It was released on August 10th, 1984.

The first movie to be released with an X rating (no admittance under the age of 16) was Greetings in 1968, Robert de Niro’s debut film. The rating was later reduced to R.

Mr. Rogers always announced when he was feeding his fish. He did so because a blind viewer wrote in, asking if the fish was okay, since she couldn’t see that he’d fed it.

The show M*A*S*H* was on TV for almost 13 years. The show was about the Korean War, in which American involvement only lasted three years.

In Game of Thrones, cloaks the members of the Night’s Watch wear are made from Ikea rugs

The shows Saved by the Bell, That’s so Raven, and iCarly were all filmed on the same “school” set, which is why they look so similar.

As they say, knowledge is power! And you, my friend, are one powerful person. While you can certainly use this list of facts to get high scores on your essays or stump your debate opponent, I also recommend that you take the opportunity to learn more about the things on the list. A lot of these facts are just the beginning of some super interesting topics and stories, and the first step in helping you become more informed about the world in which we live. Now you know, and happy reading!

What's Next?

Looking for compelling essay ideas? Check out these lists of Argumentative Essay Topics and Persuasive Essay Topics .

While you're working on your essay writing skills, make sure to read these guides on and writing an argumentative essay , and this guide on writing on analytical essay .

Are you taking the SAT or ACT writing section? Read How to Get an 800 on the SAT Writing and How to Write an ACT Essay .

And look for our lists of debate topics and research paper topics !

Carrie holds a Bachelors in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, and is currently pursuing an MFA. She worked in book publishing for several years, and believes that books can open up new worlds. She loves reading, the outdoors, and learning about new things.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

9 Interesting & Weird Facts About Homework (Updated 2023)

Homework has been a very important part of education, and its benefits cannot be neglected. Home assignments help students in mastering what they have been taught in school and provide an opportunity for them to study.

On the other hand, many of us have wondered who invented the concept of homework. Who created it? What are some interesting facts about homework? This post discusses the answers to these questions. Read this article to find out the answer.

What is Homework?

Table of Contents

Homework is a job or work given to a student by a teacher to be performed outside of the classroom, most likely at home, whereas homework is a task given to a student to be completed during a specific study.

Types Of Homework

In this section, we will talk about the types of homework:

1. Practice Exercises

These assignments involve practicing skills learned in class, such as solving math problems or practicing language exercises.

2. Reading Assignments

Students are assigned readings from textbooks, novels, or other sources to enhance their understanding of a subject or develop critical thinking skills.

3. Research Projects

Students are tasked with researching a specific topic and presenting their findings, fostering independent research skills and promoting deeper understanding.

4. Experimental Assignments

Particularly common in science subjects, these assignments involve conducting experiments, gathering data, and drawing conclusions.

5. Review and Revision

Students revise previously learned material, reinforcing concepts and preparing for exams.

6. Creative Assignments

These assignments involve artistic expression, such as creating artwork, composing music, or designing projects, allowing students to explore their creativity while learning.

Facts About Homework: Who Create Homework

Who exactly created the homework? We might never be certain. Numerous personalities and occasions have impacted its history. Starting off, let’s examine two of its influencers.

The Dubious Roberto Nevelis of Venice

Many people believe that Roberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, introduced homework around 1095, depending on different sources. But upon closer examination, he appears to be more of an online myth than a real historical figure.

Horace Mann

Horace Mann, a statesman and educational reformer in the 19th century, had a significant impact on homework history. Mann, like his contemporaries Henry Barnard and Calvin Ellis Stowe, took a keen interest in the nation-state of Germany’s newly unified mandatory public education system.

Horace Mann was a driving force behind the creation of publicly sponsored, government-regulated education in the US. During a visit to Germany in 1843, he witnessed the Volkschule system in action and brought back several of its ideas, including homework.

Related: How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

9 Interesting & Weird Facts About Homework

Below we mentioned 9 interesting as well as weird facts about homework that a student must know. On the other hand, we tell both the positive and negative sides of homework which are as follows:

Positive Effects of Homework on Students

Here in this section, we mentioned some of the positive effects of homework on students:

1. It Involves Parents In Their Child’s Life

By bringing their homework, students make sure that their parents are involved in the educational process. In order to observe what is being taught in the classroom, many parents actively request that their children’s homework be supplied.

Teachers hardly ever get access to their kids’ private life. Parents hardly ever even observe their children’s school experiences. The school, the educator, and the parent may all communicate with one another through homework. Everyone may come to know one another better as a result.

It improves teachers’ comprehension of their student’s needs.

2. It Cuts Down On Screen Time

A student on average could watch 3–4 hours of television each day on an ordinary school night. When the student is not in class, the amount of screen time increases to 7-8 hours. Even while homework is disliked and despised, it helps promote improved study habits.

It prevents wasting time watching television or playing games on a smartphone. As a result, distracting practices that can later hinder learning may be prevented from developing.

3. The Goal Of Homework Is To Raise The Standard Of Teaching

Improving the structure and content of the homework is one technique to improve the learning process.

There are several types of homework, all of which aim to elevate students’ academic standards and enhance the teaching and learning process.

4. Homework Helps Students Prepare For Success In Both Schools And In Life

Students gain experience with discipline, time management, following instructions, critical thinking, and autonomous problem-solving by having to complete at-home tasks.

Students who develop effective study habits at home perform better in class, which boosts their scores and results.

5. Successful Homework Writing Requires Effective Time Management

Even when there is not a lot of homework, teenagers dislike it. Even when they only have one project that takes 30 minutes, they put it off. The fact is that they are incapable of effective management.

They can establish productive habits with the help of some time management. If they put enough effort into it, they will alter their routines and stop viewing schoolwork as consuming all of their spare time.

Related: Ways to Get Your Homework Done Faster

Negative Effects of Homework on Students

Here in this section, we mentioned some of the negative effects of homework on students:

6. There Is Insufficient Proof To Back The Benefits Of Homework

Since ancient times, homework has been a part of the educational system. Teachers assume they are valuable and are confident that students benefit from it.

The fact is that there isn’t enough evidence to back up the claim that homework improves academic and non-academic performance.

According to one research, high school students should only be assigned two hours of homework every night for it to be beneficial to their academic performance. Anything over that point undermines their drive.

In most cases, students are given extra assignments. They must spend at least two hours studying in order to recall the information they learned in class that day.

7. Students Have Stress From Homework

When students have an excessive amount of schoolwork, they start having physical symptoms, most often headaches. They experience pressure from their parents and instructors to do this schoolwork.

They object to continually being judged by other pupils. They experience significant amounts of stress as a result of all those causes.

Related: Why Homework Should Be Banned

8. Burn-Out Is Brought On By Homework

A lot of schoolwork might easily exhaust students. Students feel entirely unmotivated and are unable to complete the homework at that point.

Working all day and then taking three hours off to go home. It’s not cool at all. Why then, do teachers believe that students should be allowed to bring part of their work home?

9. Homework Will Remain A Problem For Students Or Will it?

Teachers have no intention of ceasing to assign homework, however, how despised by students it is. They really believe it is necessary.

They could start assigning less of the problem if students can explain it in a reasonable way. However, homework will always exist but regular assignment completion helps students shorten the time needed for exam preparation.

They may review the subject while it is still fresh thanks to homework. It has positive consequences when done carefully that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Benefits For Students Of Doing Homework Daily

Here we are going to know the benefits of doing homework daily:

1. Improves Academic Performance

Homework can help students to learn and retain information more effectively. When students are allowed to practice what they have learned in class, they can remember it and be able to perform well in exams and tests.

2. Develops Critical Thinking And Problem-Solving Skills

Homework can help students to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When students face challenging problems, they are forced to think critically about how to solve them. This can help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

3. Teaches Time Management And Organization Skills

Homework can help students to learn how to manage their time and organize their work. When students are given a specific task, they must learn how to prioritize their work and allocate their time effectively. This can be a valuable skill for students to have, both in school and in the workplace.

4. Builds Independence And Self-Confidence

Homework can help students to build independence and self-confidence. When students can complete their homework independently, they feel a sense of accomplishment. This can help them to develop a sense of self-confidence and believe in their ability to succeed.

5. Promotes Positive Parent-Child Relationships

Homework can be a great opportunity for parents and children to work together. When parents help their children with their homework, they can provide support and guidance. This can strengthen the parent-child bond and create a positive learning environment.

5 Reasons Why Homework Is Interesting for Some Students

1. Students will learn new things quickly and enhance their knowledge.

2. Brainstorming and idea generation power will increase.

3. Analytical skills and problem-solving skills will increase.

4. Students learn how to manage things.

5. Homework can help students prepare for future exams, projects, and other assessments, motivating some students.

This is the end of this article, which is facts about homework. However, teachers and students both should really be aware.

Teachers need to realize that having too much homework is stressful rather than helpful. On the other hand, students should understand that they could genuinely gain from them if they stop detesting assignments so much.

Both sides need to find a solution. The amount of homework that educators provide should be reevaluated, and they should make the activities more enjoyable in order to engage the students.

Instead of having a fixed perspective, students should realize that they can achieve exceptional achievements with a little more work.

Q1. Who invented homework?

Homework is almost always credited to Roberto Nevelis of Venice, Italy, who invented it in 1095—or 1905. On the other hand, it is totally depending on your sources.

Q2. How can I finish my homework fast?

Here are 8 ways to finish your homework faster: 1. Gather all your gear 2. Time yourself 3. Stay on task 4. Reward yourself 5. Take some breaks 6. Make a list 7. Unplug 8. Estimate the amount of time required for each item on your list.

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

11 Surprising Homework Statistics, Facts & Data

The age-old question of whether homework is good or bad for students is unanswerable because there are so many “ it depends ” factors.

For example, it depends on the age of the child, the type of homework being assigned, and even the child’s needs.

There are also many conflicting reports on whether homework is good or bad. This is a topic that largely relies on data interpretation for the researcher to come to their conclusions.

To cut through some of the fog, below I’ve outlined some great homework statistics that can help us understand the effects of homework on children.

Homework Statistics List

1. 45% of parents think homework is too easy for their children.

A study by the Center for American Progress found that parents are almost twice as likely to believe their children’s homework is too easy than to disagree with that statement.

Here are the figures for math homework:

46% of parents think their child’s math homework is too easy.
25% of parents think their child’s math homework is not too easy.
29% of parents offered no opinion.

Here are the figures for language arts homework:

44% of parents think their child’s language arts homework is too easy.
28% of parents think their child’s language arts homework is not too easy.
28% of parents offered no opinion.

These findings are based on online surveys of 372 parents of school-aged children conducted in 2018.

2. 93% of Fourth Grade Children Worldwide are Assigned Homework

The prestigious worldwide math assessment Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS) took a survey of worldwide homework trends in 2007. Their study concluded that 93% of fourth-grade children are regularly assigned homework, while just 7% never or rarely have homework assigned.

3. 17% of Teens Regularly Miss Homework due to Lack of High-Speed Internet Access

A 2018 Pew Research poll of 743 US teens found that 17%, or almost 2 in every 5 students, regularly struggled to complete homework because they didn’t have reliable access to the internet.

This figure rose to 25% of Black American teens and 24% of teens whose families have an income of less than $30,000 per year.

4. Parents Spend 6.7 Hours Per Week on their Children’s Homework

A 2018 study of 27,500 parents around the world found that the average amount of time parents spend on homework with their child is 6.7 hours per week. Furthermore, 25% of parents spend more than 7 hours per week on their child’s homework.

American parents spend slightly below average at 6.2 hours per week, while Indian parents spend 12 hours per week and Japanese parents spend 2.6 hours per week.

5. Students in High-Performing High Schools Spend on Average 3.1 Hours per night Doing Homework

A study by Galloway, Conner & Pope (2013) conducted a sample of 4,317 students from 10 high-performing high schools in upper-middle-class California.

Across these high-performing schools, students self-reported that they did 3.1 hours per night of homework.

Graduates from those schools also ended up going on to college 93% of the time.

6. One to Two Hours is the Optimal Duration for Homework

A 2012 peer-reviewed study in the High School Journal found that students who conducted between one and two hours achieved higher results in tests than any other group.

However, the authors were quick to highlight that this “t is an oversimplification of a much more complex problem.” I’m inclined to agree. The greater variable is likely the quality of the homework than time spent on it.

Nevertheless, one result was unequivocal: that some homework is better than none at all : “students who complete any amount of homework earn higher test scores than their peers who do not complete homework.”

7. 74% of Teens cite Homework as a Source of Stress

A study by the Better Sleep Council found that homework is a source of stress for 74% of students. Only school grades, at 75%, rated higher in the study.

That figure rises for girls, with 80% of girls citing homework as a source of stress.

Similarly, the study by Galloway, Conner & Pope (2013) found that 56% of students cite homework as a “primary stressor” in their lives.

8. US Teens Spend more than 15 Hours per Week on Homework

The same study by the Better Sleep Council also found that US teens spend over 2 hours per school night on homework, and overall this added up to over 15 hours per week.

Surprisingly, 4% of US teens say they do more than 6 hours of homework per night. That’s almost as much homework as there are hours in the school day.

The only activity that teens self-reported as doing more than homework was engaging in electronics, which included using phones, playing video games, and watching TV.

9. The 10-Minute Rule

The National Education Association (USA) endorses the concept of doing 10 minutes of homework per night per grade.

For example, if you are in 3rd grade, you should do 30 minutes of homework per night. If you are in 4th grade, you should do 40 minutes of homework per night.

However, this ‘rule’ appears not to be based in sound research. Nevertheless, it is true that homework benefits (no matter the quality of the homework) will likely wane after 2 hours (120 minutes) per night, which would be the NEA guidelines’ peak in grade 12.

10. 21.9% of Parents are Too Busy for their Children’s Homework

An online poll of nearly 300 parents found that 21.9% are too busy to review their children’s homework. On top of this, 31.6% of parents do not look at their children’s homework because their children do not want their help. For these parents, their children’s unwillingness to accept their support is a key source of frustration.

11. 46.5% of Parents find Homework too Hard

The same online poll of parents of children from grades 1 to 12 also found that many parents struggle to help their children with homework because parents find it confusing themselves. Unfortunately, the study did not ask the age of the students so more data is required here to get a full picture of the issue.

Get a Pdf of this article for class

Enjoy subscriber-only access to this article’s pdf

Interpreting the Data

Unfortunately, homework is one of those topics that can be interpreted by different people pursuing differing agendas. All studies of homework have a wide range of variables, such as:

What age were the children in the study?
What was the homework they were assigned?
What tools were available to them?
What were the cultural attitudes to homework and how did they impact the study?
Is the study replicable?

The more questions we ask about the data, the more we realize that it’s hard to come to firm conclusions about the pros and cons of homework .

Furthermore, questions about the opportunity cost of homework remain. Even if homework is good for children’s test scores, is it worthwhile if the children consequently do less exercise or experience more stress?

Thus, this ends up becoming a largely qualitative exercise. If parents and teachers zoom in on an individual child’s needs, they’ll be able to more effectively understand how much homework a child needs as well as the type of homework they should be assigned.

Related: Funny Homework Excuses

The debate over whether homework should be banned will not be resolved with these homework statistics. But, these facts and figures can help you to pursue a position in a school debate on the topic – and with that, I hope your debate goes well and you develop some great debating skills!

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

101 random fun facts that will blow your mind

Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.

Photo credit: Getty

Toby Saunders

Tom Howarth

If you’re looking to impress your friends, kids and family with random fun facts, and weird and wonderful trivia, you've come to the right place. Below you can find 101 interesting facts that will reshape how you see our world – and far far beyond.

So, buckle up and prepare to amuse children, impress (or annoy) your co-workers, dazzle your dinner party guests, and have your own mind blown with our best collection of extraordinary and fun tidbits.

With random facts about everything from animals, space, geography, science, health, biology and much more, welcome to our odyssey of oddities.

