Did World War I begin because a driver made a wrong turn?

I’ve gotten some feedback from you regarding a second book based on the silly stuff you read here each week.

While I’m still somewhat on the fence as to whether (or when) to begin the project, I can say that some theatrical friends of mine have already suggested a name for the book, one which I like:

Did You Know…? II: You Don’t Know Jack

It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

In the meantime, as we approach the beginning of fall (this week), I have a fresh, new collection of silliness to share with you. I’ll keep churning these out as long as you keep reading them! (That’s not a threat, it’s a promise.)

Did you know …

… the term “rock and roll” was coined by a disc jockey? The phrase was first used on the air by radio personality Alan Freed (1921-1965). (Kids, rock and roll was a popular music style that began in the 1950s. You know, before your parents were born.)

… sharks only kill when they’re hungry? That isn’t very often, by the way. There are some species of shark that can survive a year without eating, just by living off the oil stored in their bodies. And some sharks can bite hard enough to cut through a piece of thick steel. (Steel isn’t very nutritious, however, so the sharks would prefer … you.)

… a real estate broker in the Netherlands came up with the perfect way to give quick tours of one particular house? In 2014, he built a roller coaster that ran through it. (When he says “quick tour” he means it.)

… despite the difficulties, only one member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition died during the trip? Captain Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and Lieutenant William Clark (1770-1838) led the Corps of Discovery expedition from May 1804 to September 1809, sailing up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to make the first exploration of the Louisiana Territory. The expedition made it all the way to the Pacific Ocean in what is now Washington State, ably aided by Sacagawea (1788-1812), a Shoshone woman who served as a guide and interpreter. Despite the unknown territory, hostile Natives, and questionable food and lodging, only one member of the expedition died. Sergeant Charles Floyd (1782-1804) died of what is now believed to be a burst appendix. (Yep, that’ll do it.)

… World War I began because a driver made a wrong turn? On June 28, 1914, a car carrying Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863-1914) and his wife Sophie (1868-1914) was being driven through the streets of Sarajevo, then part of the country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Earlier in the day, Bosnian anarchists had tried to assassinate the Archduke with a grenade, but the grenade bounced out of their car and into the one behind them before it exploded. Several of the other car’s occupants were seriously injured, and later in the day the couple wanted to visit those who had been hurt, who were hospitalized. The driver of the Archduke’s car was not informed, and he turned down the wrong street – where sat one of the anarchists, Gavrilo Princip (1894-1918). Princip was upset about the failed assassination earlier, but couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his intended target driving toward him. Princip jumped to his feet and shot the Archduke and his wife dead. Austrian leaders declared war on Bosnia in reply, and after a lot of other nations found themselves drawn in by iron-clad treaties, the first World War was underway. (And the rest, as they say, is history.)

… the drinking water in New York City might not be kosher? Orthodox Jewish rabbis warned the people of the city that New York’s drinking water contains harmless microorganisms that, technically, are shellfish, which are forbidden in a kosher diet. (From what I’ve read about water in New York, that’s really the least of their worries.)

… Canada made a legal tender coin with Superman on it? In 2015, a silver coin with the Superman “S” logo on the “heads” side was minted in Canada. There were only 350,000 of them produced, and each was .999 pure silver and had a face value of $20 Canadian. To be legal tender, Canadian money is not required to have a depiction of King Charles III (born 1947), but most newly-produced bills and coins do carry His Majesty’s image.

… it is theoretically possible to dig a hole all the way through the Earth to China? You have to start in Argentina, but – if the technological and physical problems can be overcome – it could be done. (It’s a lot easier and a lot cheaper to hop on a plane, though.)

… some cats are allergic to humans? Sure, you might be allergic to cats, but what about a cat being allergic to you? It can happen. Scientists say any such allergy is probably not to the human per se, but to perfume, cologne, or the soap people use in their laundry or the shower. (Ach-meow!)

… you’ll find more protein in a pound of horseflies than there is in a pound of beef? (Perhaps, but I think I’ll stick with the beef.)

… all cruise ships have a functioning morgue on board? They exist for the obvious possibility of a passenger or crew member passing away on the cruise. (Not many tours of the ship take you there, of course.)

… Alaska is the northernmost state in the United States? Yeah, you already knew that. Well, how about this – it’s also the westernmost, and the easternmost. The Aleutian islands, a part of the big state, extend all the way west to the 180 meridian and cross it, actually becoming part of the eastern half of the Earth. The 180 meridian – also known as the International Date Line – separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. (Alaska is something of an overachiever, it seems.)

Now … you know!

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