Apparently, not everyone subscribes to the notion of loving thy neighbor. Throughout the United States, you can find numerous buildings constructed or modified with the specific purpose of annoying others. Known as spite houses, these dwellings can be irritating for various different reasons. Maybe they hinder what otherwise would be a nice view. Or perhaps […]
A Smelly Situation – London’s Great Stink of 1858
London in the summertime sounds quite lovely, but in 1858, it was probably the last place anyone would want to be. That summer the city really stunk. Like, it literally smelled rancid, and the city could barely function as a result. The putrid odor, which emanated from the iconic River Thames, came to be known […]
The Tunguska Event – Siberia’s Mystery Explosion
The Tunguska Event It happened on June 30, 1908. A fireball ripped through the daytime sky above a remote forest in Siberia, close to the Podkamennaya Tunguska river. Moments later, a roaring shockwave rattled homes and knocked people off their feet. Today, it is known as the Tunguska Event. The explosion depleted some 2,000 sq […]
How to Make a This or That Quiz
If you’ve been around Sporcle for a little while, you’ve probably seen a few This or That quizzes. If you haven’t, This or That quizzes usually consist of a series of hints which you must then classify into one category or another. Mark Heald Mark Heald is an Associate Product Manager and Sporcle Admin. He […]
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity – A History of Bastille Day
Every year on July 14, France celebrates their national holiday, known to English speakers as Bastille Day. Across the country, people celebrate by attending parades and parties, and of course eating plenty of delicious food. So just what is Bastille Day all about? Here’s a little background. Mark Heald Mark Heald is an Associate Product […]
The Worst Home Run Derby Performances of All-Time
Each year before the MLB All-Star Game, the league’s best sluggers come together for an annual home run hitting contest. Since its humble origins in the early 1980s, the Home Run Derby has become a fan favorite, and is one of the most-watched events broadcast on ESPN. The popularity of the event should not be […]
Interesting Geography Facts – North America
Can’t get enough geography? We’re right there with you. The world is a big, beautiful, fascinating place. Here are a few geography facts related to North America that you might find interesting. 1. Alaska is the northernmost, westernmost AND easternmost state. It’s not hard to imagine Alaska being the northernmost and westernmost state in the US. […]
10 Interesting Facts About the 4th of July
BBQs, fireworks, friends and family; the 4th of July truly is an American classic. While we all know this is the date America celebrates its independence, there may be a few fun tidbits about our country’s birthday that you might not know. Here are 10 interesting facts about the 4th of July that you can […]
What Is Canada Day and How Do You Celebrate It?
What is Canada Day? On July 1, 1867, the British North Americas Act joined together the three separate colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and created a single Dominion within the British Empire called Canada. Canadians were encouraged to celebrate this anniversary the following year, but there was no official commemoration until 1879, […]
What Was The Piri Reis Map?
Piri Reis In 1929, a map was found inside Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, which had recently been converted into a museum. It was created by a Turkish admiral and cartographer named Piri Reis back in 1513, who used many sources and older maps to make it. The map is noteworthy because of its fairly accurate portrayal […]
Juneteenth – The Other Independence Day
Juneteenth, a hybrid of ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth’, may not be the most creative name for a holiday. Still, this date remains an important anniversary in American history. It was on this date back in 1865 that slavery was finally abolished in Texas. Today, it is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in […]
A History of Father’s Day
People have been celebrating dads for a long time now. The idea of commemorating one’s father goes back to ancient times, and is even in the Old Testament (‘Honor your father…as the Lord your God has commanded you’). While many cultures around the world have long had events or observances centered around fatherhood, the concept […]
The Pig War – An Odd Conflict in American History
In 1859, the United States and the United Kingdom almost went to war, all because of a pig. Of course, we don’t typically think of pigs as instigators of international conflict, but apparently settlers in what is now Washington state took their swines seriously. Here is a short account of one of the stranger and […]
When The US Wanted To Nuke The Moon
Nuke the Moon? It’s one thing to shoot for the stars, but nuking the moon? It might sound like a crazy idea today, but apparently during the Cold War 1950s, nothing was off the table. In America, we like to think of ourselves as the triumphant winners of the Space Race. It’s Old Glory that’s […]
Where Does the Tennis Scoring System Come From?
Love, 15, 30, 40? The Tennis scoring system is weird. From the moment a game begins, nothing really makes sense. Love to Love? Why hate on the classic zero to zero? It doesn’t stop there; as a match progresses things get even stranger. 15, 30, 40? What? Throw in a deuce and now we’re completely […]