101 of the best random fun facts

A cloud weighs around a million tonnes . A cloud typically has a volume of around 1km 3 and a density of around 1.003kg per m 3 – that's a density that’s around 0.4 per cent lower than the air surrounding it ( this is how they are able to float ).
Giraffes are 30 times more likely to get hit by lightning than people . True, there are only five well-documented fatal lightning strikes on giraffes between 1996 and 2010. But due to the population of the species being just 140,000 during this time, it makes for about 0.003 lightning deaths per thousand giraffes each year. This is 30 times the equivalent fatality rate for humans.
Identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints . You can’t blame your crimes on your twin, after all. This is because environmental factors during development in the womb (umbilical cord length, position in the womb, and the rate of finger growth) impact your fingerprint.
Earth’s rotation is changing speed . It's actually slowing . This means that, on average, the length of a day increases by around 1.8 seconds per century. 600 million years ago a day lasted just 21 hours.
Your brain is constantly eating itself . This process is called phagocytosis , where cells envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. Don’t worry! Phagocytosis isn't harmful, but actually helps preserve your grey matter.
The largest piece of fossilised dinosaur poo discovered is over 30cm long and over two litres in volume . Believed to be a Tyrannosaurus rex turd , the fossilised dung (also named a 'coprolite') is helping scientists better understand what the dinosaur ate.
The Universe's average colou r is called 'Cosmic latte' . In a 2002 study, astronomers found that the light coming from galaxies averaged into a beige colour that’s close to white.
Animals can experience time differently from humans . To smaller animals, the world around them moves more slowly compared to humans. Salamanders and lizards, for example, experience time more slowly than cats and dogs. This is because the perception of time depends on how quickly the brain can process incoming information.
Water might not be wet . This is because most scientists define wetness as a liquid’s ability to maintain contact with a solid surface, meaning that water itself is not wet , but can make other objects wet.
A chicken once lived for 18 months without a head . Mike the chicken's incredible feat was recorded back in the 1940s in the USA . He survived as his jugular vein and most of his brainstem were left mostly intact, ensuring just enough brain function remained for survival. In the majority of cases, a headless chicken dies in a matter of minutes.
All the world’s bacteria stacked on top of each other would stretch for 10 billion light-years . Together, Earth's 0.001mm-long microbes could wrap around the Milky Way over 20,000 times.
Wearing a tie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5 per cent . A study in 2018 found that wearing a necktie can reduce the blood flow to your brain by up to 7.5 per cent, which can make you feel dizzy, nauseous, and cause headaches. They can also increase the pressure in your eyes if on too tight and are great at carrying germs.
The fear of long words is called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia . The 36-letter word was first used by the Roman poet Horace in the first century BCE to criticise those writers with an unreasonable penchant for long words. It was American poet Aimee Nezheukumatathil, possibly afraid of their own surname, who coined the term how we know it in 2000.
The world’s oldest dog lived to 29.5 years old . While the median age a dog reaches tends to be about 10-15 years , one Australian cattle dog, ‘Bluey’, survived to the ripe old age of 29.5.
The world’s oldest cat lived to 38 years and three days old . Creme Puff was the oldest cat to ever live .
The Sun makes a sound but we can't hear it . In the form of pressure waves, the Sun does make a sound . The wavelength of the pressure waves from the Sun is measured in hundreds of miles, however, meaning they are far beyond the range of human hearing.
Mount Everest isn't the tallest mountain on Earth . Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii, the twin volcanoes, are taller than Mount Everest due to 4.2km of their heights being submerged underwater. The twin volcanoes measure a staggering 10.2km in total, compared to Everest’s paltry 4.6km.
Our solar system has a wall . The heliopause – the region of space in which solar wind isn’t hot enough to push back the wind of particles coming from distant stars – is often considered the “boundary wall” of the Solar System and interstellar space.
Octopuses don’t actually have tentacles . They have eight limbs, but they're arms (for most species). Technically, when talking about cephalopods (octopuses, squids etc), scientists define tentacles as limbs with suckers at their end. Octopus arms have suckers down most of their length.
Most maps of the world are wrong . On most maps, the Mercator projection – first developed in 1569 – is still used. This method is wildly inaccurate and makes Alaska appear as large as Brazil and Greenland 14 times larger than it actually is. For a map to be completely accurate, it would need to be life-size and round, not flat.
NASA genuinely faked part of the Moon landing . While Neil Armstrong's first steps on the lunar surface were categorically not faked, the astronaut quarantine protocol when the astronauts arrived back on Earth was largely just one big show .
Comets smell like rotten eggs . A comet smells like rotten eggs, urine, burning matches, and… almonds. Traces of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, sulphur dioxide, and hydrogen cyanide were all found in the makeup of the comet 67P/Churyumove-Gerasimenko. Promotional postcards were even commissioned in 2016 carrying the pungent scent of a comet.
Earth’s poles are moving . This magnetic reversal of the North and South Pole has happened 171 times in the past 71 million years. We’re overdue a flip. It could come soon , as the North Pole is moving at around 55 kilometres per year, an increase over the 15km per year up until 1990.
You can actually die laughing . And a number of people have , typically due to intense laughter causing a heart attack or suffocation. Comedy shows should come with a warning.
Chainsaws were first invented for childbirth . It was developed in Scotland in the late 18th Century to help aid and speed up the process of symphysiotomy (widening the pubic cartilage) and removal of disease-laden bone during childbirth. It wasn’t until the start of the 20th Century that we started using chainsaws for woodchopping.
Ants don’t have lungs . They instead breathe through spiracles , nine or ten tiny openings, depending on the species.
The T.rex likely had feathers . Scientists in China discovered Early Cretaceous period tyrannosaur skeletons that were covered in feathers . If the ancestors of the T. rex had feathers, the T. rex probably did, too.
Football teams wearing red kits play better . The colour of your clothes can affect how you’re perceived by others and change how you feel. A review of football matches in the last 55 years, for example, showed that teams wearing a red kit consistently played better in home matches than teams in any other colour.
Wind turbines kill between 10,000 and 100,000 birds each year in the UK . Interestingly, painting one of the blades of a wind turbine black can reduce bird deaths by 70 per cent .
Snails have teeth . Between 1,000 and 12,000 teeth, to be precise. They aren’t like ours , though, so don’t be thinking about snails with ridiculous toothy grins. You’ll find the snail's tiny 'teeth' all over its file-like tongue.
Sound can be minus decibels . The quietest place on Earth is Microsoft’s anechoic chamber in Redmond, WA, USA, at -20.6 decibels. These anechoic chambers are built out of heavy concrete and brick and are mounted on springs to stop vibrations from getting in through the floor.
A horse normally has more than one horsepower . A study in 1993 showed that the maximum power a horse can produce is 18,000W, around 24 horsepower.
Your signature could reveal personality traits . A study in 2016 purports that among men, a larger signature correlates with higher social bravado and, among women, a bigger signature correlates with narcissistic traits.
One in 18 people have a third nipple . Known as polythelia , the third nipple is caused by a mutation in inactive genes.
Bananas are radioactive . Due to being rich in potassium, every banana is actually slightly radioactive thanks to containing the natural isotope potassium-40. Interestingly, your body contains around 16mg of potassium-40, meaning you’re around 280 times more radioactive than a banana already. Any excess potassium-40 you gain from a banana is excreted out within a few hours.
There’s no such thing as a straight line . Zoom in close enough to anything and you’ll spot irregularities. Even a laser light beam is slightly curved.
Deaf people are known to use sign language in their sleep . A case study of a 71-year-old man with rapid eye movement disorder and a severe hearing impairment showed him using fluent sign language in his sleep , with researchers able to get an idea of what he was dreaming about thanks to those signs.
Finland is the happiest country on Earth. According to the World Happiness Report, it has been for six years in a row . It’s not really surprising, given that Finland is the home of Santa Claus, reindeer and one sauna for every 1.59 people.
Hippos can’t swim . Hippos really do have big bones, so big and dense, in fact, that they’re barely buoyant at all. They don’t swim and instead perform a slow-motion gallop on the riverbed or on the sea floor. In fact, hippos can even sleep underwater , thanks to a built-in reflex that allows them to bob up, take a breath, and sink back down without waking.
The Moon looks upside down in the Southern Hemisphere . Compared to the Northern Hemisphere, anyway. This means that the ‘Man in the Moon’ is upside down in the Southern Hemisphere and looks more like a rabbit .
You can yo-yo in space. In 2012, NASA astronaut Don Pettit took a yo-yo on board the International Space Station and demonstrated several tricks. It works because a yo-yo mainly relies on the laws of conservation of angular momentum to perform tricks, which, provided you keep the string taut, apply in microgravity too.
Not only plants photosynthesise. Algae (which are not plants) and some other organisms – including sea slugs and pea aphids – contain chlorophyll and can also take sunlight and turn it into an energy source.
You can be heavily pregnant and not realise . Cryptic pregnancies aren’t that uncommon , with 1 in 500 not recognised until at least halfway through and 1 in 2,500 not known until labour starts.
Bacteria on your skin cause your itches. Specifically, bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus can release a chemical that activates a protein in our nerves . This sends a signal from our skin to our brains, which our brain perceives as an itch.
Starfish don’t have bodies. Along with other echinoderms (think sea urchins and sand dollars), their entire bodies are technically classed as heads .
Somebody has been constipated for 45 days . In 2013, an unfortunate Indian woman had to undergo surgical removal of a faecal mass as large as a football .
You travel 2.5 million km a day around the Sun without realising . The Earth’s orbit travels around 2.5 million kilometres with respect to the Sun’s centre , and around 19 million km with respect to the centre of the Milky Way.
Fish form orderly queues in emergencies. When evacuating through narrow spaces in sketchy situations, schools of neon tetra fish queue so that they don’t collide or clog up the line. Scientists interpreted this behaviour as showing that fish can respect social rules even in emergency situations, unlike us humans.
There are more bacterial cells in your body than human cells . The average human is around 56 per cent bacteria. This was discovered in a 2016 study and is far less than the earlier estimates of 90 per cent. As bacteria are so light, however, by weight, each person is over 99.7 per cent human.
Most ginger cats are male . There are roughly three ginger male cats to one ginger female . This is because the ginger gene is found on the X chromosome, meaning female cats would require two copies of the gene to become ginger whilst males only need one.
Your nails grow faster in hot summer . This is probably due to increased blood supply to the fingertips . It could also be because you’re less stressed while on holiday so less likely to gnaw away at ‘em.
Insects can fly up to 3.25km above sea level, at least . Alpine bumblebees have been found living as high up as 3.25km above sea level and could even fly in lab conditions that replicate the air density and oxygen levels at 9km – that's just higher than Mount Everest.
There’s a planet mostly made from diamond . Called 55 Cancri e , it's around twice the size of Earth and some 40 light-years away from us within the Cancer constellation.
Animals can be allergic to humans . Animals can be allergic to our dead skin cells – dander. These allergic reactions can be just like ours, too, including breathing difficulties and skin irritation.
Being bored is actually a 'high arousal state' physiologically . This is because when you're bored your heart rate increases .
Platypuses sweat milk . This is because it doesn't have teats. Milk appears as sweat on a platypus, but it's an aquatic mammal so it doesn't actually sweat at all .
LEGO bricks withstand compression better than concrete . An ordinary plastic LEGO brick is able to support the weight of 375,000 other bricks before it fails. This, theoretically, would let you build a tower nearing 3.5km in height. Scaling this up to house-size bricks, however, would cost far too much .
Martial artists who smile before the start of a match are more likely to lose . This could be as a smile can convey fear or submissiveness .
It's almost impossible to get too much sugar from fresh fruit . While the sugar in fruit is mostly fructose and glucose (fructose is what's converted into fat in your body), you can't get too much sugar from fresh fruit . Fresh fruit contains a lot of fibre and water which slows down your digestion and makes you feel full.
You don't like the sound of your own voice because of the bones in your head . This may be because the bones in our head make our voice sound deeper .
A rainbow on Venus is called a glory . Appearing as a series of coloured concentric rings, these are caused by the interference of light waves within droplets , rather than the reflection, refraction and dispersion of light that makes a rainbow.
Protons look like peanuts, rugby balls, bagels, and spheres . Protons come in all different shapes and sizes , with their appearance changing based on the speed of smaller particles within them: Quarks.
Mirrors facing each other don't produce infinite reflections . Each reflection will be darker than the last and eventually fade into invisibility . Mirrors absorb a fraction of the energy of the light striking them. The total number of reflections mirrors can produce? A few hundred.
There might be a cure for 'evil' . Well, a cure for psychopathy, anyway. Psychologists argue that aspects of psychopathy can be 'cured' by cognitive behavioural therapy , which is said to reduce violent offences by those with the condition. Preliminary research suggests that computer-based cognitive training could help a psychopath experience empathy and regret, too.
All mammals get goosebumps . When your hair stands on end, tiny muscles contract at each hair's base which distorts the skin to create goosebumps. This process is called piloerection and is present in all mammals . Hair or fur is used to trap an insulating air layer.
Football players spit so much because exercise increases the amount of protein in saliva . When you exercise, the amount of protein secreted into the saliva increases. A protein mucus named MUC5B makes your saliva thicker when you're exercising which makes it more difficult to swallow so we tend to spit more. It may occur during exercise because we breathe through our mouths more. MUC5B could activate to stop our mouths from drying out, therefore.
Some animals display autistic-like traits . Autistic traits in animals include a tendency toward repetitive behaviour and atypical social habits.
The biggest butterfly in the world has a 31cm wingspan . It belongs to the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing butterfly, which you can find in the forests of the Oro Province, in the east of Papua New Guinea.
You remember more dreams when you sleep badly . Research suggests that if you sleep badly and wake up multiple times throughout the night you will be more likely to recall the content of any dreams you had. You are also more likely to remember a dream when woken from one.
You could sweat when you're anxious to alert others . One theory suggests we've evolved to sweat whilst anxious to alert the brains of other people around us so they are primed for whatever it is that's making us anxious. Brain scans have revealed that when you sniff the sweat of a panic-induced person, regions of the brain that handle emotional and social signals light up. When you're anxious your sympathetic nervous system releases hormones including adrenaline, which activates your sweat glands.
A lightning bolt is five times hotter than the surface of the Sun . The charge carried by a bolt of lightning is so intense that it has a temperature of 30,000°C (54,000°F).
The longest anyone has held their breath underwater is over 24.5 minutes . The world record for breath-holding underwater was achieved by Croatian Budimir Šobat on 27 March 2021, who held his breath for a total of 24 minutes and 37 seconds. On average, a human can hold their breath between 30-90 seconds.
The Moon is shrinking . But only very slightly – by about 50m (164ft) in radius over the last several hundred million years. Mysterious seismic activity, known as moonquakes, could be to blame.
Dogs tilt their heads when you speak to them to better pinpoint familiar words . Your dog is tilting its head when you speak to it to pinpoint where noises are coming from more quickly . This is done to listen out more accurately for familiar words such as 'walkies' and helps them to better understand the tone of your voice. If a dog doesn't tilt its head that often (as those with shorter muzzles might), it's because it relies less on sound and more on sight.
If the Earth doubled in size, trees would immediately fall over . This is because surface gravity would be doubled . It would also mean dog-size and larger animals would not be able to run without breaking a leg.
Mercury, not Venus, is the closest planet to Earth on average . On average, Mercury is 1.04 astronomical units (AU) away from Earth compared to the 1.14 AU average distance between Earth and Venus. One AU is equal to the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. Venus still comes closest to Earth as part of its orbit around the Sun, however.
Flamingoes aren’t born pink. They actually come into the world with grey/white feathers and only develop a pinkish hue after starting a diet of brine shrimp and blue-green algae.
You can smell ants . Many species of ants release strong-smelling chemicals when they’re angry, threatened or being squished. Trap-jaw ants release a chocolatey smell when annoyed, while citronella ants earn their name from the lemony odour they give off.
People who eat whatever they want and stay slim have a slow metabolism, not fast . A skinny person tends to have less muscle mass than others, meaning their basal metabolic rate (BMR) is lower than those of a high muscle mass – this gives them a slow metabolism, not a fast one .
Earth is 4.54 billion years old . Using radiometric dating, scientists have discovered that the Earth is 4.54 billion years old (give or take 50 million years). This makes our planet half the age of the Milky Way Galaxy (11-13 billion years old) and around a third of the age of the Universe (10-15 billion years old).
Electrons might live forever . Scientists have estimated the minimum lifetime of the electron is about 6.6 × 1028 years – this is 66,000 ‘yottayears’. Since this is about 5 quintillion times the age of the Universe, even if electrons don’t live forever, they may as well do!
Beavers don't actually live in dams . Technically, beavers live in a lodge that they build behind a dam, within a deep pool of water.
The average dinosaur lifespan was surprisingly small. The Tyrannosaurus rex , for example, reached full size between 16-22 years old and lived up until 27-33 . The largest dinosaurs such as the Brontosaurus and Diplodocus tended to live up to between 39-53 years old, maybe reaching the heights of 70.
Someone left a family photo on the Moon. When Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke landed on the Moon in 1972, he decided to leave behind a photo of him, his two sons and his wife. The photo remains on the Moon to this day.
It rains methane on Saturn’s largest moon. Titan is the only moon in our Solar System with a dense atmosphere and the only body except Earth with liquid rivers, lakes and seas fed by rainfall. This rainfall isn’t water, though; it's liquid methane.
Giraffes hum to communicate with each other. It’s thought that the low-frequency humming could be a form of ‘contact call’ between individuals who have been separated from their herd, helping them to find each other in the dark. Some researchers think they sleep talk too.
Glass sponges can live for 15,000 years. This makes them one of the longest-living organisms on Earth . The immortal jellyfish, however, could theoretically live forever (but scientists aren’t sure)
You have a 50 per cent chance of sharing a birthday with a friend. In any group of 23 people, two people will share a birthday , according to the maths. To find the probability of everyone in the group having a unique birthday, multiply all 23 probabilities together, giving 0.493. So the probability of a shared birthday is 1 - 0.493 = 0.507, or 50.7 per cent.
Murder rates rise in summer. Ever feel angry or in a bad mood when the weather is hot? Well, you’re not alone. Violent crime goes up in hotter weather, and in the US, murder rates reportedly rise by 2.7 per cent over the summer.
' New car smell' is a mix of over 200 chemicals. These include the sickly-sweet, toxic hydrocarbons benzene and toluene.
‘Sea level’ isn’t actually level. As the strength of the force generated by the Earth’s spin is strongest at the equator, the average sea level bulges outward there, putting it further from the centre of the Earth than at the poles. Differences in the strength of the Earth’s gravity at different points also cause variation.
You inhale 50 potentially harmful bacteria every time you breathe. Thankfully, your immune system is working hard all the time, so virtually all of these are promptly destroyed without you feeling a thing. Phew.
You can see stars as they were 4,000 years ago with the naked eye. Without a telescope, all the stars we can see lie within about 4,000 light-years of us . That means at most you’re seeing stars as they were 4,000 years ago, around when the pyramids were being built in Egypt.
Plants came before seeds. According to the fossil record, early plants resembled moss and reproduced with single-celled spores. Multicellular seeds didn’t evolve for another 150 million years.
Our dead cells are eaten by other cells in our body. Don’t worry; it’s meant to happen. When cells inside your body die , they’re scavenged by phagocytes – white blood cells whose job it is to digest other cells.
Smells can pass through liquid. Please don’t try smelling underwater (your nose will not appreciate it), but smell does protrude through liquid .
Bats aren’t blind. Despite the famous idiom, bats can indeed see , but they still use their even more famous echolocation to find prey.
Pine trees can tell if it's about to rain. Next time you see a pine cone, take a close look. If it’s closed, that’s because the air is humid , which can indicate rain is on its way.
You can’t fold a piece of A4 paper more than eight times. As the number of layers doubles each time, the paper rapidly gets too thick and too small to fold. The current world paper-folding record belongs to California high school student Britney Gallivan, who in 2002 managed to fold a 1.2km-long piece of tissue paper 12 times.
Laughing came before language. How do we know? Some researchers tickled baby apes, which, beyond being adorable, showed that they share the same structure as ours and likely arose in our common ancestors millions of years ago. Language came about much later .
Your brain burns 400-500 calories a day. That’s about a fifth of your total energy requirements . Most of this is concerned with the largely automatic process of controlling your muscles and processing sensory input, although some studies show solving tricky problems increases your brain's metabolic requirements too.
5 science "facts" that are completely wrong
Eight mind-blowing facts about cats, according to science
7 black hole "facts" that aren't true

Share this article

Who Invented Homework? 6 Fun Facts About Homework

Sourav Mahahjan

Homework and Exams are undeniably two of the biggest spoilsports in the vibrant school and college days. For a long time a fierce debate has ensued between students and teachers regarding exams and assignments. It even led to homework being banned in America for a brief period of time. Surprised? Well there are many more homework facts which will leave you astonished. Read on and enjoy exploring the history of the culprit behind your sleepless nights.

Who invented Homework?

Let’s begin by uncovering the homework inventor. The person every student is looking for. So, according to popular theories homework was invented by an educator called Roberto Nevelis. However, there is no exact evidence for this information. Several sources have linked the origins of homework back to Greek periods and some have held Horace Mann as the inventor of homework.

It is believed that Roman orator Pliny asked students to practise public speaking at home. Coming to Horace Mann, he was a politician and educational reformer in Germany. He emphasized on compulsory public education as a means to strengthen the newly unified state of Germany. Assignments were made mandatory for pupils at public schools. The larger motive behind it, as stated by sources, was to establish the nation's power over individuals.

Now that you have got to know the makers of home assignments, it's the time to explore some cool and funny facts about homework. Try not to smile!

Some Facts About Homework:

Homework was banned for 17 years in California -from 1901 to 1917- considering it as detrimental to students' health.
In 1930, an organization known as the American Child Health Association declared that homework was a type of child labor
During the cold war era, US promoted homework to ensure that American students don’t fall behind their Russian counterparts.
Several books have been published arguing against the notion of giving homework -
‘The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning’ by education professor Dr. Etta Kralovec and journalist John Buell (2000)
‘The Case Against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It’ by Sarah Bennett and Nancy Kalish (2006)
‘The Battle Over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents’ (Third Edition) by Duke University psychologist Dr. Harris Cooper (2007)
A study by Stanford University found that 56% of students see homework as their primary source of stress.
A source has stated that 73% of parents admit that homework is the most common cause of family arguments

Do you also want to know the reasons behind creating this additional task for students? Read on.

Why was homework invented?

The initial intentions behind assigning homework for students were quite progressive. However, with time the concept lost its essence and currently it is again under a controversy. Let’s understand the motives for initiating assignments.

1. Practice

It was found that students seldom practise what has been taught in class hours outside the classroom. That is why the system of allotting home assignments was started. It encouraged the habit of practising that in turn helped in better learning and understanding of concepts.

2. Retention

Another side effect of the lack of practice was that students mostly forgot what was taught in the previous class by the time of the next lecture. Doing homework firmly established the learnings of the class in children’s minds and improved retention until the next class.

3. Reinforces learning

Giving home tasks aids with revision of lessons. It backs the classwork and strengthens the foundation. Good assignments also allow further exploration of concepts and expand the knowledge horizons of students.

4. Help in achieving good grades

Researchers have found out that students who practice classwork at home for 1-2 hours achieve higher grades than those who don’t. The simple reason is that reworking on what is done in class cements the understanding of theories and helps with retention.

5. Self-motivated learning

One of the important advantages of assignments is that it instigates students to become responsible in their academics. It was assumed that the problems of time constraints and limited personal attention were solved if students were inspired to learn on their own and get better at studies.

These reasons hold true as strong advantages of homework even in the present times. However, students and parents have also had their fair share of say against the practice of giving home assignments.

Drawbacks of homework:

1. causes stress and anxiety in students.

Students have repeatedly complained of homework becoming an additional burden resulting in increased stress and anxiety. The high difficulty level of assignments lead to the development of self-doubts in students and lower their morale. Besides unrealistic time periods allotted for assignments give rise to frustration and hopelessness in children.

2. Has become a medium for teachers to avert their responsibility

It has been observed and brought to notice by parents that homework often becomes a scapegoat for teachers who complete a limited amount of classwork in school time and give large chunks of syllabus for self study. It lowers the quality of education and leaves students in lurch.

3. Inhibits development of other skills

As home tasks eat up a lot of children's time, they do not get a chance to explore their hidden talents and learn other skills like sports or creative arts. Taking a larger view, it cuts through all-round development of young pupils and makes them book worms only.

4. Less value

More often than not, the assignments given have little to no value in personal or academic growth of students. Children are forced to engage in activities that do not interest them just for the sake of marks.

To sum up, it suffices to say that while giving homework is not a bad practice altogether, attention should be paid regarding the kind of homework given to students. The assignments should reinforce the learnings, allow exploration and hold value for students. It should lead to positive growth rather than becoming a mere burden on young minds.

If you are struggling with completing your assignments, we at The Assignment Ninjas are here to help you out. Our board consists of well-experienced writers who hold specializations in their respective fields. We can compose a high quality plagiarism-free paper for you in as less as 6 hours. So give your assignment load to us and continue enjoying your school and college days!

Editor's Choice

200 best 5 minute speech topic ideas, 45+ experimental research topics and examples for school & college students, 200+ transition words for essays, 50+ best research topics on humanities & social sciences, 15+ most useful websites for college students in 2023, how to make a cover page for the assignment, 100+ latest persuasive speech topics & ideas for 2023.

We are here to help you!

Explore Topics

Important Parts of A Common Research Paper

What is a research paper?A research paper is an essay that helps demonstrate a s...

Basic VS Applied Research: The Difference

IntroductionApplied and fundamental research generally focuses on existing knowl...

What Are Related Studies In Research? How It Is Helpful For PHD And Masters Students?

After selecting a particular field of study, one of the most challenging challen...

100 History Facts They Didn’t Teach You At School

A singing birthday card has more computer power in it than the entire allied army of wwii..

100 Crazy History Facts They Didn't Teach You In School

The history facts they teach you in school are interesting, sure, but everyone knows that stuff. It’s the facts not many people know that make history truly interesting!

