With Election Day less than a week away, we’ve all heard & seen plenty of campaign ads on Radio & TV, which almost always end with a disclaimer that the politician being advocated has authorized the spot. Usually, the person says “I approve this message.” So, that’s obviously a requirement, right? But why? The Bipartisan…
While most political officials serve for a defined period of time, U.S. Supreme Court Justices serve for life (which can span more than 3 decades nowadays). Potentially, justices appointed in the 21st century could sit on the Supreme Court for an average total of 35 years, thanks to longer lifespans, as compared to the average…
Ever wondered why we, as Americans, always seem to vote on Tuesdays? Well, there are reasons why that is. Farming reasons. Back in 1788, states would determine their own voting dates. But, it was a logistical nightmare: a national patchwork quilt of elections across the country, on different dates & at different times, all…
Why are graves “six feet deep”? Who decided that? Well, the simple answer: it started with the plague. The beginnings of the phrase “6 feet under” came from an outbreak of the plague in 1665 England. As the plague devastatingly swept across the country, London’s mayor at the time decreed precisely what was to…
It’s that time of year: horror movie time! Now I think we can all agree that, when it comes to scary movies, people either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Not too many people are neutral on the subject. But for those of us who love terror flicks, the question usually asked by those who don’t…
Though it’ll probably look & feel a bit different this year (thanks COVID), Halloween’s almost here. And everyone is trying to figure out exactly how they want to dress up. But why do we put on costumes on “All Hallows’ Eve”? There’s no single explanation for how the tradition of wearing Halloween costumes originated. Much…
Crosswalks rarely give you the green light (or, to be more specific, the human-shaped white light) after you press the button, so you’ve probably wondered if those buttons even work. The answer is…it depends. The first thing you should know: crosswalk buttons aren’t designed to be immediate. They just tell the system someone’s…
Let’s be honest: the best part about staying in a hotel isn’t the free toiletries or the crisp sheets on comfy beds…it’s the free breakfast. The best place to start your day is at an all-you-can-eat buffet, after all. But what makes a continental breakfast “continental”. American-style waffles & bagels don’t have anything to do…