For the decade you were born, what was the most influential societal or cultural change?
From five years before your birth year, and five years after, that ten years, what development, event, or cultural change most effected your country or the world?...
Jack-o-Lanterns Orgins
Was thinking about this as Halloween is coming up. Where did the concept of jack-o-lanterns come from? When did people start making the shift from carving faces to carving whatever? Why use pumpkins? ...
Why do different countries drive on different sides of the road?
My friend was in Ireland last summer (back when travelling was a thing) and was talking about how difficult it was for her family to readjust to driving on the other side of the road, especially since they ended up with a manual car. Why is it different between countries? ...
Is there any rhyme or reason to telephone numbers? Are area codes holdovers from the days of telephone operators?
The area codes, I understand they're related to geographical locations. There's a little bit of similarity between the next 3 digits of the phone numbers, but I can't see a pattern. Is there any reason they are what they are?...
New Year Resolutions - Where did this practice come from? Do people the world over set resolutions?
I've been asked quite a few times what my 2021 resolutions are, and it got me thinking. Where did this practice come from and when? And do cultures around the world also have this practice?...
What kind of last name is "Bumpass"?
Where does it come from? Does it mean something?...
Why Did France Declare War on Germany in 1939 and Then Just Surrender?
Yes, I know quite a bit about the Second World War. France declared war on September 3, 1939, tried to extend their silly Maginot Line across Belgium to the sea, but otherwise sat on their behinds staring into Germany. Then, when the Germans came through, the French abandoned Paris and s...
Should African American history be taught in grade school just like Caucasian American history is taught?
In Texas, we did not learn much about African American history in school. It seemed it was deliberate in nature because teaching it would show Caucasian Americans in an unfavorable light. Should African American history be embedded into school curriculums as they are as much a part of the h...