For example, did you know that the longest year in history was over 400 days long?! And did you know that Hitler helped design a vehicle that we still drive today?

It makes you wonder how many things about the world’s history you actually know…

Well, here we’d like to educate you on some of the lesser-known history facts that they don’t teach you at school!

Prepare to be amused & amazed with this huge round-up of the top 100 craziest history facts you could ever know!

Augustus Caesar was the wealthiest man to ever live in history.

The nephew and heir of Julius Caesar, Roman Emperor Augustus, had an estimated net worth of $4.6 trillion when counting for inflation.

Some say that Mansa Musa, king of Timbuktu, was the world’s wealthiest man as his wealth was apparently too great to count.

However, Augustus’s staggering wealth could be measured.

Alexander the Great was buried alive… accidentally.

At age 32, when he died, Alexander the Great had conquered and created the largest land-based empire the world has ever seen. It stretched from the Balkans to Pakistan.

In 323 BC, Alexander fell ill, and after 12 days of excruciating pain, he seemingly passed away.

However, his corpse didn’t show any signs of rot or decomposition for a whole six days.

Modern-day scientists believe Alexander suffered from the neurological disorder Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

They believe that when he “died,” he was actually just paralyzed and mentally aware. Basically, he was horrifically buried alive!

The world’s most successful pirate in history was a lady.

The world’s most successful pirate was a lady.

Named Ching Shih, she was a prostitute in China. This was until the Commander of the Red Flag Fleet bought and married her.

But rather than just viewing her as a wife, her husband considered her his equal, and she became an active pirate commander in the fleet.

Ching Shih soon earned the respect of her fellow pirates. So much so that after her husband’s death, she became the captain of the fleet.

Under Shih’s leadership, the Red Flag Fleet consisted of over 300 warships, with a possible 1,200 more support ships. She even had a possible 40,000 – 80,000 men, women, and children.

They terrorized the waters around China . The Red Flag Fleet was such a fearsome band of raiders that the Chinese government eventually pardoned Ching Shih and her entire fleet – just to get them off the high seas!

In the Ancient Olympics, athletes performed naked.

The athletes did this to imitate the Gods but also to help them easily clear toxins from their skin through sweating after each attempt at a sport.

In fact, the word “gymnastics” comes from the Ancient Greek words “gumnasía” (“athletic training, exercise”) and “gumnós” (“naked”).

This translates as “to train naked.”

Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times.

Julius Caesar is probably the most iconic name associated with the Romans. Likewise, his assassination and death are also highly notorious.

Due to his coup d’état of the Roman Republic and his proclamation of himself as Dictator for Life, along with his radical political views, a group of his fellow Roman senators led by his best friend Brutus assassinated him on March 15 , 44 BC.

During the assassination, Caesar was stabbed at least 23 times before finally succumbing to his wounds.

He passed away with fabled words to his former best friend Brutus, allegedly being, “you too, sweet child?”

The Colosseum was originally clad entirely in marble.

When you visit or see the Colosseum these days, you’ll notice how the stone exterior appears to be covered in pockmarks all across its surface.

Whilst you might assume this is just a degradation of the material due to its age, it is actually because it was originally clad almost entirely in marble.

The reason for the pockmarks is after the fall of Rome; the city was looted and pillaged by the Goths. Yes, that’s right, the Goths!

They took all of the marble from the Colosseum and stripped it (mostly) down to its bare stone setting.

The holes in the stone are from where the iron clamps and poles attaching the marble cladding to it have been ripped out.

It was named the Colosseum because it was next to a statue called the Colossus.

It was only called the Colosseum because it was next to a statue called the Colossus.

It was originally known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, or Flavian Amphitheatre, as it was constructed during the Flavian dynasty.

Residents of Rome nicknamed it the Colosseo.

This was due to the fact that it was built next to a 164-foot statue of Emperor Nero known as “the colossus of Nero.”

Rasputin survived being poisoned and shot.

Rasputin survived being poisoned and being shot.

Grigori Rasputin was a Russian mystic and supposed holy man. He became friends with the last Russian Tsar and Tsarina. Over time, he came to influence the Russian royals, much to the displeasure of many members of the Russian nobility.

This, combined with his drunkenness and lechery, led to several Russian nobles forming a plot to assassinate the man.

They invited him over to one of their houses, gave him cakes and wine laced with cyanide, all to no effect, and then shot him in the chest.

To their horror, Rasputin started to cough, and they realized he was still alive!

How did they fix the problem? The nobles shot Rasputin two more times – once in the head. Finally, they threw his body into the frozen Malaya Nevka River.

There were female Gladiators.

A female gladiator was called a Gladiatrix, or Gladiatrices (plural). They were rarer than their male counterparts.

Gladiatrices served the same purpose of executing criminals, fighting each other, and fighting animals in Rome’s various fighting pits.

The Vikings were the first Europeans to discover America.

The Vikings were the first people to discover America.

Half a millennium before Christopher Columbus “discovered” America, Viking chief Leif Eriksson of Greenland landed on the Island of Newfoundland in the year 1,000 AD.

The Vikings under Leif Eriksson settled Newfoundland as well as discovering and settling Labrador further north in Canada.

The Luftwaffe had a master interrogator whose tactic was being as nice as possible.

Hanns Scharff was a master interrogator who was very much against physical torture and brutality.

His techniques were so successful that the US military later incorporated his methods into their own interrogation schools.

Scharff’s best tactics for squeezing information out of prisoners included: nature walks without guards present, baking them homemade food, cracking jokes, drinking beers, and afternoon tea with German fighter aces.

He even took trips to visit fellow POWs and swimming pool parties. And on some rare occasions, even test flights of German fighter aircraft.

In Ancient Asia, death by elephant was a popular form of execution.

As elephants are very intelligent and easy to train, it proved easy enough to train them as executioners and torturers.

They could be taught to slowly break bones, crush skulls, twist off limbs, or even execute people using large blades fitted to their tusks.

In some parts of Asia, this method of execution was still popular up to the late 19 th Century.

The UK government collected postcards as intelligence for the D-Day landings.

Starting in 1942, the BBC issued a public appeal for postcards and photographs of mainland Europe’s coast, from Norway to the Pyrenees.

This was an intelligence-gathering exercise. Initiated by Lieutenant General Frederick Morgan, he was searching for the hardest beaches to defend.

The postcards were sent to the War Office and helped form part of the decision to choose Normandy as the location for the eventual D-Day landings.

When Marcus Crassus died, molten gold was poured down his throat.

Marcus Licinius Crassus was known as the wealthiest man in Rome during his life.

The son of a Consul of Rome, Crassus fought in Sulla’s Civil War, played a key part in defeating Spartacus and ending the Third Servile War, and formed the first Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.

A shrewd man, throughout all he did, Crassus accumulated more and more wealth – and it was his thirst for wealth that would eventually lead to his downfall.

Leading his troops in an ill-fated conquest of Parthia (modern-day Iran), Crassus and his forces were brutalized and bested by the Parthians time and time again.

After an unsuccessful parley for peace with the Parthian leaders, Crassus was killed. The Parthians poured molten gold down his throat as a symbol of his thirst for wealth.

Some even say that his gilded head and hands were sent to the Parthian King to keep as trophies of his victory against Crassus and Rome.

Germany uncovers 2,000 tons of unexploded bombs every year.

Germany uncover 2,000 tons of unexploded bombs every year.

Over the course of WWII, the Allied armies dropped roughly 2.7 million tons of bombs over Nazi-occupied Europe. Half of that landed in Germany.

Before any construction work can begin in Germany, the ground must undergo extensive surveys to look for unexploded ordinances.

Sometimes bombs are discovered naturally. One example was from 2011…

45,000 people were evacuated from their homes when a drought revealed a 4,000-pound “blockbuster” bomb lying on the bed of the River Rhine in the middle of Koblenz.

In Ancient Greece, wearing skirts was manly.

In fact, the Ancient Greeks viewed trousers as effeminate and would mock any men who wore them.

A singing birthday card has more computer power in it than the entire Allied Army of World War II.

I bet Hitler , Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt would have killed to get their hands on one of those cards!

The computer chip within them was so powerful by comparison that it would be inconceivable to the leaders of that time how we simply throw them away!

In 1386, a pig was executed in France.

There wasn’t a great detail of civil rights in the Middle Ages, and as it turns out, there weren’t a great of animal rights either. So much so that they were even subject to human justice.

One such case happened in Falaise, France , where a pig attacked a child’s face and went on to later die from their wounds.

The pig was arrested, kept in prison, and then sent to court where it stood trial for murder, was found guilty and then executed by hanging!

Cleopatra’s reign was closer to the moon landings than the Great Pyramid being built.

This is one of those facts that give you some impression of just how expansive the life of the Egyptian Empire truly was.

Cleopatra reigned from 51 BC to 30 BC, roughly 2,500 years after the Great Pyramid of Giza was built (between roughly 2580 BC – 2560 BC) and roughly 2,000 years before the first lunar landings in 1969.

Shrapnel is named after its inventor.

British Army Officer Henry Shrapnel was the first person to invent an anti-personnel shell that could transport a large number of bullets to its target before releasing them.

This was all at a far greater distance than the current rifle fire at the time.

Since 1945, all British tanks have been equipped with tea-making facilities.

Since 1945, all British tanks are equipped with tea-making facilities.

Before this time, British tank crews had to exit their armored vehicles when they wanted to make a quick coffee.

On the road to Caen in 1944, a German Tiger tank ambushed and destroyed a parked column of almost thirty armored British vehicles in 15 minutes whilst the crew was having an impromptu tea break.

This made the British high command realize if tank crews could make a brew on the go, then they wouldn’t be susceptible to being caught with their pants down and their kettles out by the enemy.

So after this, the next British-designed battle tank, the Centurion, came with a boiler fitted to the interior powered by the tank’s electric circuits so the crew would never be short of a lovely warm cup of tea!

During World War I, the French built a “fake Paris.”

Complete with a replica of Champs-Elysées and Gard Du Nord, this “fake Paris” was built by the French towards the end of WWI. It was built as a means of throwing off German bombers and fighter pilots flying over French skies.

It also even had a fake railway that lit up at certain points to provide the illusion from above of a train moving along the tracks!

The Eastern Roman Empire’s weapon, called Greek Fire, was used in ship-mounted flamethrowers.

The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire had a weapon called Greek Fire they used in ship-mounted flamethrowers.

The secret of how to make Greek Fire was lost with the fall of the Roman Empire. This weapon is so unique and deadly due to the fact that throwing water onto it would only feed the fire. It was almost gelatinous in texture and would stick to things.

It was mostly used in naval warfare, as the large flamethrowers needed for its projectile use could be better accommodated by ships rather than infantry.

The Greek Fire would easily demolish a fleet of wood and canvas ships floating on water.

An ancient text called the Voynich Manuscript still baffles scientists.

There is an ancient text called the Voynich Manuscript that scientists still can’t figure out.

Hand-written in an unknown language, the Voynich Manuscript has been carbon-dated to roughly 1404 – 1438.

Some of the pages are missing, and some of them are foldable pull-out pages, while most pages have illustrations.

Hundreds of cryptographers and master codebreakers have tried to decipher it over the years, with none succeeding in grasping its meaning or origin.

A Japanese fighter pilot once dropped wreaths over the ocean to commemorate the dead from both sides.

During a sea battle in the Pacific Ocean in December 1940, two Royal Navy ships, the HMS Prince of Wales and the HMS Repulse, were sunk by Japanese fighters.

The following day, Japanese Flight Lieutenant Haruki Iki flew to the location of the battle and dropped two wreaths over the seas.

One to commemorate the pilots of the Japanese Naval Air Force who died. The other is for the sailors of the British Navy, who fought so valiantly to defend their ships.

4% of the Normandy beaches are made up of shrapnel from the D-Day Landings.

4% of the sand on the Normandy beaches is made up of broken up shrapnel from the D-Day Landings.

More than 5,000 tons of bombs were dropped by the Allies on the Axis powers as part of the prelude to the Normandy landings.

Scientists have studied the sand on the beaches of Normandy, and they’ve found microscopic bits of smoothed-down shrapnel from the landings.

They estimate that, within 150 years, the beach will have fully lost any remaining shrapnel to rust and erosion.

The saying “fly off the handle” originates from the 1800s.

It’s a saying that refers to cheap axe heads flying off their handles when swung backward before a chop.

“Fox Tossing” was once a popular sport.

Popular with Europe’s aristocracy during the 17 th and 18 th centuries, fox tossing would involve a person – or a couple – throwing a fox as far and as high as they could!

Turkeys were once worshiped as Gods.

The Mayan people believed turkeys were the vessels of the Gods and honored them with worship.

They were even domesticated to have roles in religious rites!

Captain Morgan was a real guy.

He was also a real captain, too!

The face of the much-loved rum brand was a Welsh privateer who fought against the Spanish alongside the English in the Caribbean.

His full name was Sir Henry Morgan, and he was knighted by King Charles II.

Captain Morgan died in 1688 in Jamaica as a very wealthy man.

Genghis Khan was tolerant of all religions.

Back then, the world was a very intolerant place. More often than not, conquering warlords and emperors weren’t open to religions other than their own.

Genghis Khan was very different from other conquerors, though, in many different ways.

One was his interest in learning philosophical and moral lessons from other religions.

Despite being a Tengrist, he often consulted with Buddhist monks, Muslims, Christian missionaries, and Taoist monks.

Thomas Edison didn’t invent most of the stuff he patented.

It’s fair to say that Edison was one of the world’s most notorious intellectual property thieves.

Of the 1,093 things he smashed a patent on, he stole most of them off real geniuses like Nikola Tesla , Wilhelm Rontgen, and Joseph Swan – the latter of whom originally invented the lightbulb!

Albert Einstein turned down the presidency of Israel.

Einstein wasn’t a citizen of Israel. However, he was Jewish. The German-born physicist was offered the post but turned it down in 1952, saying:

“I am deeply moved by the offer from our State of Israel, and at once saddened and ashamed that I cannot accept it. All my life I have dealt with objective matters, hence I lack both the natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people and to exercise official functions.”

Roman Emperor Caligula made one of his favorite horses a senator.

If you didn’t know anything about Caligula, then this is a pretty good way to get the impression.

He was infamous for his brutality and madness. Caligula fed criminals to animals and had conversations with the moon.

He loved his horse – called Incitatus – so much that he gave him a marble stall, an ivory manger, a jeweled collar, and even a house!

Caligula made his horse a senator and allegedly planned to make him Consul before his assassination.

Pope Gregory IX declared war on cats.

He declared cats to be agents of devil worshippers. Not all cats, though; it was black moggies in particular.

The Pope declared that they should be exterminated.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was never straight.

Known worldwide for its four degrees lean, this freestanding bell tower was constructed in the 12 th Century.

When construction on the second story started, due to the unstable ground it was built on, the tower started to lean.

After this, the lean only increased as the construction process went on, and it went on to become more iconic than the tower itself!

During the Great Depression, people made clothes out of food sacks.

People used flour bags, potato sacks, and anything made out of burlap.

Because of this, food distributors started to make their sacks more colorful to help people remain a little bit fashionable.

Lord Byron kept a bear in his college dorm.

The famous Romantic-period poet was peeved when he found out that Trinity College, Cambridge, didn’t allow dogs on campus.

So, to rebel against the man’s draconian rules, he decided to bring a tame bear with him to campus.

Whilst the college’s authorities tried to protest, he won his case as the rules didn’t explicitly state you couldn’t bring a bear to campus.

To parade his victory and gloat to the powers that be, Byron often took his bear for walks around campus on a lead!

Iceland has the world’s oldest parliament in history.

Called the Althing, it was established in 930 and has stayed as the acting parliament of Iceland since then.

Since the end of WWI, over 1,000 people have died from leftover unexploded bombs.

During the Great War, an estimated 200 pounds of explosives were fired per square foot of territory on the Western front. However, not all of these shells exploded.

Every year since the end of the war, something called an “iron harvest” takes place.

This is the annual “harvest” or unearthing of unexploded WWI bombs. As well as grenades, artillery shells, and other explosives which occur mainly during the spring planting and autumn harvest in the fields that were once the Great War’s arena.

Since 1919, over 1,000 civilians and ordnance collectors have died from explosions caused by these in France and Belgium.

46 BC was 445 days long and is the longest year in human history.

Nicknamed the annus confusionis , or “year of confusion,” this year had two extra leap months inserted by Julius Caesar.

This was in order to make his newly-formed Julian Calendar match up with the seasonal year.

This calendar is a variation that is still used in most places across the world today.

100 million years ago, the Sahara Desert was inhabited by galloping crocodiles.

Back then, the Sahara Desert was a lush plain full of life – and also full of predators.

In 2009, fossil hunters found the remains of crocodiles. These remains had large land-going legs that were capable of galloping across the land at breakneck speeds.

They could easily snap up unlucky dinosaurs in their jaws!

During the Victorian period, it was normal to photograph relatives after they died.

People would dress their newly-deceased relatives in their best clothing and then put them in lifelike poses and photograph them.

They did this to preserve one last image of their dead loved one in a strange form of commemoration.

One man survived both the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and then later Nagasaki.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was a 29-year-old Naval Engineer on a three-month business trip to Hiroshima. On August 6 , 1945, the Enola Gay dropped its atomic payload on the city.

Yamaguchi was less than 2 miles from ground zero and was thrown into a potato patch. He survived the blast and was able to make a perilous journey through the devastated city to the railway station.

Here, on August 7 th , he boarded a train on an overnight ride to his hometown of Nagasaki.

On the morning of August 9 th , he was with some colleagues in an office building when another boom split the sound barrier. A flash of white light filled the sky.

Yamaguchi emerged from the wreckage with only minor injuries on top of his current injuries. He had survived two nuclear blasts in two days.

The shortest war in history lasted 38 minutes.

Fought between Britain and Zanzibar and known as the Anglo-Zanzibar War, this war occurred on August 27 , 1896.

It was all over the ascension of the next Sultan in Zanzibar and resulted in a British victory.

Before the 19 th Century, dentures were made from dead soldiers’ teeth.

Dentistry in 1815 wasn’t exactly as… “intricate” as it is today. In fact, it was downright savage!

After the Battle of Waterloo, dentists flocked to the battlefield to scavenge teeth from the tens of thousands of dead soldiers.

They then took their bounty to their dental workshops are crafted them into dentures for toothless rich people.

Tug of War used to be an Olympic sport.

It was part of the Olympic schedule between 1900 and 1920 and occurred at 5 different Summer Olympic Games .

The nation to win the most medals in this was Britain with 5 (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), then the USA with 3 (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), while Sweden had one gold medal, France and the Netherlands had one silver medal, and Belgium won a bronze medal.

People were buried alive so often that bells were attached to their coffins.

People used to be buried alive so often they had bells attached to their coffins.

Due to medicine not being so great, comatose people were sometimes mistakenly buried alive.

In order to counteract these potential blunders, people were buried with little bells above ground. These bells were attached to a string, which went into the coffin.

If the person were buried alive and later woke up, they would tug on the string that would ring the bell above ground.

Someone would hear it and then dig the person out of their premature resting place.

The term “saved by the bell” does not originate from people being buried alive.

Because of bells attached to coffins back in the day, people wrongly assume that the term “saved by the bell” comes from people being saved by these coffin bells.

However, the term actually comes from boxing.

It comes from being saved from a knockout or countdown by the ring of a bell, which signals the end of the current round.

George Washington didn’t have wooden teeth.

It’s often said that George Washington had wooden teeth, however, this is as false as the dentures he actually wore.

George had luxury dentures that were made out of gold, lead, and ivory, as well as being a mixture of animal and human teeth !

During a Roman Triumph, soldiers sang lewd songs about their commander to amuse the crowds.

A Roman Triumph was a sort of parade. During this, a Roman General who had conquered new territory for Rome marched through the streets with his troops.

They showed off the spoils of war in front of huge crowds of partygoing spectators.

There were many customs that occurred during a Triumph. One of which was for the returning Roman soldiers to sing crude and banter-like chants about their commanders to the amusement of the crowds.

One that survived history is from Julius Caesar’s Gallic Triumph. His soldiers sang something like: “ Romans hide away your wives, the bald adulterer is here. We drank away your gold in Gaul, and now we’ve come to borrow more!”

Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs used their slaves as flycatchers.

They would lather their slaves in honey, which would serve a dual purpose of attracting any flies to their slaves rather than themselves, as well as trapping and killing the flies.

In Ancient Rome, urine was used as a mouthwash.

In Ancient Rome, urine was often used as mouthwash.

This is because urine contains a very high ammonia content, and ammonia is one of the most powerful and readily available natural cleaners on this planet!

In the Victorian era, men with mustaches used special cups.

In the Victorian era, men with moustaches used special cups.

As a Brit, this is probably my favorite historical fact on this list!

Pragmatically called “mustache cups,” these specially-made mugs had guards on them, which prevented a man’s mustache from dipping into their warm cup of tea!

The earliest-ever lottery was during the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 – 187 BC.

