News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
Wang Mang was the one and only emperor of the Xin dynasty. He nationalized all land in the empire, set prices through a state purchasing agency, introduced an income tax, and create state monopolies over essential goods.
The people suffered. He was overthrown in a revolt after seven years and his body hacked to pieces.
Are you listening Bernie Sanders?
We now know over 12 trillion digits to Pi and yet no pattern has been found in them.
Richest President — Can a rich person be a good president? Yes. The richest president America ever had was George Washington, with a net worth of $525,000.
$525,000 is not rich you say? In G.W.’s day $1 was worth $1,000 today. Accounting for inflation, his worth would be $525 million.
Pennsylvania is spelled Pensylvania on the Liberty Bell.
England taxed windows — In 1691, England taxed the number of windows on a house. Consequently, houses began to be built with very few windows or people would close up existing windows. When people began to suffer health problems from lack of windows/air, the tax was finally repealed in 1851.
Who was Sonya Kalish? That was the birth name of Sophie Tucker, also known as “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas”.
Taxidermied Jeremy Bentham — The philosopher Jeremy Bentham asked to be taxidermied after his death so he was. Only the face didn’t turn out right so the artist made one of wax and put it on the body. He left the real head at the figure’s feet.
Five days after the Titanic sank, filming began for the silent movie Saved from the Titanic. It starred then famous actress Dorothy Gibson, who had just literally been saved from the Titanic.
Mice are color blind.
About 90 percent of people who use housekeepers and babysitters cheat on their taxes.