Although it’s not exactly known what the prizes were, it’s believed that Chinese citizens of this era could draw keno slips (in the way one draws straws) for a nominal fee.

This lottery was created to help fund major government projects, including the construction of the Great Wall of China .

The Roman lottery’s prizes were known and were damn savage at times.

Created by Emperor Augustus Caesar for the same reason, to fund government projects such as repair works, the Roman lottery came with prizes that were objects that usually varied in value.

Pretty tame, right? Well, one Roman Emperor’s lottery prizes weren’t so friendly at all.

Elagabalus, who reigned between 218 & 222 AD, was known for his cruel running of the lottery. At first, his lottery was pretty brilliant and had prizes such as slaves or houses.

However, not long into his reign, he started having lottery tickets catapulted into crowds of gathered plebs.

He also catapulted live freakin’ venomous snakes into the crowd along with the lottery tickets! The prizes tended to be things like dead animals and death sentences. Even goddamn wasps and bees.

It should come as no surprise that he made for a pretty nasty emperor and was assassinated after four years at the age of 18!

Spartans were so rich that nobody had to work.

Ancient Sparta, during its Classical Age, was an immensely wealthy country. A large part of this was down to their use of Helots, the enslaved population of the territories rules by Sparta.

When a Spartan boy reached adulthood and became a man, the Spartan state awarded him with an allotment of public farmland. They also rewarded him with a constituent of Helot slaves to work it.

This basically turned every Spartan citizen into a wealthy member of the conventional upper class. So they didn’t have to work for a living.

Still, private property existed, which is important because…

Spartan women owned most of the land and wealth in Sparta.

Spartan inheritance law was crazy progressive compared to the rest of Ancient Greek inheritance law. When a Spartan man died, his public state-given farmland went back to the state. However, his private land would go to his wife.

A lot of husbands died young in Sparta due to their militaristic culture, and when they did, their widows would often grow their inheritance over the course of their life before their own deaths.

Upon their deaths, their land would pass equally to both their male and female children.

So, a young woman who married a wealthy man would most likely inherit his fortune young. Then inherit their mother’s fortune and grow their own, becoming super ultra-rich.

They would then pass that on to their children and on and on, creating a crazy snowball inheritance effect.

The University of Oxford is older than the Aztec Empire.

Mind-boggling as though it may seem, the University of Oxford first opened its doors to students all the way back in 1096.

It became a fully-fledged university with student housing and a specific curriculum by 1249.

By comparison, the Aztec Empire is said to have originated with the founding of the city of Tenochtitlán at Lake Texcoco by the Mexica, which occurred in the year 1325.

The World War II army of the US is the biggest army in history.

The World War II army of the US is the is the biggest army in history.

Due in part to the surge of wartime patriotism and in part because of conscription, the US Army numbered 12,000,000 soldiers by the end of the war in 1945.

By 1943, the German military had reached 11,000,000 soldiers.

By the end of the war, the Soviet Union’s army (as formidable as it was) also reached 11 million soldiers.

Only 6 people died in the Great Fire of London.

The great fire of 1666 apparently traces its way to a baker’s oven and caused massive damage across the city of London.

However, despite destroying over 13,500 houses and displacing 80,000 people, it only claimed the lives of 6 unlucky Londoners.

Count Dracula was inspired by a real person.

When Bram Stoker released his iconic horror classic in 1897, it was hailed as “the most blood-curdling novel of the paralyzed century” and terrified audiences worldwide.

However, the titular Count was based on none other than history’s own Vlad the Impaler.

As the ruling monarch of Wallachia, a Romanian region of Transylvania, Vlad soon made a fearsome reputation for himself by killing and impaling the still-twitching bodies of his enemies on long sticks which he planted outside his castle and all around his lands.

After Vlad’s eventual death at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, the history of his descendants is murky, which is what inspired Bram Stoker’s character of Count Dracula .

The most prolific female serial killer was a Hungarian Countess.

Named Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed, she was born on August 7 , 1560. She was accused of torturing and killing over 650 young women. Most of the women were between the ages of 10 and 14.

Her cruelty was limitless. She regularly bathed in the blood of virgins to preserve her youthful looks.

After facing accusations from many people, smallfolk and nobles alike, she was detained. However, she did not face trial due to her family’s aristocratic high standing.

Instead, she was privately imprisoned in a windowless room for four years until she died in 1614.

For 12 years during the French Revolutionary Period, France had a whole new calendar.

Not just that, but they also had a whole new timekeeping system too! Between 1793 and 1805, the ruling French government used the French Republican Calendar to remove all religious and royalist ties to the old calendar.

It was also part of a wider effort to decimalize France in terms of time, currency and metrication.

The French Republican Calendar had 10-hour days, with 100 minutes to an hour and 100 seconds to a minute.

Whilst this crazy calendar did have 12 months, each one of these months was 30 days. They were all given new names that reflected a meaning for each season.

For example, one in winter was named Nivôse, which is Latin for “snow.”

Genghis Khan created one of the first international postal systems.

Genghis Khan created one the first international postal systems.

One of the reasons the great Khan’s Mongol army was so lethal is because of their fluid and flexible makeup, as well as their vast communication capabilities.

One of his earliest decrees as Khan was to establish a mounted courier service called the “Yam.”

The “Yam” grew into a military postal service spanning multiple borders, complete with a network of post houses and waystations across the whole of his Empire.

During WWII, the British & Soviets launched a joint invasion of neutral Iran.

During World War II, the British and Soviets launched a joint invasion of neutral Iran.

What could both the Brits and Ruskies want with this Middle-Eastern neutral country, you ask? C’mon, don’t be that guy.

It’s Iran, for crying out loud. They wanted all of that oil – that sweet, sweet oil – and they got it!

By invading the country in 1941 during Operation Countenance, they were jointly able to secure the Iranian oilfields, as well as a secure supply line for the Allied forces.

One in 200 men are direct descendants of Genghis Khan.

The Mongolian Emperor was known for siring many, many children – at least 11!

Scientists conducted a study in 2003 that showed that one in 200 men share a Y chromosome with the conqueror.

This may not sound like a lot, but you should consider that there are roughly 3.7 billion men on the planet.

That makes a total of around 19 million men ancestors of the Great Khan!

Russia ran out of vodka when celebrating the end of World War II.

Russia ran out of vodka celebrating the end of World War II.

If you ask somebody to name things that are quintessentially Russian, they’ll probably say winter, communism, and, of course, vodka.

It should come as no surprise that, after being punched almost all the way to Moscow by the Nazis and then fighting their way back to Berlin, the Russians were pretty elated when they heard the news of the Third Reich’s fall.

Jubilation and street parties engulfed the Soviet Union, lasting for days and days – even non-drinkers saw this as cause enough to join in with the revelry.

That is, until all of the nation’s vodka reserves ran out. A mere 22 hours after the partying started.

There were “dance marathons” during the Great Depression.

It wasn’t exactly a means of keeping the American spirit up through the darkest financial crisis in its history, either.

These human endurance contests served as a way of giving broke married couples a roof over their head and food to eat for a few days.

The dance partners would take turns sleeping while the other propped them up and continued dancing with them.

The Circus Maximus in Rome is still one of the largest capacity sports arena ever built.

The Circus Maximum in Rome is still the largest capacity sports arena ever built.

It was used for the execution of prisoners like Christian and Jewish people, part of the Roman Triumph, along with chariot racing.

Historians believe the Circus Maximus could hold between 150,000 – 250,000 people at any given time.

This means that it could hold more spectators than India ‘s Narendra Modi Stadium– the world’s largest capacity stadium – which can hold roughly 132,000 people.

The fastest surgeon ever ended up causing a 300% mortality rate.

Before anesthesia, speed was essential when performing surgery to minimize pain to the patient. Surgeon Robert Liston was considered “the fastest knife in the West.” He was a pioneer in speed surgery.

One time, when performing a battlefield amputation in front of a group of spectators, Liston cut through his patient’s leg so quickly that he accidentally cut the fingers off his assistant.

One man who witnessed the surgery was also caught by the doctor’s knife. Upon feeling it tug on his coat and seeing blood splash on him, he collapsed and died of a heart attack.

Then, to make matters worse, Liston’s patient and his assistant died of blood poisoning from their joint amputation.

This made Liston the only surgeon ever to have performed surgery with a 300% mortality rate!

Adolf Hitler’s nephew fought against the Nazis in World War II.

Born to the Führer’s half-brother Alois Hitler Jr. and his Irish wife Bridget Dowling in Liverpool, England, William Patrick Hitler (later William Patrick Stuart-Houston) moved from the UK to Germany but later in life moved to the US.

During the Second World War, he was drafted into the United States Navy, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman throughout the war until 1947.

He was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart, and went on to gain American citizenship.

Charles Darwin invented his own wheeled office chair.

Although office chairs that were wheeled were already in production, they were not comfortable or in any way as ergonomic as what we have nowadays.

So, Darwin did something radical with his luxury armchair. The man was a renowned workaholic, and when he wasn’t collecting specimens or eating them, he was sat down studying them and making notes.

He found that, in his study or lab area, he would have to go through the rigmarole of walking about the office from bench to bench, desk to desk.

So, to maximize his productivity and save him some valuable study time, he decided to attach wheels to his luxurious armchair.

The first official Medals of Honor were awarded during the American Civil War.

They were awarded to Union soldiers who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862.

Volunteers of the Union Army, led by James J. Andrews, snuck in deep behind Confederate lines, commandeered an armored train, and took it northward towards Tennessee, wreaking havoc on their Confederate foes along the way.

Hollywood moved from New York to Los Angeles to escape Edison’s patents.

Hollywood is globally recognized as the movie capital of the world. Yet it wasn’t always so. The movie industry was originally based in New York in the 1800s, which was close to New Jersey – and New Jersey was where patent master Thomas Edison was based.

Edison had patents on over 1,000 different things, including most of the technology needed to make high-end movies, and boy, did he flex on them patents.

In short, if you wanted to be in the movie business, you basically had to go through Edison.

So the “independent” filmmakers chose an alternate option to fight Edison: fleeing Edison. And that’s what they did!

They moved to California , to an area of the country where the judges weren’t as friendly to Edison and his patents and where the wheels of copyright law would take longer to roll over them.

Shakespeare originated the “yo momma” joke.

Shakespeare gave the English language a plethora of slick new words, some fairly excellent poetry, including the perfected form of the sonnet, as well as a load of plays which are mostly the bane of high-school English students.

Something else he also gave us was the “yo momma” joke.

In his play, Titus Andronicus , one of the characters, Chiron, exclaims, “ Thou has undone our mother, ” to which another character, Aaron, replies, “ Villain, I have done thy mother. ”

Shots fired.

The Dutch-Scilly War lasted 335 years and had no battles or deaths.

Spanning between 1651 – 1986, the war was a by-product of the English Civil War and the decision of the Dutch to side with the Parliamentarians over the Royalists.

The Royalists had raided a few Dutch shipping vessels in revenge before fleeing to the Isles of Scilly.

The Dutch turned up, demanding reparations from the Royalists, and, when they didn’t pay up, declared war. But they decided to call it a day and go home pretty sharpish as they realized the Royalists didn’t have a penny to their names.

The only thing is they never declared peace with the Isles and just completely forgot they were at war.

Then, roughly 3 centuries later, historian Roy Duncan stumbled upon a footnote in Scilly about the war. He invited the Dutch Ambassador for Great Britain to Scilly, where a peace treaty was negotiated and signed, bringing the war to an end after 335 years and no bitter bloodshed.

During World War II, Americans called hamburgers “liberty steaks.”

This was due to the fact that “hamburger” sounded a little bit too German!

Also, during World War I, sauerkraut was re-dubbed “liberty cabbage.”

The 7.62mm rifle bullet was created 133 years ago.

The 7.62mm rifle bullet was created over 100 years ago.

Even if you’re not a gun nut, you’ve probably heard someone refer to this type of ammunition before. It’s the ammunition AK47 assault rifles use.

Therefore it should come as no surprise that it was developed by the Russian Empire in 1891.

Originally designed for the Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle, this round is still in use today. It’s one of the most common types of firearm ammunition in history.

In 1710, Native American leaders traveled to Britain to visit the Queen.

In 1710, Native American leaders travelled to Britain to visit the Queen.

Almost 100 years before the (in)famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, the four Mohawk Kings from one of the Iroquois Confederacy’s Five Nations and the Algonquian peoples were treated with high honor as diplomats.

Transported through the streets of London in Royal Carriages, they were personally met by Queen Anne at the Court of St. James Palace.

They also visited the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral. I wonder if they got given “I <3 London” t-shirts too…

In medieval England, the word “ask” was pronounced, “axe.”

So I suppose you could say it makes sense that’s how they’d say it in Futurama if that’s how they said it in the past, right?

This pronunciation of the word was even featured in the first English translation of the Bible: “Axe and it shall be given.”

In 18 th Century England, pineapples were a status symbol.

Despite the fact that they didn’t make it over to England until the 1600s, by the 1700s, owning pineapples had become a huge craze.

Those rich enough to own a pineapple would carry them around to signify their personal wealth and high-class status.

Near enough everything from clothing to houseware was decorated with exotic fruit.

And for those who weren’t rich enough to buy their own pineapples and become a part of this fad, they could rent a pineapple out to tout around in public and look the part for the day!

The first known artworks date back roughly 100,000 years ago.

The first known artworks date back to roughly 100,000 years ago.

It is believed to have begun with the Homo Sapiens during the Upper Paleolithic era.

The oldest known artworks were found in what is now France.

The Ancient Egyptians used slabs of stone as pillows.

In Ancient Egypt , the head was considered to be the seat of spiritual life and had to be cared for.

So therefore, when getting into bed, the Egyptians would place their heads on a stone with a curve in it.

They were also engraved with images of the Gods and placed under the heads of the dead to ward away bad spirits.

Paul Tibbets, pilot of the Enola Gay , didn’t have a funeral or headstone.

The Enola Gay is a plane that will live on in history until the end of man. As the plane dropped the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, it was both a sign of oppression and freedom.

The pilot of this plane was one Paul Tibbets, who, being close to death in his old age, decided he didn’t want a funeral or a headstone as he worried it would become a place for protesting nuclear armament.

Instead, he was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over the English Channel.

Adolf Hitler helped design the Volkswagen Beetle.

That’s right, the fella who gave a big thumbs up to the Holocaust also invented Herbie .

Between Hitler and Ferdinand Porsche, the iconic and globally-loved Beetle was designed as part of a Hitler-revived German initiative to create “the people’s car” – an affordable and practical car that everyone could own.

In fact, the car manufacturer’s name “Volkswagen” translates to English as “People’s car.”

Winston Churchill had a Doctor’s note to drink an “indefinite” amount of alcohol in Prohibition America.

Other than defiant hand gestures, iconic speeches, cigars, and dapper hats, Winston Churchill is also renowned for his love of alcohol. Whiskey, in particular.

In 1931, Churchill was involved in a traffic collision which left him with chest pain, as well as having bouts of depression to contend with.

Because of this, he was granted a Doctor’s note in 1932 for his time in the United States. This allowed him to drink an “indefinite” amount of alcohol for his duration of time in the Prohibition-era United States.

In Ancient Greece, they believed redheads became vampires after death.

This was partly due to the fact that redheaded people are very pale-skinned and sensitive to sunlight… unlike the bronze Mediterranean Greeks.

As well as the fact that a fair bit of vampire folklore existed within Greek mythology.

America’s National School Lunch Program of 1946 was due to WWII.

America’s National School Lunch Program of 1946 was due to World War II.

America had just come out of a huge, resource-depleting war. So why on Earth would they be handing out free food for school kids?

After all, it’s no secret that food rationing in Britain continued until 9 years after the war.

This is due to the fact that the government realized by giving the children free meals, they would have a healthier draft pool if they ever needed it again.

Abraham Lincoln was a wrestling champion.

Before becoming America’s 16 th President, Abraham Lincoln was an avid wrestler. He only lost one fight out of 300.

The guillotine was invented to create “equality in execution.”

The guillotine is an image that is fairly synonymous with France and the French Revolution.

Until its advent and widespread use, the regular methods of execution in France were rather savage. Punishment like being drawn and quartered was common.

The idea to use the guillotine as the main method of execution was part of the movement for equality in France that spurred the revolution.

This created equality in death and execution for citizens from all backgrounds.

The Soviet Union tried to snuff out the memory of Genghis Khan.

During the Soviet-era rule of the late 20 th century, simply mentioning the great conqueror’s name was a crime against the USSR.

The Soviets removed his story from school textbooks and outlawed pilgrimages to his birthplace of Khentii.

After Mongolia gained its independence in the early 1990s, he was restored to his rightful place as a national hero of Mongolia.

He appeared in the art and popular culture, as well as on Mongolian currency.

Ferrets, dogs, and monkeys were the most popular pets in the Roman Empire.

Rather than having cats to hunt down vermin like mice and rats, the Romans used ferrets.

They also used dogs as sentries and guards, whilst they used monkeys for entertainment…

…Because monkeys are funny.

Tablecloths were originally designed to be used as one big, communal napkin.

Children wiping their mouths on tablecloths isn’t generally acceptable at the dinner table, but that was their original use!

Guests were meant to wipe off their hands and face on a tablecloth after a messy feast.

To not do this would be considered bad table manners!

A Chernobyl firefighter was exposed to so much radiation it changed his eye color.

One of Chernobyl’s firefighters was exposed to so much radiation it changed his eye color.

Vladimir Pravik was one of the first firefighters to reach Reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26 , 1986.

His job there was to contain the flames spewing from the building.

During his shift dousing the highly-radioactive flames of the burning reactor core, he was exposed to a shockingly lethal dose of radiation.

It was so deadly that it changed his eye color from brown to blue .

Like the majority of the first responders to the Chernobyl disaster, Vladimir died 15 days later from severe radiation poisoning.

Before Julius Caesar invaded Britain, many Romans didn’t believe it existed.

Julius Caesar was the first-ever Roman to invade Britain. He did it twice in the years 55 and 54 BC. Up until this point, there were many divided opinions on Britain within the Roman Empire.

Some believed Britain to be just the foot of another huge northern continent. Others thought it was a place full of unbelievable riches, whilst most thought it just didn’t exist.

Caesar’s first invasion of Britain was, in a militaristic sense, a resounding blunder.

Yet, due to the mythical nature of Britain, his invasion of the country was a huge PR success. It made him legendary in the eyes of many Romans.

Cleopatra wasn’t Egyptian.

She was part of the Ptolemy dynasty, who was derived from one of Alexander the Great’s generals, Ptolemy.

Her ancestors ruled over Egypt from the city of Alexandria. Named after… you guessed it, Alexander the Great.

Bonus fact about the Ptolemy dynasty: All male members of this dynasty were called Ptolemy. It makes learning about them really confusing.

Cleopatra was the first member of her dynasty to speak Ancient Egyptian.

Ancient Egyptian is considered one of the most difficult languages to master in history. Well, Cleopatra was able to master it.

Along with 8 other languages, including Ancient Greek, Ancient Iranian, Ancient Parthian, Syriac, Ethiopian, Troglodyte, Hebrew, and Arabic.

Alexander the Great named over 70 cities after himself.

That might sound a touch egocentric on the face of it… But let’s not forget that Alexander the Great conquered over 2 million square miles of the Earth’s surface. And he did this all before he was 30 years old.

So yeah, over 70 cities might be a little excessive.

But, if you’re a boy wonder with the world literally knelt at your feet, why not go a little crazy? Am I right?!

It’s believed that roughly 97% of history has been lost over time.

I can’t really think of a more appropriate fact to end this article on really. Mainly because the chances are, you’ll only remember 3% of these history facts when you tell your friends later.

History’s documentation is so subjective, not to mention all the lost historical accounts of the world. So it’s no surprise that what we know of our history is just a snapshot of the whole thing.

Written accounts of history only started roughly 6,000 years ago. And modern humans first appeared around 200,000 years ago.

This 194,000-year gap is, in itself, huge.

However, considering all the historical writings lost over the years when written history did exist, it makes the mind wonder…

That’s the end of these 100 fun history facts!

We hope you learned something new that school didn’t teach you about history!

What was your favorite fact about history on this list? Or is there one we should really know? Tell us in the comments below!

Education , Long Reads , Top 100 , WWI

Reddit - Today I Learned
Wikipedia - Narendra Modi Stadium
Wikipedia - Helots
BBC - Richest Men To Ever Live

100 World War I Facts That Everyone Should Know

9 Interesting Facts About the Vietnam War

Amazing Facts About The Battle of Hastings

15 Historic Facts About The Battle of Bunker Hill

1000 Random & Interesting Facts About Literally Everything

About the author.

Jack De Graaf

Jack De Graaf is a BA English Studies graduate and a part-time writer. In his spare time he likes to read and do circus skills. He enjoys writing about video games, television and general knowledge.

Popular Today

Facts & Historic Events That Happened on March 27

March 27: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

15 Invigorating Spring Facts to Lift Your Spirits

22 Wacky Facts About Wednesday

20 Interesting Facts About Lent

We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. But occasionally, we may get things wrong, or information becomes outdated. If you believe something to be incorrect, please leave us a message below.

Latest facts.

30 Hype-worthy Facts about H&M

20 Blooming Facts about the Spring Equinox

St. Patrick’s Day | March 17

The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. You will learn something about everything!

Popular Facts Lists

1000 Interesting Facts

100 Random Fun Facts

100 Mind Blowing Facts

100 Strange But True Facts

100 Interesting Space Facts

Popular Pages

Big Questions

Days of the Year

Today In History

World Records

Information

The Fact Shop

15 Things We Have Learned About Critical Thinking

Here are the key issues to consider in critical thinking..

Posted July 27, 2018

What Is Cognition?
Find a therapist near me

Not long after the publication of my book, Critical Thinking: Conceptual Perspectives and Practical Guidelines , by Cambridge University Press, Psychology Today contacted me and asked me to write a blog on the subject. I never thought I would write a blog, but when presented with the opportunity to keep sharing my thoughts on critical thinking on a regular basis, I thought, why not ? Maybe my writing might help educators, maybe they might help students and maybe they might help people in their day-to-day decision-making . If it can help, then it’s worthwhile.

To recap, critical thinking (CT) is a metacognitive process, consisting of a number of sub-skills and dispositions, that, when applied through purposeful, self-regulatory, reflective judgment, increase the chances of producing a logical solution to a problem or a valid conclusion to an argument (Dwyer, 2017; Dwyer, Hogan & Stewart, 2014).

CT, if anything, has become more necessary , in this age of information bombardment and the new knowledge economy (Dwyer, Hogan & Stewart, 2014). It allows students to gain a better understanding of complex information (Dwyer, Hogan, & Stewart, 2012; 2014; Gambrill, 2006; Halpern, 2014); it allows them to achieve higher grades and become more employable, informed and active citizens (Barton & McCully, 2007; Holmes & Clizbe, 1997; National Academy of Sciences, 2005); it facilitates good decision-making and problem-solving in social and interpersonal contexts (Ku, 2009); and it decreases the effects of cognitive biases and heuristic -based thinking (Facione & Facione, 2001; McGuinness, 2013).

It’s now been just over a year since I started writing ‘Thoughts on Thinking’. As I consider my thinking and look over my writing during this period, I thought it would be worthwhile to collate and summarise some of the broader learning that has appeared in my writings. So, here’s what we’ve learned:

We all know CT is important, but it may be the case that many educators, as well as students, don’t really know what researchers mean by "critical thinking" and/or simply haven’t researched it themselves.
Just as many don’t really know what is meant by "critical thinking", there is also the problem of ensuring consistency across how it is defined/conceptualised, trained and measured , which is no easy task.
Without adequate training in CT, it may be the case that mature students’ perceptions of how they approach CT do not match their actual ability - despite potentially enhanced autonomy, student responsibility and locus of control , it may be that an over- optimistic outlook on the benefits of experience (and its associated heuristic-based, intuitive judgment) takes centre-stage above and beyond actual ability.
Social media is many things: entertainment, education , networking and much more. It is also, unfortunately, a vehicle for promoting faulty thinking. Being able to recognise persuasion techniques, illogical argumentation and fallacious reasoning , will allow you to better assess arguments presented to you, and help you to present better arguments.
Values are unique to each and every individual. Though individuals can certainly share values, there is no guarantee that all of an individual’s values overlap with another’s. On the other hand, using the 'virtue' moniker implies that the individual is right based on some kind of ‘moral correctness’. Though there is nothing wrong with an individual presenting ideas and perspectives that they value, it is ill-conceived and dangerous to treat them as global virtues that everyone else should value too.
CT is domain-g eneral, but explicit CT training is necessary if educators want to see CT improve and flourish across domains.
A person with a strong willingness to conduct CT has the consistent internal willingness and motivation to engage problems and make decisions by using reflective judgment . Reflective judgment, the recognition of limited knowledge and how this uncertainty can affect decision-making processes, is an important aspect of critical thinking regarding ‘taking a step back’ and thinking about an argument or problem a little bit longer and considering the basis for the reasons and consequences of responding in a particular way.
There is a need for general, secondary-school training in bias and statistics. We need to teach CT to the coming generations. When not critically thinking, people don’t listen, and fail to be open-minded and reflect upon the information presented to them; they project their opinions and beliefs regardless of whether or not they have evidence to support their claims.
Be open-minded towards others. You don’t have to respect them (respect is earned, it’s not a right); but be courteous (sure, we may be in disagreement; but, hey, we’re still civilised people).
A person said what they said, not how you interpret what they said. If you are unclear as to what has been said, ask for clarification. Asking for clarity is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of successful problem-solving.
‘Proof’ is the dirtiest word in critical thinking. Research and science do not prove things, they can only disprove. Be wary when you hear the word ‘prove’ or any of its variants thrown around; but also, be mindful that people feel safer when they are assured and words like ‘proven’ reinforce this feeling of assuredness.
Creative thinking isn’t really useful or practical in critical thinking, depending on how you conceptualize it. Critical thinking and creative thinking are very different entities if you treat the latter as something similar to lateral thinking or ‘thinking outside the box’. However, if we conceptualize creative thinking as synthesizing information for the purpose of inferring a logical and feasible conclusion or solution, then it becomes complementary to critical thinking. But then, we are not resorting to creativity alone - all other avenues involving critical thinking must be considered. That is, we can think creatively by synthesizing information we have previously thought about critically (i.e. through analysis and evaluation ) for the purpose of inferring a logical and feasible conclusion or solution. Thus, given this caveat, we can infuse our critical thinking with creative thinking, but we must do so with caution.
Changing people’s minds is not easy ; and it’s even more difficult when the person you’re working with believes they have critically thought about it. It may simply boil down to the person you’re trying to educate and their disposition towards critical thinking, but the person’s emotional investment in their stance also plays a significant role.
There is no such thing as good or bad CT – you either thought critically or you didn’t. Those who try it in good faith are likely to want to do it ‘properly’; and so, much of whether or not an individual is thinking critically comes down to intellectual humility and intellectual integrity .
Finally, there are some general tips that people find useful in applying their critical thinking:
Save your critical thinking for things that matter - things you care about.
Do it earlier in your day to avoid faulty thinking resulting from decision fatigue.
Take a step back and think about a problem a little bit longer, considering the basis for the reasons and consequences of responding in a particular way.
Play Devil’s Advocate in order to overcome bias and 'auto-pilot processing' through truly considering alternatives.
Leave emotion at the door and remove your beliefs, attitudes, opinions and personal experiences from the equation - all of which are emotionally charged.

Barton, K., & McCully, A. (2007). Teaching controversial issues where controversial issues really matter. Teaching History, 127, 13–19.

Dwyer, C.P. (2017). Critical thinking: Conceptual perspectives and practical guidelines. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Dwyer, C. P., Hogan, M. J., & Stewart, I. (2012). An evaluation of argument mapping as a method of enhancing critical thinking performance in e-learningenvironments. Metacognition and Learning, 7, 219–244.

Dwyer, C.P., Hogan, M.J. & Stewart, I. (2014). An integrated critical thinking framework for the 21st century. Thinking Skills & Creativity, 12, 43-52.

Eigenauer, J.D. (2017). Don’t reinvent the critical thinking wheel: What scholarly literature tells us about critical thinking instruction. Innovation Abstracts, 39, 2.

Facione, P. A., & Facione, N. C. (2001). Analyzing explanations for seemingly irrational choices: Linking argument analysis and cognitive science. International Journal of Applied Philosophy, 15(2), 267–286.

Gambrill, E. (2006). Evidence-based practice and policy: Choices ahead. Research on Social Work Practice, 16(3), 338–357.

Halpern, D.F. (2014). Though and knowledge. UK: Psychology Press.

Holmes, J., & Clizbe, E. (1997). Facing the 21st century. Business Education Forum, 52(1), 33–35.

Ku, K. Y. L. (2009). Assessing students’ critical thinking performance: Urging for measurements using multi-response format. Thinking Skills and Creativity,4(1), 70–76.

McGuinness, C. (2013). Teaching thinking: Learning how to think. Presented at the Psychological Society of Ireland and British Psychological Association’s Public Lecture Series. Galway, Ireland, 6th March.

National Academy of Sciences. (2005). National Academy of Engineering Institute of Medicine Rising above the gathering storm: Energising and employingAmerica for a brighter economic future. Committee on prospering in the global economy for the 21st century. Washington, DC.

Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone, Ireland.

Find a Therapist
Find a Treatment Center
Find a Psychiatrist
Find a Support Group
Find Teletherapy
United States
Brooklyn, NY
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, DC
Asperger's
Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
Passive Aggression
Personality
Goal Setting
Positive Psychology
Stopping Smoking
Low Sexual Desire
Relationships
Child Development
Therapy Center NEW
Diagnosis Dictionary
Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Affective Forecasting
Neuroscience

50 US States

53 Interesting Facts About The Brain

Last updated on June 20th, 2022

The brain is the most complex part of the human body. It is responsible for intelligence, interpretation of senses, controlling of behavior and initiation of body movements. The brain is enclosed in hard skull with protective fluids. With these interesting facts, let’s learn more about its: size, weight, cholesterol content, number of cells; multi-tasking, attention span, dreams, physical health, decision making, diseases and more.

1. The size of a typical brain is almost 2% of a body’s weight but is uses 20% of the body’s energy and oxygen intake. Now, when you use your brain much, be cautious, you are actually burning a lot of calories, indeed. Even at rest, it is estimated to use one-fifth of a calorie.

2. 73% of the brain is filled with water. If it gets dehydrated by anything more than 2% of it, the person may suffer loss in attention, memory and cognitive skills.

3. The human brain is the fattiest organ in the body. It contains 60% fat out of its total weight of 3 pounds.

4. Did you know that of all the cholesterol present in the human body, 25% is available in the brain? And it is also vital for brains cells.

5. And the number of brains cells is close to 100 billion, according to some estimate.

6. If you starve your brain for oxygen for five minutes, the brain may get damaged.

7. Brain grows rapidly in babies. A two year old baby will have an 80% fully grown brain. Remember, this is the time you need to pay attention to your babies to help them develop good habits and behaviors.

8. As per an estimate, information in the brain moves at a speed of 260 miles per hour.

9. Interestingly, the largest brains are those of sperm whales , weighing about 8 kg (18 lb).

10. During the course of evolution of human beings, our brain is getting smaller and has shrunk in size similar to that of a tennis ball. Though, this is estimated to have happened over a period of 10-20,000 years.

About: multi-tasking, human attention span, unlimited storage space, dreams

11. Multi-tasking is bad for performance. Multi-tasking makes you brain toggle back and forth between several tasks. This causes drop in attention span, performance, learning and short-term memory.

12. The attention spans of human brain are getting shorter. We have lost almost four seconds of our attention span in the past 15 years. This means we cannot concentrate on a thing for more than 8 seconds on a n average.

13. Your brain also has the ability to eat itself in case of lack of energy. To ward off starvation, brain cells can eat other brain cells.

14. Human brain has amazing potential to store a vast amount of energy. It does not get exhausted like a computer disk or RAM.

15. Brain is used while sleeping also. It is active all the time.

16. Frequent flying causes headaches. Yes, a study reveals that almost 6% of the people who get headaches were affected by flying.

17. When you are laughing, five areas in your brain are active.

18. Interested in seeing a collection of brains, visit Harvard. There are 7000 brains preserved for research purposes.

19. Everyone dreams during the night time. And the average is 4-7 dreams per night.

20. Insulin while regulating blood sugar in the human body is also responsible for better memory.

Facts about: brain’s relation with good physical health, decision making, yawning, negative effects of stress on the brain, benefits of reading aloud and talking to young children

21. It is all about your mental strength. And you can ever stay healthy and fit with a positive attitude and good mental health. Studies have revealed a connection between physical illness and poor mental health.

22. Women take longer to make decision compared to men.

23. Brain also has the ability to read someone’s face. You could read someone’s emotions and feelings just by looking at their face. Your brain is actually supplying your with the information to judge someone else’ mood.

24. When you yawn, you supply more oxygen to the brain. Even reptiles, birds and mammals yawn. Neurotransmitters in the brain control this behavior.

25. Brain development is stimulated by reading aloud and talking to young children.

26. Brain structure and function are altered when an individual is exposed to excessive stress.

27. Talking to babies is helpful in developing their vocabulary, a study reve als.

28. Brain receives approximately 20% of the blood flowing out of the heart. This blood flow is important to support the metabolic activities of neurons.

. . . by clicking on the button below, you may please continue reading on the next page.

Privacy Policy
Legal Disclaimer
Report Error

Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

Facts About The Research in Epithalon Properties Overview Analysis

How To Protect Children From Junk Food Marketing

Engineering facts.

Written by Kai

Modified & Updated: 01 Feb 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Engineering
Discoveries Facts
Innovation Facts
Inventions Facts
Research Facts
Science Facts
Technology Facts

Engineering – a word synonymous with innovation, invention, and progress. As the driving force behind technological advancement, engineering has forever transformed the way we live, work, and interact with our environment. This article will delve into 20 intriguing facts about engineering, showcasing the breadth, depth, and sheer wonder of this diverse discipline. So, buckle up for an enlightening journey into the world of engineering!

Engineering Has Ancient Roots

The roots of engineering extend back to ancient times. The word ‘engineer’ comes from the Latin words “ingeniare” and “ingenium,” which mean “to create, generate, contrive, devise” and “innate quality, particularly mental power, hence a clever invention,” respectively. These origins underscore the innovative and problem-solving nature inherent to engineering.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is an Engineering Marvel

Regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza stands as a testament to the engineering prowess of the ancient Egyptians. This monumental structure, with its precise alignment and massive stone blocks, remains an engineering mystery that continues to baffle experts today.

There are Numerous Engineering Disciplines

From civil to mechanical, electrical, software, and aerospace engineering – the list goes on! Each discipline has its unique focus, tools, and methodologies, and they often intersect, demonstrating the vast and interconnected landscape of engineering.

Civil Engineering is the Oldest Discipline

Civil engineering is considered the oldest engineering discipline, with its origins tracing back to the construction of the first public works like roads, bridges, and dams. Today, civil engineering encompasses diverse sub-disciplines, including structural, environmental, and geotechnical engineering.

The World’s Largest Engineering Project is the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) holds the title of the world’s largest international cooperative engineering project to date. It’s a joint endeavor involving several countries, including the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the member countries of the European Space Agency .

International Space Station Engineering Project

Engineering Has a Special Day of Celebration

National Engineers Week, observed in the third week of February in the U.S., celebrates the contributions of engineers. It also includes “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day,” an initiative designed to inspire young girls to pursue engineering and to promote gender diversity within the field.

The Longest Tunnel in the World Was Made Possible by Engineering

The Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, the longest tunnel globally at 57.1 kilometers long, is a marvel of modern engineering. It showcases the incredible capabilities of engineers in overcoming significant geographical and technical challenges.

Software Engineering is a Rapidly Growing Field

As our reliance on technology continues to grow, so does the field of software engineering. This discipline involves designing, developing, and maintaining software systems, making it integral to virtually every industry today – from healthcare to finance and entertainment.

The Ferris Wheel is an Engineering Feat

Designed by the American engineer George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the original Ferris Wheel was an engineering spectacle of its time. It stood 264 feet tall and could carry more than 2,000 passengers at once.

Environmental Engineering is Saving Our Planet

Environmental engineering plays a critical role in preserving our planet. It involves developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems, such as water and air pollution , waste management, and renewable energy.

The World’s Tallest Building is an Engineering Masterpiece

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai , standing at an awe-inspiring 828 meters tall, is the world’s tallest building. This skyscraper exemplifies the possibilities of structural engineering and the power of human ingenuity.

Engineers Were Behind the Moon Landing

The 1969 Apollo moon landing, one of humanity’s most significant achievements, was made possible by a team of dedicated NASA engineers. Their contributions ranged from designing the spacecraft to planning the complex mission trajectory.

Biomedical Engineering Blends Medicine and Engineering

Biomedical engineering is a discipline that merges the principles of medicine and biology with engineering to create equipment and devices that solve medical and health-related problems. It’s the force behind innovations such as artificial organs, prosthetics, and medical imaging machines.

Engineers Pioneered the Internet

The creation of the Internet – a transformative technological advancement that has reshaped society – was the result of visionary engineers. These individuals developed the foundational protocols and network architecture that make up the web we use today.

The First Computer Engineer was a Woman

Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician, is often credited as the world’s first computer programmer or engineer. She wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine.

Engineering Projects Can Take Years or Even Decades

Some engineering projects require extensive time for planning, design, and construction. A prime example is the English Channel Tunnel, which took over six years to build but had been a subject of discussion for more than a century.

Nanoengineering is Engineering on a Tiny Scale

Nanoengineering, a sub-discipline of engineering that deals with all things nano-scale, is paving the way for significant advancements in fields like medicine, electronics, and materials science. It’s behind the creation of nanobots and nano-fabrication technologies.

The First Professional Engineering License was Issued in 1907

In the U.S., the first professional engineering license was issued in Wyoming in 1907. Today, licensure is a significant professional milestone, signifying an engineer’s competence, ethics, and dedication to public safety.

Engineers are Helping Us Explore Mars

The ongoing exploration of Mars, including the deployment of rovers like Perseverance, has been spearheaded by teams of talented engineers. Their work helps unravel the mysteries of the Red Planet and lays the groundwork for potential human missions.

Engineering is Crucial to Sustainable Development

With issues like climate change, pollution, and energy shortages posing significant challenges, engineers are at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies and practices. Their work will be crucial in shaping a sustainable future for all.

Engineering is more than just a profession – it’s a calling that involves solving the world’s most pressing problems. These 20 facts highlight the impact of engineering on society and underscore why engineers are vital to our world. Whether it’s designing spacecraft, building skyscrapers, or developing sustainable technologies, engineers are truly the unsung heroes of progress and innovation.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

11 things you didn't know about the US Constitution

The Constitution of the United States serves as the foundation of government in the US.
The document was drafted in 1787 and, at the time of writing, the document was only four parchment pages long and contained just 4,400 words.
The Founding Fathers didn't actually intend to write the Constitution.

A little-known lawyer was responsible for the final wording of the Constitution.

The president was almost addressed as "His Highness."

The Constitution serves as the foundation of government in the United States and is one of the most influential documents ever drafted. However, the history and creation of those fabled pages include some unusual happenings and unexpected facts.

Here are a few things you likely never knew about the Constitution.

The US constitution is the oldest in the world.

The US Constitution drafted in 1787 remains the world's oldest written national consultation still in use. At the time of writing, the document was only four parchment pages long and contained just 4,400 words. With the added amendments, the current constitution clocks in at 7,762 words.

Benjamin Franklin needed to be carried to the signing of the Constitution.

By the time of the Constitutional Convention, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin was in such poor health that he needed to be carried in an enclosed sedan chair to the statehouse, according to "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson. The chair was supported by four prisoners from a nearby jail.

The president was almost addressed as "His Highness."

The Constitution does not indicate how the nation's president should be addressed. After the inauguration of President George Washington in 1789, the Senate considered a few different appellations.

According to the Mount Vernon estate, Vice President John Adams suggested options including "His Elective Majesty," "His Mightiness," and even "His Highness, the President of the United States of America and the Protector of their Liberties".

The Founding Fathers didn't actually intend to write the Constitution.

The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia from May to September of 1787 . It was attended by delegates from all of the 13 original states except Rhode Island and was initially convened to tweak the Articles of Confederation.

However, upon reviewing the Articles of Confederation, the delegates came to the conclusion that an entirely new document was needed.

Thanksgiving was actually created by George Washington as a way to thank God for the Constitution.

The first national Thanksgiving was observed on Thursday, November 26, 1789 by proclamation of President George Washington.

The holiday was established by the president as "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

The Constitution doesn't say anything about the US being a democracy.

Nowhere in the Constitution is the US called a democracy. In fact, the founding fathers thought that a direct democracy was a dangerous form of government that privileged the sentiment of the majority over the rights of the minority.

Instead, the Constitution frames the US as a republic , where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them rather than voting on decisions directly.

In a letter from John Adams to John Taylor, Adams remarks that " democracy never lasts long . It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide."

Benjamin Franklin proposed allowing presidents to be impeached in order to avoid assassinations.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Benjamin Franklin supported adding the ability to impeach a president to the Constitution because he thought it would prevent assassinations .

Franklin apparently argued that assassination would leave a president "not only deprived of his life but of the opportunity of vindicating his character."

In the Federalist papers, Alexander Hamilton clarified the grounds on which a sitting president should be impeached:

"Those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men , or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust."

There are several spelling and grammar mistakes in the Constitution.

According to the National Archives, the original US Constitution contains several spelling and grammar mistakes .

Jacob Shallus was the assistant clerk of the Pennsylvania legislature who wrote out the final, formal copy of the Constitution after the Convention adjourned on September 15. After completing the transcription, he went back and corrected various omissions and misspellings , keeping a record of his changes so that no one would think the erasure marks the result of illegitimate attempts to change the Constitution.

However, the most glaring mistake was made by Alexander Hamilton. In the process of managing the signatures on the document, Hamilton accidentally wrote "Pensylvania."

Two famous founding fathers never signed the Constitution.

Though they're usually considered to be "founding fathers," Thomas Jefferson and John Adams never actually signed the constitution . Both were serving as diplomats in Europe at the time of the Constitutional Convention.

Gouverneur Morris was a conservative statesman and lawyer who served on the Committee of Style tasked with adding polish to the final version of the Constitution. Morris ended up being responsible for much of the wording of the final edit of the document.

The original Constitution almost limited the size of the army to 3,000 troops.

During the drafting of the Constitution, one delegate was against the idea of maintaining a large standing army. According to James Madison's account of the drafting of the constitution, Elbridge Gerry proposed that "there should not be kept up in time of peace more than [two or three] thousand troops."

Apparently, George Washington was against the measure and quipped that they should also add a stipulation that no invading army could number more than 3,000 troops.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Main content

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

TheHomeSchoolMom

Homeschooling help and encouragement from experienced homeschoolers - find out how homeschooling works and how to start, get tips & ideas for when things need adjusting, read curriculum reviews before buying, learn how online schools work, gain confidence about homeschooling high school, and more.

Subscriber Exclusives

Homeschooling 101

Homeschool Blog
Deschooling
Homeschooling Styles
Homeschooling High School
Help by Subject
Curriculum Reviews
Local & State
Homeschool Planner
Meal Plans & Recipes

All About the Presidents Unit Study (FREE)

All About Presidents is a free unit study guide for researching and reporting on the office of the President of the United States. TheHomeSchoolMom's US Presidents and President's Day pages contain links to many the resources needed to complete this unit; others can be easily found online or at the library. Our President Report unit study is the perfect companion to this unit.

Presidents' Day

History of the U.S. presidency

Presidential promises, presidential perks, create a timeline of u.s. presidents, presidential firsts, secret service names for presidents, presidential slogans, presidents and important events, presidents and wars, presidential fun facts, political parties through the years, presidents' day.

What is Presidents’ Day?
When is Presidents’ Day celebrated?
When was Presidents’ Day first celebrated?
How do people celebrate Presidents’ Day?

The office of the president was formulated within the Constitution. Read Article Two of the Constitution to answer the questions below and complete the worksheet "The Constitutional President”. The Constitutional President » The Constitutional President Answer Key »

What are the requirements to hold the office of president?
What are the powers of the president?
What are the responsibilities of the president?
What are the words to the oath of office for the president?
When and where does this oath take place?
What is the State of the Union address?
Why and where does the address take place?

Learn about the following perks the president enjoys.

White House
Air Force One
Cadillac One
Secret Service
Presidential Staff
Blair House

Using your preferred timeline method , create a timeline of U.S. Presidents.

Identify the president of the firsts on this worksheet. Presidential Firsts » Presidential Firsts Answer Key »

Discover who the president is behind the nickname on this worksheet. What led people to give these presidents their nicknames? Presidential Nicknames » Presidential Nicknames Answer Key »

(Worksheet word search “Secret Service Code names”) All About Presidents: Secret Service Codenames » All About Presidents: Secret Service Codenames Answer Key » The Secret Service assigns code names to the president and the first family. Find out to whom the following code names belong:

Dancer, Dasher, and Dynamo
Eagle, Energy, and Evergreen
Lace, Lancer, Lark, and Lyric
Passkey and Pinafore
Radiance, Renaissance, Renegade, and Rosebud
Rainbow and Rawhide
Searchlight and Starlight
Timberwolf and Tranquility
Tumbler, Tempo, Twinkle, and Turquoise
Victoria and Volunteer

Discover which campaign slogan goes with which president on this worksheet. Give a brief explanation of how the slogan was created. All About Presidents: Presidential Campaign Slogans » All About Presidents: Presidential Campaign Slogans Answer Key »

Find out which president was in office during each of the specific times in U.S. history in this worksheet. Write a brief summary defining each event. All About Presidents: Important Historical Events » All About Presidents: Important Historical Events Answer Key »

Managing conflicts and wars is an unpleasant job duty of the president. Learn about the listed wars/conflicts, with which country or group the United States was in conflict, and which president was in office at the time. All About Presidents: Presidents and Wars » All About Presidents: Presidents and Wars Answer Key »

Find out which president is associated with the fun facts on the worksheet. All About Presidents: Fun Facts » All About Presidents: Fun Facts Answer Key »

Presidents are aligned with a particular political party. Learn about the ideologies of the parties listed below. Write a paragraph listing the tenets of each.

Democratic-Republican
Know-Nothings

Reader Interactions

Homeschool Helps

6 Steps To Get Started Homeschooling
High School & Beyond
Homeschool Field Trips
Homeschooling on a Budget
Lapbooks in the Homeschool
Notebooks in the Homeschool
Sources for Used Curriculum
Timelines in the Homeschool

Latest Blog Posts

Pathways to Reading Homeschool Review
How We Homeschool 10th Grade: Outsourcing, Interest-Led, and Box-Checking
10 YouTube Channels For Kids Who Love The Great Outdoors
Colleges That Have Accepted Homeschooled Students
Homeschool Dual Enrollment & More: Earn College Credit While Homeschooling

DISCOVER CALIFORNIA

RECOMMENDED BUSINESSES

The 25 San Francisco Fun Facts You'll Wish You Knew Before

You might think you know the city well, especially if you live there, but these interesting facts about San Francisco will still wow you.

November 27, 2023

Consider yourself a San Francisco expert? Perhaps you've traveled to all of the city's top destinations , visited the must-see attractions , admired the vibrant murals of the Mission District , and explored the historical areas—b ut our list of San Francisco fun facts will still wow you.

The City by the Bay is full of surprises—hidden hot spots, juicy tidbits, charming quirks—so it will keep you on your toes regardless of how many times you've visited. Here are the interesting facts about San Francisco that you should know.

San Francisco Facts You Won't Believe You Didn't Know Sooner

1. The San Francisco Zoo in Golden Gate Park was home to one of the last Ursus arctos californicus— a now-extinct grizzly bear subspecies—remaining in California. Named Monarch, the 1,100-pound furry hero was the first animal in the zoo and lived there for 22 years; he was popular amongst the locals, so his stardom eventually led him to become the grizzly bear symbol on the California state flag. Monarch survived the 1906 earthquake, inspiring San Franciscans to cultivate resilience and find strength in the aftermath of the tragedy.

2. San Francisco prospered during the Great Depression. Though the rest of the U.S. and the world suffered from the collapse of the stock market and the ensuing economic recession, not one bank in San Francisco failed. The city even had the resources to construct the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in the midst of the Depression.

3. You’ve probably heard countless weird facts about San Francisco’s Alcatraz, but did you know that the former federal penitentiary was the only prison to offer hot-water showers at the time? This was done to prevent prisoners from acclimating to the cooler climate so they didn't try to escape, though this tactic didn't work for everyone: A total of 36 inmates attempted to break free from the supposedly "escape-proof" prison; of those, five went missing but there were no confirmed prisoner escapes from Alcatraz.

Does your business rank among the best in California?

Recomended businesses

Show me california.com recommended businesses near.

Learn more about our selection criteria and vetting process.

4. The infamous gangster and businessman Al Capone was one of Alcatraz's most prominent prisoners. Despite Capone's cold vibe, he sure knew how to rock the dance floor. While imprisoned, he started the band "Rock Island" and played the banjo.

5. This Bay Area fun fact is all about the iconic Levi's jeans, which were invented in San Francisco . Designed by Levi Strauss, they were first crafted for Gold Rush miners as a comfortable and durable clothing option but then quickly became a wardrobe staple for everyone. This was the first time in history when San Francisco—not New York City—revolutionized the fashion industry.

6. Legendary band The Beatles held their final show in the Golden State, performing at San Franciso's Candlestick Park (now Oracle Park) in 1966. Although the arena’s capacity was over 42,000, only 25,000 tickets were sold—many didn't know this would be the Fab Four's last performance.

7. Chinese fortune cookies were invented in San Francisco by a Japanese resident named Makoto Hagiwara. As the story goes, he was the landscape designer for Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden and served the treats in the tea garden, popularizing the fortune cookie in 1909.

8. Given that S.F. is a coffee mecca , this fun fact may not surprise you: There are over 300 coffeehouses within the San Francisco city boundaries, so there's no shortage of places for you to go to add a pep to your step.

9. San Francisco has more dogs than children—10,000 more to be exact. Seems like the local millennials are more into having fur babies.

10. The vibrant Golden Gate Bridge is one of the major symbols of the state and among the most popular Northern California film locations , but the U.S. Navy originally planned to paint the bridge black with yellow stripes. The Navy thought this would make the bridge easier to see through the fog, especially while under attack. The “International Orange” color, the current hue of the bridge , was intended to be a sealant — not a color option — to protect the steel, but during transit, it caught the architect's eye and became the official color.

11. San Francisco’s cable cars are the only moveable National Historical Monument. The cables that pull the cars run at a constant speed of 9.5 miles per hour.

12. If you’ve always dreamt of being an emperor, the sky's the limit in San Francisco: In 1859, S.F. resident Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself the Emperor of the U.S. Although he had no formal political power, citizens acknowledged and celebrated his imperial presence. There were even souvenirs bearing his name. When he died, 10,000 people lined the streets of San Francisco to honor his life.

13. Before it was renamed San Francisco in 1876, the city was called Yerba Buena, which means "good herb" in Spanish. The early settlement had a bustling public square that is now Portsmouth Square in Chinatown.

14. S.F. has the largest and oldest Japantown in the United States. It is also one of the only three Japantowns in the country.

15. S.F. also has the second-largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest one in North America. Around one mile long and a half-mile wide, San Francisco's Chinatown is home to more than 100,000 people.

16. Many California culinary creations originated in San Francisco. The lengthy list includes Cobb salads , San Francisco sourdough bread , French dip sandwiches , popsicles , California-style pizza , and the Mission burrito .

17. There are more than 3,400 restaurants open in San Francisco, so you'll never run out of new restaurants to try.

18. Philo Farnsworth invented the first electric TV in 1927 in San Francisco.

19. Irish coffee was first served in the United States in 1952 at the beloved Buena Vista Cafe .

20. While California has strange laws , this one is particularly mind-boggling: In 1867, San Francisco implemented America’s first “ugly law,” which prohibited unsightly people from showing their faces in public. Thankfully, it has since been repealed.

21. Absurd laws that still exist in San Francisco? It's illegal to wash your car with used underwear; if you must walk an elephant down Market Street, it has to be on a leash; and it's prohibited to pile horse manure higher than six feet on any street corner.

22. Francis Ford Coppola wrote large portions of The Godfather trilogy at San Francisco’s first coffee shop, Cafe Trieste . The employees there must've made him a delicious double espresso he couldn't refuse.

23. After New York, Moscow, and London, San Francisco is the fourth city in the world with the highest population of billionaires per square meter, despite having a much smaller population than the other three cities. Check out some of the elite's homes on your tour of San Francisco's most expensive neighborhoods .

24. The United Nations Charter was drafted and signed in San Francisco, establishing the world body as a means of saving “succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

25. The Liberty Bell, a famous symbol of American independence, made an appearance in San Francisco. During the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, the bell took a train tour of the city; once the exposition ended, it returned to Philadelphia.

Need help with a home improvement project? Get a free quote today!

Enter your zip code.

Inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.

Awesome thank you for subscribing to our newsletter..

When you provide your email address, you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy , and you are giving your consent to receive email communications from California.com regarding updates, happenings, special offers, and promotions from our partners.

9 Places to Search for Gold in California

RELATED CITIES

Discover More

Payam Zamani's Book 'Crossing the Desert' Redefines Capitalism

Delve into Payam Zamani’s new model of capitalism and inspiring journey that transformed him into the spiritual entrepreneur he is today.

The Oldest Cities in Southern California

Take a trip through the pages of the Golden State’s history and discover the oldest cities in Southern California.

The Top 5 Rural Towns in California

Discover California's true hidden gems with our guide to the top 5 rural towns, filled with charm, history, and stunning landscapes.

The 9 Best Spots for Parasailing in California

Feeling adventurous? Take to the seas and see the world from a new vantage point by parasailing in California.

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

MOST POPULAR

Tornado Facts!

Learn about one of nature’s most powerful forces.

Take shelter, gang – because here at National Geographic Kids , we’re entering the eye of the storm with ten tornado facts!

Check out our ten top facts about tornadoes…

1) Tornadoes – also known as “twisters” – are violently rotating columns of air that reach from a storm cloud to the earth’s surface.

2) The winds of a tornado can reach speeds of up to 480km per hour – that’s strong enough to peel the roofs off houses, uproot trees and hurl heavy objects, such as cars, hundreds of metres!

3) Tornadoes come in different shapes and sizes. Some may appear as wide funnel-shaped clouds , others as thin rope-like swirls stretching from the ground to the sky.

4) The duration of tornadoes, and the distance they travel, varies. Most last less than ten minutes and travel five to ten kilometres before disappearing. In extreme cases, however, they can last several hours and cross distances over 150km!

5) Tornadoes are measured using the Fujita Scale (or F-scale), ranging from F0 to F5, with F5 being the strongest and most destructive.

6) The deadliest tornado ever recorded was in Bangladesh in 1989 . As it travelled through the Dhaka region of the country, more than 20 villages were destroyed and around 1,300 people were killed.

7) Most of the world’s tornadoes occur in the United States in what’s known as Tornado Alley . Stretching from west Texas to North Dakota, this area can see more than 200 tornadoes each year!

8) If a tornado occurs over water, it’s called a waterspout .

9) Not all tornadoes are easy to see. In fact, they can be invisible until they pick up dust and debris, or a cloud forms within the spinning funnel.

10) The formation of a tornado is so complex that scientists still don’t completely understand it. And what’s more, the unpredictability of tornadoes makes them difficult – and dangerous – to study. A tornado will demolish everything in its path, including measuring equipment. And so, the secrets behind this incredible force of nature are yet to be discovered…

Photos: Getty Images UK

WELL DONE, YOUR COMMENT HAS BEEN ADDED!

this is a good app

Absolutely Amazing!

helped well

This is great, it really helped me with my assignment!

great facts

Really fascinating!

Very good app

hello this really intresting l

hiiiiiiiiiiiiii

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

cooooooooooooool

That’s cool

That’s so awesome

I’m gonna think about a paper on tornadoes this was very helpful thank you so much

I love this cool feature on this educational website

Hello. This is Carlito (Still learning the english thing) and to day me and my friend Albert (Aka flamingo) wanted to scroll around and typed here LOL.

how does it form

Thanks That info helped a lot in my work.

love your facts

OMG this is so cool bro i love tornadoes

so cool i wound like to learn more

Thanks for the facts

helped a lot

epic dont care

WOW! Tornadoes are CRAZY!

Omg I love it so much thanks for putting this on I really wanted to work on tornados and this helps heaps!

Interesting

love you info

Knew 7 out of 10 of these facts but there super cool

Love you facts

HEY LOVE THE FACTS

i dont like it lol

Im glad id doesnt happen australia

wow thats really scary

hopefully this info can help me with my project

Thanks for the help!!!!

INTRETIIIIIIIIIIIIING FACTS

i like turtles

DEM GRAMMERZ BE EPIC!!!

Dem grammerz be awesome lolol

Dem grammer skilz be mazin lolol

That looks scary

i wasnt so happy about this i was epecting more exciting facts

shhhhhhhhhhhh no plz

lo lol lol lo lol

good and true facts!

tordbgfcdxdrxdf dfccftcdyb lol szaj

THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love learning about tornadoes

Cool and great

I love this website it is great for kids and adults who want to learn about different things

bla bla bla

WOW thats AWSOME

its awesome

i like this website

did not help at all

hihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi

Thats cool Yo

Pretty cool right ppl!

Awesome facts and cool features ! Nonstop coolness !

incredibly awesome

hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi WHY AM I DOING THIS?

You should add games.

love the fats alot and help me with my project thank u so much

ghrdddddhdhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

WAS UP BRUH 1738 WHACH ME WIP

hi people of the world!

Bruh boaring

why is life lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol lol

hi i love Tornados!

????????????

i love this it helped me very much

Amazing, I knew most of it but I learnt some

cool but dangeros

oh this is like the best I can not believe it mates this is cool its my topic in school natural disasters

I am doing this for my project and i am so exited so thank you so much ngkids

Gift me on aj plz I got scammed Im called shadowthewolf80

THANKS 4 THEM MAD FACTING SKILLZ CUS U HELPED ME IN MAGCSE PE

only one got me intrastided

cool website

ybybjmhvhnbnjbhnjnhnjmjnjhnjnjnhmjbfnj?vgjîghlpmjd?bdgj?fgntbjmk,l,ncshhcjg

thanq so much...this is very hepfulll

very useful for my project

cccccccccoooooooooooollllllllllll and scrary

Coooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad this doesnt happen in the uk

ef5 are the deadliest tornado ever and this website need to get ef5 facts now.thanksss

I know how people survive tornadoes !!! When an American house is built near Tornado Alley , apart from a basement a bunker made out of 4-6 inches thick is made and in the houses security system a siren and detector for tornadoes are fitted so in case of a tornado about a hundred meters away the siren goes off in time for everyone to grab their prized possessions and other items and get into the bunker . Thats how people survive tornadoes without dying . If anyone has questions ask!

Tornados are EPIC!!! The way they form is sooooo coooool. They are vile beasts and thats what I like about them

This is very terrifying and interesting at the same time

these facts are so iteresting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks!

thx for the facts

It is cool and awsome and great and greater and greater

I was tring to write a report and you gave a lot of good info and nice pics

I think this website is amazing because I use it for tornadoes.

VERY HELPFUL

Wow, thats really interesting! I never knew they can cross distances that fast!

thanks so much

i found this very helpful

HI BRYN!!!!!!

This is cool

I WANT TO KNOW MORE, MORE!

LOVE this website, its so useful to use for homework

overwhelmed with so many cool facts,sad and interesting ones too!!!!!!

i love this website!it has alot of info

Havent seen a tornado in six years and the last time it was a F0 so I was fine and well

Its sad that so many people died in Bangladesh. Also Im from there and so are my parents.

Thanks Nat geo Kids for helping me complete my speech

this helped me on my project

I think these facts are amazing and better for the childrens educations

this is so awesome!!!!

Good for my homework

helped me a lot

this really helped me with my assesment :)

So good for my homework! :)

I am sooooooooooooooo scared of tornadoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But idont think we get them in the uk. you can never be to sure........

So cool I like the pics and really good info:)

coooooooooollllll

Im loving the facts its just awesome

Tornadoes are awesome!

interesting!

I am so glad that i live in UK.

SO COOL!! I learnt so much and the pictures are so scary but very cool

this is some scary stuff i want to be near a twister but then again id rather be in northern ireland cause there is not snakes or massive spiders or twisters or tsuiamis really nothing to bad except for rain rain and more rain including snow

Nice facts Im useing them in school work

cool - this is some facts I never knew about

Cool but needs more information

Those pics are like so scary WAAAAAA

love this so much

Cooooooooooool

Love the info

Amazing! I never knew most of the worlds tornadoes occur in the united states!

very cool. i wouldnt like to be in that tornado

I am I am not in a tornado !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool but fell bad for the people who died in this incident

cool, but I hate tornados

IM USING THIS FOR MY HOMEWORK!!!

Nice Site about tornadoes

awesome information dude

How big are tornados

CUSTOMIZE YOUR AVATAR

More like physical geography.

Awesome poems about the water cycle!

15 fantastic rainforest facts!

Structure of the Earth!

17 explosive volcano facts!

Sign up to our newsletter

Get uplifting news, exclusive offers, inspiring stories and activities to help you and your family explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox.

You will receive our UK newsletter. Change region

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

COUNTRY * Australia Ireland New Zealand United Kingdom Other

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and will receive emails from us about news, offers, activities and partner offers.

You're all signed up! Back to subscription site

Type whatever you want to search

More Results

You’re leaving natgeokids.com to visit another website!

Ask a parent or guardian to check it out first and remember to stay safe online.

You're leaving our kids' pages to visit a page for grown-ups!

Be sure to check if your parent or guardian is okay with this first.

Fact Animal

Facts About Animals

The 101 Greatest Animal Facts

Here’s our big list of the 101 greatest animal facts . This includes some of the most asked, fun, surprising and crazy animal facts from across the animal kingdom. The loudest, deadliest, fastest, largest, most bizarre and random, are all here in our big animal fact list.

1. The loudest animal in the world is a mere 2cm long, prawn. The Pistol Shrimp is capable of snapping its claw shut so rapidly, that it creates a bubble which collapses to produce a sonic blast, louder than a Concorde’s sonic boom.

The shock wave can reach 230 decibels, also louder than the sound of a gunshot. The imploding bubble for split seconds also generates temperates of 4,400C, nearly as hot as the sun, killing its prey. 1

2. Flamingos are not pink. They are born grey, their diet of brine shrimp and blue green algae contains a natural pink dye called canthaxanthin that makes their feathers pink.

Flamingos in zoos often lost their colouring, until zoo keepers supplemented their diets. 2

3. Otters “hold hands” while sleeping, so they don’t float away from each other.

And it’s super-cute. Look.

4. Hummingbirds are the only known birds that can also fly backwards.

They often do this when retreating away from flowers. 3

5. Dolphins use toxic pufferfish to ‘get high’.

Dolphins deliberately handle pufferfish causing them to release toxins as a defence mechanism. These toxins can be deadly in high doses, but also have a narcotic effect – and are a powerful hallucinogenic, which dolphins appear to enjoy.

A documentary witnessed them passing around pufferfish in a pod, before floating just underneath the water’s surface, apparently ‘mesmerised by their own reflections’ afterwards. 4

6. The Inland Taipan (also known as, the Western Taipan) is the most venomous snake in the world. A single bite contains enough venom to kill at least 100 fully grown men, and can kill within just 30 minutes, if left untreated.

They very rarely ever come in contact with humans, however. Every reliable identification of a snake bite victim from an Inland Taipan have been herpetologists, when handling or studying the snakes. They have all survived, due to successful treatment with antivenom.

7. The worlds deadliest animal isn’t a shark, bear or tiger, but something far smaller – the mosquito. According to the World Health Organization, 725,000 people are killed each year from mosquito-borne diseases, such as Malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever.

Mosquito outnumber every other animal in the world, apart from ants and termites. They can also be found in nearly every part of the world, which all add up in the risk they pose to humans.

8. There are more than 1.4 billion insects for EACH HUMAN on the planet, according to recent estimates.

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. Their population is estimated as 10 7 –10 8 billion alone, in comparison to approx. 7 billion humans on the planet. 5

9. The shortest living animal in the world is the Mayfly. Its entire adult lifespan is just 24hrs.

The Mayfly reproduces and then dies, during that short 24hr period of life. Some species of Mayfly only live for 8-10 hours. Although they have the shortest adult lifespan, they actually exist as a nymph in water from 3-7 years, depending on species.

10. The horned lizard is able to shoot blood from its own eyes, up to a distance of 3 feet away. The rather bizarre and disgusting act is a defensive mechanism to confuse predators.

Their blood contains a chemical that is noxious to predators, and this isn’t its only trick – short-horned lizards are also capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size to scare anything away. 6

11. Roosters prevent themselves from going deaf due to their own loud crowing, by tilting their head backs when they crow, which covers their ear canal completely, serving as a built-in ear-plug.

A study showed that their crowing averages over 100 decibels, which is roughly the same as running a chainsaw. 7

12. Little is known about the elusive Giant squid, however the largest squid ever found measured over 50 feet and weighed nearly a tonne.

To put that in perspective, that’s bigger than a bus. 8

13. The pangolin is able to roll up into an armour-plated ball, so lions can’t eat them.

If only this worked for poachers, who simply pick them up when they roll into a ball.

14. Koalas can sleep for up to 22 hours a day.

Koala need more sleep than most animals, because their diet of eucalyptus leaves contain toxins, are very low in nutrition, and high in fibrous matter – so they take a large amount of energy to digest!

15. Swifts spend most of their lives flying in the air, and can fly for almost an entire year, without ever landing.

A study showed that over a 10-month period, a swift stopped for just 2 hours. 9

16. Even after having its head cut off, a cockroach can still live for weeks .

Even stranger, a cockroach’s head can actually survive by itself for a few hours, too. 10

17. A group of parrots is known as a pandemonium.

And the collective noun for porcupines, is a prickle .

18. Cows poo up to 15 times a day, which can be as much as 115 pounds of manure per day, or approximately 21 tons per year.

The large quantities are often put to good use, though – manure, to fertilizer, to fuel, or biogas to create electricity and heat for developing parts of the world. 11

19. A common garden snail has 14,000 teeth.

Their microscoptic teeth are called radula, and some species actually have over 20,000 teeth.

20. A Blue Whales tongue can weigh as much as a car, or a small adult elephant.

A Blue Whales tongue can weigh approx. 2.7 tonnes, or 6,000 – 8,000 pounds (2,720 – 3,630 kg).

21. The longest living, verified animal is a Madagascar radiated tortoise, which died at an age of 188 years in May 1965.

However, there might be even older. Adwaita, an Aldabra giant tortoise , died at an estimated age of 255 in March 2006 in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata, India. If verified, it will have been the oldest terrestrial animal in the world. 12

22. The fastest land animal on the planet is a cheetah. It can reach speeds of up to 75 mph (120 kph).

While the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird, with a diving speed of 242 mph (389 kph). The fastest animal in horizontal flight is the brazilian free-tailed bat, which can reach speeds of 100mph. The sailfish and black marlin are joint fastest sea animals, and can swim up to 22 mph (36 kph).

23. Baby elephants suck their trunks for comfort.

Just like babies and young children suck their thumbs, awwww.

24. The Nile crocodiles jaws can apply 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch – the strongest bite of any animal in the world.

A human’s jaw produces 100 pounds of pressure per square inch in comparison. A nile crocodiles bite is 10 times more powerful than that of a great white shark

25. Axolotl are able to regenerate lost limbs and body organs.

Mexican walking fish can regrow the same limb up to 5 times, and even regenerate parts of its brain.

26. The Giant Pacific Octopus has 3 hearts, 9 brains and blue blood.

They are also able to change their colour and texture to camouflage themselves in a blink of an eye.

27. A flea can jump distances 200 times their body length.

They are able to jump 10 inches (25cm) vertically and up to 18 inches (45 cm) horizontally, making them one of the planets best jumpers relative to its size. It’s equal to a human jumping as high as the Empire State Building in New York.

28. The male seahorse goes through pregnancy and gives birth to babies. They are the only animal on earth where the male carries the baby rather than the female.

The male seahorse has a pouch on its stomach in which to carry babies—as many as 2,000 at a time.

29. Pufferfish can contain a tetrodoxin, a toxin that is up to 1,200 times more deadly than cyanide to humans. There is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

Amazingly despite this, some pufferfish meat is considered a delicacy in Japan. The meat called Fugu, is expensive and only prepared by licenced chefs with over 3 years of rigorous training who remove toxic parts of the meat for diners.

30. The loudest animal relative to size is the Water Boatman, which measures at just 12mm long, but can produce 99 dB of sound by rubbing its genitalia across its abdomen.

This is the equivalent noise level of operating a circular saw, or a drill. 13

31. The howler monkey is the loudest land animal. Its calls can be heard from 3 miles (5 km) away.

At its peak, the howler monkey can produce sounds that reach 140 decibels. That’s as noisy as a jet engine, on take off!

32. There is an average of 50,000 spiders per acre in green areas.

There’s over 45,000 known spider species, with the venom of a few only known to be dangerous to humans.

33. The aptly named colossal squids eyes are as large as a basketball.

This allows the colossal squid to detect the faint light of a predator from over 400 feet (120 metres). 14

34. White-tailed jackrabbits are the greatest land jumpers, having been recorded leaping an astonishing 21ft (6.4m) vertically.

That’s higher than 3 average sized men all stood on top of each other. This large species of hare can also run up to 35mph (55kph) when escaping predators. 15

35. Grey-headed Albatross can circle the globe in only 46 days.

The incredible round-the-world journey covers 14,000 miles over the 46 day period at a steady 13mph. The grey-headed albatross perform this feat by making various pit-stops along the way. 16

36. Giraffes are the tallest land animal in the world, reaching heights of 19ft (5.8 m). The ostrich is the world’s tallest bird. It can grow up to 9 feet (2.7m) tall.

Over 2 metres (7ft) of a giraffes total size is its famously long neck, which helps it reach leaves in tall trees.

37. An ostrich legs are so powerful that their kicks can kill a lion.

Or a human! Each two-toed foot has a long, sharp claw – making them formidable weapons. Animals often end up running away from the ostrich .

38. The dementor wasp paralyses cockroaches with venom to its head, turning them into a zombie-like state. The toxins leave the cockroach unable to control its own movements, which incredibly makes it run into the wasps nest to meet its demise.

The venom is thought to cut brain activity that makes cockroaches sense fear and run away to safety. The dementor wasp will then lay eggs on the cockroach to act as an incubator for its young.

39. More than half of all pigs in the world are kept by farmers in China.

There are over 440 million pigs in China. United States in comparison has a mere 73 million pigs.

40. Polar bears have jet black skin under their white fur coats.

It helps them absorb heat to keep warm, while the white fur helps provides camouflage in the snowy and icy environment they live.

41. Giant anteaters consume up to 35,000 ants and termites in a single day.

They use their long sticky tongues to slurp up hundreds of ants per minute. Interestingly, anteaters purposefully never destroy an ant nest, preferring to leave some ants alive to rebuild, so it can return and feed again in the future.

42. The little known pangolin is the worlds most poached and trafficked animal.

This is due to the high demand of their scales and meat in Asian cultures. 70% of Chinese citizens believe pangolin products have medicinal value, when its been scientifically proven to be false.

43. Great white sharks can detect a drop of blood in 25 gallons (100 litres) of water and can even sense tiny amounts of blood from 3 miles (5 km) away.

They use their acute sense of smell to detect blood using an organ called the ‘olfactory bulb’.

44. The Naked Mole-Rat can live in an almost zero oxygen atmosphere.

Incredibly, in a zero oxygen environment, the Naked Mole-Rat can still survive for up to 20-minutes without suffering any harm at all.

45. The smell of a skunk is powerful enough for a human to smell it up to 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away.

The foul smelling spray from a skunk can also cause skin irritation and even temporary blindness.

46. The most venonmous fish in the world is the 30cm Stonefish.

Stonefish have 13 sharp fin spines on their back, each with two venom glands. Their stings are extremely painful, can be lethal to humans, and mostly occur as a result of stepping on the creature.

47. Only 5% of cheetah cubs survive to adulthood.

A study in the 90’s in the Serengeti found that 95% of cheetah cubs died before reaching adulthood. Many deaths were due to Lions, but also other predators and disease.

48. A tigers rear legs are so powerful, that they have been found remaining to stand even after death.

Tigers have been witnessed to have been shot, bled out, and died – and remained standing throughout.

49. A R hinoceros ‘s horns are made of ‘keratin’, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.

Some species of Rhinos have two horns, while others just have a single horn.

50. The Alpine Swift is able to stay airborne for over 6 months without touching down.

It holds the world record for the longest recorded uninterrupted flight by a bird, at over 200 days in the air as it hunted flying insects on its wintering range in the skies over West Africa. 17

51. The Edible Dormouse (Glis glis) is able to hibernate the longest – up to 11-months of the year when food availability is low.

To be able to pull of this feat, they double or even triple their body weight before hibernation. During hibernation they are able to reduce their metabolic rate and the animal may stop breathing for periods of up to an hour at a time. 18

52. Japanese Macaques play with snowballs for fun.

These snow monkeys have been observed rolling up snowballs, then pushing them down hills just for the heck of it. Others gather lumps of snow in a ball and carry them around, proudly sometimes to the envy of other monkeys who try to steal it.

53. Sperm whales are the world’s largest predator.

They can be up to 20m long and weigh up to 80 tonnes. These giant whales dive down to almost 3,000m below the surface where they hunt giant squid. Giant squid can be the same size or bigger than sperm whales and will fight viciously with them. Adult whales can be seen with scars on their heads from the beaks of giant squid. 19

54. The largest insect to ever live was a “ dragonfly ” with a wingspan of over 75cm (2 and a half feet) across.

They are called Meganeuropsis and were around 247 million years ago. They were proficient predators, with large mandibles that they used to capture fish, amphibians and insects. 20

55. Koala’s have fingerprints almost identical to human.

It is so hard to distinguish between the fingerprints of koalas and humans that even under a microscope it is hard to tell. There are even reported cases of a koala’s fingerprints confusing forensics at crime scenes. 21

56. Greenland sharks are the longest living vertebrates on earth, with one individual thought to be over 400 years old

Greenland sharks are giant, reaching up to 5m in length, and live in the cold deep waters of the North Atlantic. They are rarely seen, and little is known about them. 22

57. The blood ‘Dracula ant’ has the fastest recorded animal movement when it snaps its mandible.

This cannibalistic ant can go from zero to 200mph in 0.000015 seconds when it snaps its mandibles, that’s roughly 5,000 times faster than humans blink. 5 This is the fastest recorded movement in the animal kingdom. 23

58. The box jellyfish is considered the most venomous marine species in the world.

These cube shaped jellyfish have long tentacles and can be over 3m in length. Their toxin, delivered via stinging cells in their tentacles, is so potent that many die before they can even reach the shore. 24

59. The Japanese Spider Crab has the longest leg span of any arthropod.

From the tip of one claw to the other can be as long as almost 4m! Japanese spider crabs have 10 legs stretching out from a central body, giving it its spider like appearance. They live deep in the oceans south of Japan.

60. Some albatrosses are lesbians.

Albatrosses form bonds for life, returning to the same place every year to raise their young. Some of these bonds are between two female albatrosses, with a study finding that in one breeding area 31% of pairs were two females. 25

61. Some corvids (crows, rooks, ravens etc,) can understand physics.

Corvids are highly intelligent. They can use tools, solve puzzles, recognise faces, and even understand physics. Tests show that rooks have the same level of understanding of physics as a 6-month-old baby, which is higher than some apes. 26

62. Sheep can recognise faces.

As social animals, sheep are capable of recognising familiar and unfamiliar faces. Studies even suggest that they miss other sheep when they are taken away for a long time afterwards. 27

63. Tardigrades can survive in space and go without eating for more than 10 years.

Tardigrades are microscopic animals with crazy endurance abilities. They can survive in temperatures as high as 149oC or as low as -272oC and pressures 6 times more intense than the bottom of the ocean. They also look like tiny bears! 28

64. Duck-billed platypus don’t have nipples, instead they concentrate milk to their belly and feed their young by sweating it out.

The milk emerges from pores in the skin of the abdomen which the platypus puggles then lap up.

65. Echidna’s are relatives of duck-billed platypuses and have a beak, spikes, a kangaroo-like pouch, and lays eggs.

They are small at just 30–45cm and are known as spiny anteaters. One of the few egg-laying mammals, echidna lay a tiny egg which is then transferred into a kangaroo-like pouch where it then hatches.

66. Rabbits don’t have pads on their paws. Only fur.

Rabbits are a bit like hobbits, in that they have furry feet! They are the only land mammals that do not have paw pads. Paw pads are thought to help animals run faster, whereas rabbits move in a different way, and the thick fur still provides cushioning.

67. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the biggest freshwater turtle in the world.

It weighs between 150 to 220 kilograms (330 to 485 pounds) and is over 100cm (39in) in length. They are found primarily in the area of the Yangtze River in China.

68. Pea Crabs are miniature crabs that spend their whole lives inside oysters, clams, and mussels.

Named because it is the size of a pea, this tiny crab relies entirely on its host for food.

69. The Mariana snailfish is the deepest fish in the ocean, living up to around 8,000m below the surface.

They live down in the deepest trenches of the ocean where they hunt invertebrates, such as crustaceans and shrimp. 29

70. The shoebill stork can swallow baby crocodiles whole.

These huge birds are over a meter tall (up to 5 feet) and have a wingspan of more than 2 m (almost 8 feet!). Its name comes from its huge beak which is over 20cm long and almost that wide. Along with lungfish, it also eats baby turtles and baby crocodiles whole.

71. Lungfish are the only fish that have both lungs and gills.

This allows them to survive when the water in their ponds/lakes dries up.

72. Electric eels are in fact not eels, and give a shock strong enough to knock out a horse.

In the Tennessee Aquarium an electric eel’s tank has been hooked up to a computer programmed to send out a tweet whenever the eel produces enough electricity. 30

73. The yellowhead jawfish incubates its eggs in its mouth.

The male gathers up all of the eggs once they’ve been fertilised and stores them in his mouth until they hatch.

Yellowhead jawfish with eggs in its mouth!

74. The patu digua is thought to be this smallest spider in the world at just 0.37 mm.

This Colombian spider is about one fifth the size of the head of a pin.

75. Vampire bats share blood with their friends.

Vampire bats need to eat blood at least every 48 hours to survive. Bats will share blood after a good meal with another bat that’s fed them in the past. 31

76. The U.S. military trained bottlenose dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphins were used in both the Vietnam and the Gulf to detect enemy swimmers trying to plant explosives on ships. 32

77. Wojtek the bear was a corporal in the polish military during WWII.

Wojtek was brought by polish shoulders while in Iran. He was made an officer so that he was allowed rations and eventually was promoted to corporal. He helped out by carrying boxes of ammunition.

78. Horned lizards shoot blood out of their eyes.

To scare of predators, this lizard shoots blood out of its eyes.

79. Cuckoo birds hide their eggs in the nests of other species.

The other bird species then raises the cuckoo chick as if it were its own, and the cuckoo mother doesn’t have to do any of the work.

80. Elephants mourn their dead.

Elephants will return to the place where family members died and stand in silence over the bones, sometimes bowing their heads.

81. Meerkat parents train their offspring to hunt scorpions.

They will bring back dead or almost dead scorpions back to the younger ones so that they can practice killing them without getting stung.

82. Only 3-5% of mammals are monogamous.

The majority of mammals are not monogamous, making humans unusual.

83. Gorilla’s have been seen dismantling traps set by poachers.

Poaching is a big problem for gorillas , but young gorillas have learnt how to trap and dismantle snares. 33

84. The earliest found depictions of dogs come from 8,000 years ago.

Dogs have been human-kinds best friend for a long time, with a carving in a rock face in Saudi Arabia showing a man hunting with 13 dogs. Two of them even have leads!

85. Cat’s were domesticated 9,500 years ago in Ancient Egypt.

They were worshiped in Ancient Egypt and some historians report that it was illegal to kill a cat.

86. Emperor penguins are the world’s biggest penguins, and they trek 50–120 km (31–75 m) across the Antarctic to reach breeding colonies.

The impressive emperor penguins reach 100 cm (39 in) in length and weigh 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb). They breed during winter, when they emerge from their more natural habitat in the ocean to trek long distances over treacherous ice.

87. Yaks are specially adapted to high altitudes, with a huge lung capacity and small red blood cells.

Native originally to Tibet, these giant oxen-like animals live at high altitudes in the Himalayas (4,000–6,000 metres). They are specifically adapted to the low oxygen levels with a lung capacity that is ~3 times that of normal cattle, and have smaller red blood cells to improve oxygen transport. 34

88. Cuvier’s Beaked whales are one of the deepest diving mammals and can collapse their lungs to survive the high pressure.

One of the deepest diving mammals, one individual was recorded diving down to 2,992 m (9,816ft) below the surface. The pressure at these depths is so high that in order to survive it they have to collapse their lungs. 35

89. Orangutans are the heaviest tree-dwelling animals.

There are three species of orangutan and adult males of all three typically weigh around 75kg (165lb) while females are ~37 kg (82 lb). They are ~1.5m(5ft) tall and have a huge arm span of ~2m (6ft). They spend most of their time up in the canopy, making them the heaviest tree-dwelling animal.

90. Chimpanzees are very intelligent and make all kinds of tools.

For example, some use long sticks to fish out termites from their mounds. Other chimps have been recorded creating “spears” to hunt bushbabies! 36

91. Shrike’s impale their prey on sticks to save them for later.

Also known as “butcherbirds” they are famous for being fairly brutal songbirds. They catch all kinds of animals, including crickets, lizards, and small birds, and impale them on sticks to save them for later.

92. Vultures urinate and defecate on their own legs and feet to cool off on hot days.

This a cooling mechanism called ‘urohydrosis’. Weirdly this can also help kill any bacteria picked up from walking through dead animals which they prey upon.

93. The wood frog spends 7 months of the year frozen.

These Alaskan frogs freeze almost completely at the start of winter, with two-thirds of their body water turning into ice. To all intents and purposes, they seem dead; their heart stops beating, and their blood flow stops. However, once winter starts to thaw so do they and they hop back to life. 37

94. Certain animals have anti-freeze proteins that allow them to survive extreme temperatures.

These anti-freeze proteins prevent water in the cells of the animals from crystalising and forming ice. Examples of animals with this superpower include the winter flounder and the eelpout.

95. Honeypot ants swell up to a huge size with food.

Honeypot ants have to be seen to be believed. During wet season, certain ants consume huge amounts of nectar, making their abdomens swell up to the size of a grape. Then, during dry season, they provide the other ants with food by throwing the nectar back up again. Yum!

96. The lesula, discovered in 2007, has giant human like eyes and a blue bottom.

This relatively newly discovered monkey lives in the Congo. The lesula eyes are very distinctive because of their human-like appearance, as are their bright blue bums.

97. The Donald Trump caterpillar looks identical to the ex-president’s hair.

This species of caterpillar, prior to 2016, was known as the Flannel Moth Caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis). It gained popularity as it is very furry and bright orange, giving it an uncanny resemblance to Trump’s hair (wig?). This ‘fur’ however, is actually composed of multiple venomous ‘hairs’. Grabbing hold of one of these caterpillars is a painful experience. 38

98. Bees have 5 eyes. 2 at the front like a fly, and 3 smaller eyes like a spider.

The three ‘ocelli’ eyes on the top of its head detect light, so the bee can sense if it’s being approached by a predator.

99. Giant vampire bats lived 100,000 years ago and had a wingspan of 50cm (20 inches).

These giant bats were roughly 30% larger than the modern vampire bats. The remains of one were recently found in a cave in Argentina.

100. There are no ‘male’ Mourning geckos.

They are an all female species, as they are ‘parthenogenetic’, meaning it can reproduce without males. Around 70 species in the world have shown this behaviour, including some crabs, snails and the Komodo dragon .

101. There are an estimated 8.7 million species on earth and more than 80% of them are undiscovered.

Based on current data, complex statistics, and models we can predict how many species there are on Earth, telling us how many are still left to be found. It will likely take another 500 years to find them all. 39

Fact Sources & References

E. Davies (2016), “The Worlds Loudest Animal May Surprise You”, via BBC Earth
J. Findlay (2009), “Why are flamingos pink?”, via Science Focus
N. Sapir, R. Dudley (2012). “Backward flight in hummingbirds employs unique kinematic adjustments and entails low metabolic cost”, via Biologists.org .
R. Nuwer (2013), “Dolphins Seem to Use Toxic Pufferfish to Get High”, via Smithsonian .
S. Worral (2017). “Without bugs, we might all be dead”, via National Geographic .
S. Hewitt (2015). “If it has too, horned lizards will shoot blood from their eyes”, via BBC Earth .
B. Yirka (2015). “Why roosters don’t go deaf from their own loud crowing”, via Phys.org .
M. Walker (2016), “Giant squid can grow to extraordinary lengths”, via BBC Earth
A. Williams (2016). “These birds can fly almost 10-months without landing”, via National Geographic.
C. Choi (2007). “A nuclear war may not trouble them, but does decapitation?”, via Scientific American .
D. Fischer (1998). “Energy Aspects of Manure Management”, via University of Illinois .
M.Wittlin (2006). “Charles Dawin Contemporary Marches Towards Her Third Century”, via Seed Magazine .
J. Sueur, D. Mackie, J.Windmill (2011). “So Small, So Loud: Extremely High Sound Pressure Level from a Pygmy Aquatic Insect”. PLOS One .
S. Pappas (2012). “Slam Dunk! Why Giant Squid Sport Basketball-Size Eyes”, via Live Science .
E. Davies (2016). “The greatest jumper on Earth is probably not a flea”, via BBC .
J. Croxall et al (2005). “Global Circumnavigations: Tracking Year-Round Ranges of Nonbreeding Albatrosses”, via Science Mag .
F. Liechti et al (2013). “First evidence of a 200-day non-stop flight in a bird”, via Nature.com .
C. Wilcox (2017). “Some Animals Don’t Actually Sleep for the Winter, and Other Surprises About Hibernation”, via National Geographic .
Than K. How Whales Attack Squid: Mystery Deepens. Live Science . Published 2007. Accessed May 10, 2021.
Kukalová-Peck J. Carboniferous protodonatoid dragonfly nymphs and the synapo- morphies of Odonatoptera and Ephemeroptera (Insecta: Palaeoptera) JARMILA KUKALOVÁ-PECK. Palaeodiversity. 2009. Research Gate . Accessed May 10, 2021.
Wolchover N. Koalas Have Human-like Fingerprints | Live Science . Accessed May 11, 2021.
Nielsen J, Hedeholm RB, Heinemeier J, et al. Eye lens radiocarbon reveals centuries of longevity in the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Science (80- ). 2016;353(6300):702-704. doi:10.1126/science.aaf1703
Larabee FJ, Smith AA, Suarez A V. Snap-jaw morphology is specialized for high-speed power amplification in the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae. R Soc Open Sci. 2018;5(12). doi:10.1098/rsos.181447
Box Jellyfish | National Geographic . Accessed May 11, 2021.
Young LC, VanderWerf EA. Adaptive value of same-sex pairing in Laysan albatross. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci. 2013;281(1775). doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.2473
Bird CD, Emery NJ. Rooks perceive support relations similar to six-month-old babies. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci. 2010;277(1678):147-151. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.1456
Knolle F, Goncalves RP, Jennifer Morton A. Sheep recognize familiar and unfamiliar human faces from two-dimensional images. R Soc Open Sci. 2017;4(11). doi:10.1098/rsos.171228
Copely J. Indestructible | New Scientist. New Scientist . Published 1999. Accessed May 12, 2021.
Deepest fish – Press Office – Newcastle University . Accessed June 21, 2021.
Phillips C. Snap, crackle, tweet: Tennessee Tech helps aquarium’s electric eel make splash on social media | Chattanooga Times Free Press . Published 2015. Accessed June 22, 2021.
Carter GG, Farine DR, Crisp RJ, Vrtilek JK, Ripperger SP, Page RA. Development of New Food-Sharing Relationships in Vampire Bats. Curr Biol. 2020;30(7):1275-1279.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.055
Dolphins In Defence: How Marine Mammals Are Used By The Military . Accessed June 28, 2021.
Gorilla Youngsters Seen Dismantling Poachers’ Traps—A First. National Geographic . Accessed June 28, 2021
Qiu Q, Zhang G, Ma T, et al. The yak genome and adaptation to life at high altitude. Nat Genet 2012 448. 2012;44(8):946-949. doi:10.1038/ng.2343
Schorr GS, Falcone EA, Moretti DJ, Andrews RD. First long-term behavioral records from Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) reveal record-breaking dives. PLoS One. 2014;9(3). doi:10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0092633
Roach J. Chimps Use “Spears” to Hunt Mammals, Study Says. National Geographic . Published 2007. Accessed August 10, 2021.
DJ L, L M, H V, et al. Wood frog adaptations to overwintering in Alaska: new limits to freezing tolerance. J Exp Biol. 2014;217(Pt 12):2193-2200. doi:10.1242/JEB.101931
Wilcox C. Meet The Trumpapillar: The Venomous Caterpillar That Perfectly Mimics The Donald’s Hair | Discover Magazine . Accessed August 16, 2021.
Sweetlove L. Number of species on Earth tagged at 8.7 million. Nature. August 2011. doi:10.1038/NEWS.2011.498

Entertainment

Naadu Nudi Kannada: 9 Things Kannadigas Take Pride In

13 interesting facts about engineering that you must know on engineers day.

To begin with, Happy Engineers Day to every engineer out there. Engineers are always special in contributing to the nation, so here are few interesting facts about engineering.

There’s a famous quote for engineers that we all have might come across, if you are an Engineer yourself or you might have friends, cousins who would have shared it once they graduate.

Well, here it is

4 years, 8 semesters, 48 subjects, 200 exams, 500 assignments, few backlogs, 1000 of friends, memories, and fun. We are Engineers, done and dusted.

Just imagine this, if there is anything that is widely followed by people after religion, it’s Engineering. Also, India is called the land of Engineers.

Let us take a wild guess, we know you are an Engineer if you are reading this.

On this Engineers Day, India celebrates it as a tribute to one of the prominent engineer that we all have heard of. The most influential engineers from India. It’s none other than Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.

That’s right, simple living and high thinking was his ideology. On this day here are some of the facts that everyone should know.

1. First Engineer in India

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was the first engineer in India. The government of Bombay recruited Sir M Visvesvaraya as Assitant Engineer in the department of public works.

2. The First Female Engineer in India

How many of you guys know this??

A Lalitha is the first female Electric Engineer in India. Also, she was the first female student of CEG(College of Engineering), Chennai.

3. Mechanical Engineering

This branch in Engineering is called as Father, Mother, and King of all braches. To point out, students from this branch often say ‘We Are Royal Mech’.

4. The Founder of Engineering

The first civil Engineer of the world is Imhotep. He most likely planned and regulated the development of the Pyramid of Djoser (a Step Pyramid) at Saqqara in Egypt around 2630-2611 BC.

5. The First Female Engineer in the World

Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu is the first female Engineer in the world to receive a degree in Engineering.

6. Telangana Engineer’s Day

This state celebrates the Engineer’s Day on the 11th of July as a tribute to Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur and not on September 15th.

7. Highest Paid Branch in Engineering

In this case, Petroleum Engineering is the highest paid job in India and around the globe. In addition to this, Petroleum and Chemical Engineering are also in high demand.

8. Oldest Branch of Engineering

Civil Engineering is the oldest branch of Engineering.

9. It’s been 98 Years

In India Engineering was started in the year 1921 as Government Technological Institute.

Furthermore,

10. Toughest Branch

Mechanical Engineering is the toughest branch. In this case, everyone would agree with this. Also, followed by Electrical and Chemical Engineering.

11. Computer Science

This branch is the most popular and favorite in Engineering among females.

12. Easiest Branch

Computer Science and Information Technology are easiest branches in engineering.

13. Some of the Notable Works of Sir M Visvesvaraya

He was the Dewan of Mysore state.
The chief architect of the Krishna Sagara Dam in Mysuru.
The mastermind for constructing roadways between Tirupati and Tirumala.
Flood Protection System for Hyderabad city.
He invented the block system – the automated doors for dams that close in the conditions of overflow.

These were some of the interesting facts that everyone should know.

Recommended Read: 17 Minimalist Posters That Brilliantly Illustrate The Branches of Engineering

Happy Engineer’s Day

Happy Engineers Day
Sir M Visvesvaraya

Culinary adventures for little ones: creative kids food recipes for healthy growth, crowning glory: navigating women’s hair fall with expert guidance, unleashing your full potential: conquering the patchy beard dilemma with beard apps, latest posts, embracing mumbai’s coastal charms: beaches, seafood and spectacular sunsets.

Latest Articles

Bangalore’s sweet spots: a journey through the city’s best cake bakeries.

Superrlife is an online platform that connects you to the best of Namma Bengaluru Namma Karnataka. Whether it's entertainment, creative content or interesting stories, Superrlife articles will have you hooked!

Who's in the NCAA tournament Sweet 16? March Madness facts entering second weekend

It's the fifth time since 1979 that all of the No. 1 seeds and No. 2 seeds reached the NCAA tournament Sweet 16.

Regional semifinals are set for Thursday (March 28) and Friday (March 29). Many of the first round's Cinderella stories were sent home in the second round, including Oakland, Duquesne, James Madison, Grand Canyon and Yale.

All three Big East teams that received bids reached the Sweet 16. Houston and Iowa State are representing the Big 12.

What to know about some of the upcoming Sweet 16 matchups:

West No. 6 Clemson and No. 2 Arizona will get the Sweet 16 under way in Los Angeles.

The Tigers and Wildcats will meet Thursday at 7:09 p.m. Eastern on CBS, with Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson and Allie LaForce on the broadcast. The same broadcast team will handle Thursday night's game between West No. 4 Alabama and No. 1 North Carolina, which tips after the conclusion of the first game.

Clemson pulled off the biggest upset of the second round in terms of seeds, knocking off No. 3 Baylor on Sunday.

Clemson is the only No. 6 seed remaining in the tournament. Of the Sweet 16 teams, only No. 11 North Carolina State is seeded lower.

Clemson is one of four ACC teams in the Sweet 16. Arizona is the only Pac-12 representative.

When East No. 5 seed San Diego State faces No. 1 UConn, it will be a rematch of last year's championship game.

The Aztecs and Huskies are scheduled to meet in Boston on Thursday at 7:39 p.m. Eastern on TBS/truTV, with Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy and Andy Katz on the broadcast. The same team will work the second East region game of the night in Boston, between No. 3 Illinois and No. 2 Iowa State.

On three other occasions, teams have met in an NCAA tournament after facing each other in the previous year's title game:

2007: Florida vs UCLA1991: UNLV vs Duke1962: Cincinnati vs Ohio State

UConn head coach Dan Hurley's reaction to playing Thursday in Boston:

North Carolina State and Marquette met in the championship game 50 years ago.

The Wolfpack won the 1974 title with a 76-64 win against the Golden Eagles.

In this year's Sweet 16, the only remaining double-digit seed, South No. 11 NC State, will meet No. 2 Marquette in Dallas on Friday at 7:09 p.m. Eastern on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and Tracy Wolfson on the broadcast.

In the second round, NC State needed overtime to get past Oakland; Marquette held off a second-half Colorado rally to win by four.

The other early game Friday night is Midwest No. 5 Gonzaga vs. No. 1 Purdue in Detroit. A 7:39 p.m. tip on TBS/truTV, Gonzaga-Purdue gets a play-by-play/analyst/reporter combo of Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas and Evan Washburn.

South No. 1 seed Houston gets to play in its home state of Texas.

The Cougars needed overtime to eliminate No. 9 Texas A&M after the Aggies' Andersson Garcia made a 3-pointer at the end of regulation. Houston also became the fifth team (and first since 1987) in NCAA tournament history to win a game despite having four players foul out.

But Houston will play its Sweet 16 game against No. 4 Duke in Dallas on Friday. The CBS broadcast with Eagle, Raftery, Hill and Wolfson will tip after the conclusion of NC State-Marquette.

The late game in Detroit on Friday, Midwest No. 2 Tennessee against No. 3 Creighton, will tip after the conclusion of the Gonzaga-Purdue game, with Catalon, Lappas and Washburn on TBS/truTV.

LOVE SPORTS? [ Subscribe now for unlimited access to Cincinnati.com ]

IMAGES

Awesome Assignment Help Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
How to Use Fun Facts in the Classroom
fun facts about assignments
150+ Presentation Topic Ideas for Students [Plus Templates]
15 Funny Facts About Real Teachers: Poster
How to Write an Assignment: Step by Step Guide

VIDEO

50 Unbelievable Facts to Boost Your Culture Quotient
Bro understood the assignment 😂😂
Facts and device assignment 4 answer 👍
A 5th grader created new molecule
Satisfying Bits of Trivia... #short #facts #satysfying
4 Fun Facts About Tuxedo Cats (A School Project From 10/13/2023)

COMMENTS

30+ Interesting Facts About Homework You Should Know
Reinforcing Learning: Homework helps reinforce the lessons that students learn in the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to practice what they have learned and reinforce their knowledge. Developing Study Habits: Homework is an excellent way to teach students good study habits.
Did You Know? 61 Amazing Facts
The chicken came first because the egg shell contains a protein that can only be made from a hen. It is mainly men who experience colorblindness.1/20 men experience color blindness as opposed to 1/200 women. Scientists were called "natural philosophers" until the 17th century because science didn't exist as a concept.
70 Fun + Fascinating Women's History Month Facts to Inspire Your
1. The nation's first Women's History Day celebration was in NYC in 1909. 2. In 1869, the Wyoming Territory was the first place to give women the right to vote. 3. Despite that major milestone, all American women couldn't vote until nearly a century later in 1965 when President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. 4.
9 Interesting & Weird Facts About Homework (Updated 2023)
Experimental Assignments. Particularly common in science subjects, these assignments involve conducting experiments, gathering data, and drawing conclusions. 5. Review and Revision ... 9 Interesting & Weird Facts About Homework. Below we mentioned 9 interesting as well as weird facts about homework that a student must know. On the other hand ...
11 Surprising Homework Statistics, Facts & Data (2024)
8. US Teens Spend more than 15 Hours per Week on Homework. The same study by the Better Sleep Council also found that US teens spend over 2 hours per school night on homework, and overall this added up to over 15 hours per week. Surprisingly, 4% of US teens say they do more than 6 hours of homework per night.
101 fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best and most random interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space, history, the world and much more.
Who Invented Homework? 6 Fun Facts About Homework
Students have repeatedly complained of homework becoming an additional burden resulting in increased stress and anxiety. The high difficulty level of assignments lead to the development of self-doubts in students and lower their morale. Besides unrealistic time periods allotted for assignments give rise to frustration and hopelessness in ...
125 Interesting Facts
Fact: The bumblebee bat is the world's smallest mammal. Weighing in at 0.05 to 0.07 ounces, with a head-to-body length of 1.14 to 1.29 inches and a wingspan of 5.1 to 5.7 inches, the bumblebee ...
100 History Facts They Didn't Teach You At School
Augustus Caesar was the wealthiest man to ever live in history. The nephew and heir of Julius Caesar, Roman Emperor Augustus, had an estimated net worth of $4.6 trillion when counting for inflation. Some say that Mansa Musa, king of Timbuktu, was the world's wealthiest man as his wealth was apparently too great to count.
100 Interesting Facts Everyone Should Know
Gossip and complaining make up approximately 80% of most people's conversations. [28] Developing a larger vocabulary may help protect you against depression. It allows you to precisely label--and confront--subtle emotions. [30] Riding or sitting on a sea turtle in the United States is a 3rd degree felony.
15 Things We Have Learned About Critical Thinking
A person said what they said, not how you interpret what they said. If you are unclear as to what has been said, ask for clarification. Asking for clarity is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign ...
251 Fun Facts For Kids
24. Bees are found everywhere in the world except Antarctica. Learn more random, crazy facts about Bees here! 25. Weird but true - Horses and cows can sleep lightly while standing up! 26. Insects have inhabited the Earth for about 350 million years while humans have been here for only 300,000 years. 27.
53 Interesting Facts About The Brain
1. The size of a typical brain is almost 2% of a body's weight but is uses 20% of the body's energy and oxygen intake. Now, when you use your brain much, be cautious, you are actually burning a lot of calories, indeed. Even at rest, it is estimated to use one-fifth of a calorie. 2. 73% of the brain is filled with water.
20 Facts About Engineering
Engineering is more than just a profession - it's a calling that involves solving the world's most pressing problems. These 20 facts highlight the impact of engineering on society and underscore why engineers are vital to our world. Whether it's designing spacecraft, building skyscrapers, or developing sustainable technologies ...
95 Fun Facts Everyone Should Know
Their bodies convert waste into protein. [23] White-faced capuchin monkeys greet each other by sticking their fingers up each others' noses. [23] [28] Gummy bears were originally called " dancing bears." [29] New Zealand has more cats per person than any other country in the world.
Fun Facts for an "About Me" Intro
It can be hard to think of anything fun about yourself when you're put on the spot. Even when you're not! Check out some great examples of fun facts you can bring up about yourself next time.
32 Fun Uranus Facts, Trivia, and More
However, at magnitude 5.3, Uranus is just within the brightness scale for the human eye to see in perfect conditions. [3] Uranus was too dim for ancient civilizations to see it. [3] Uranus is the first planet to be discovered in modern times. [3] Uranus orbits the sun every 84 Earth years. [3]
11 things you didn't know about the US Constitution
11 things you didn't know about the US Constitution. Sophia Mitrokostas. Jan 16, 2019, 8:16 AM PST. The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Getty ...
All About the Presidents Unit Study (FREE)
Presidential fun facts. Find out which president is associated with the fun facts on the worksheet. All About Presidents: Fun Facts » All About Presidents: Fun Facts Answer Key » Political parties through the years. Presidents are aligned with a particular political party. Learn about the ideologies of the parties listed below.
The 25 San Francisco Fun Facts You'll Wish You Knew Before
8. Given that S.F. is a coffee mecca, this fun fact may not surprise you: There are over 300 coffeehouses within the San Francisco city boundaries, so there's no shortage of places for you to go to add a pep to your step. 9. San Francisco has more dogs than children—10,000 more to be exact.
Tornado Facts!
Check out our ten top facts about tornadoes… 1) Tornadoes - also known as "twisters" - are violently rotating columns of air that reach from a storm cloud to the earth's surface. 2) The winds of a tornado can reach speeds of up to 480km per hour - that's strong enough to peel the roofs off houses, uproot trees and hurl heavy objects, such as cars, hundreds of metres!
101 Greatest Animal Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
Here's our big list of the 101 greatest animal facts. This includes some of the most asked, fun, surprising and crazy animal facts from across the animal kingdom. The loudest, deadliest, fastest, largest, most bizarre and random, are all here in our big animal fact list. 1. The loudest animal in the world is a mere 2cm long, prawn.
Evidence
Takeaways The rate of change since the mid-20th century is unprecedented over millennia. Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 800,000 years, there have been eight cycles of ice ages and warmer periods, with the end of the last ice age about 11,700 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate […]
Interesting Facts About Engineering
4 years, 8 semesters, 48 subjects, 200 exams, 500 assignments, few backlogs, 1000 of friends, memories, and fun. We are Engineers, done and dusted. Just imagine this, if there is anything that is widely followed by people after religion, it's Engineering. Also, India is called the land of Engineers.
Who's in the Sweet 16? March Madness facts through first weekend
In this year's Sweet 16, the only remaining double-digit seed, South No. 11 NC State, will meet No. 2 Marquette in Dallas on Friday at 7:09 p.m. Eastern on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant ...