Julia Davis

Julia Davis

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Julia Davis is a sophomore at Williams College in Massachusetts, where she writes for the student newspaper and studies 27 hours a day thanks to a time turner. Although she originally enrolled with the intent to major in World Domination, she switched to History after being unable to grow the requisite facial hair. Her hobbies include exercising, singing, and crashing hip-hop dance parties with the electric slide.

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9 Tips for that James K. Polk Bash You’re Probably Planning

Wikimedia Commons Looking for ways to go wild this weekend? Then think about throwing a big-time 217th birthday bash for one of America’s least known presidents of all time, Mr. James K. Polk, born November 2, 1795. Here are some hosting tips to get you started... 1. Keep a low profile... We’ve all been to parties with an overbearing host who insists on being the center of attention. But your posh Polk party demands a self-effacing touch. Be the mysterious, shadowy host that blends into the... READ ON

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8 People Who Played Presidential Candidates in Mock Debates

You’ve probably heard that Barack Obama recruited Massachusetts senator and ketchup-magnate-by-marriage John Kerry to play Mitt Romney in mock debates. But Obama certainly isn’t the first president to fine-tune his skills through pseudo smackdowns. In fact, almost every presidential candidate in recent years has hired a surrogate sparring partner. Here are 8 all-star stand-ins and the politicians they portrayed. 1. Television Monitor as Jimmy Carter (1976) Gerald Ford staged the first full-scale... READ ON

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The Time Abraham Lincoln and a Political Rival Almost Dueled on an Island

Exactly 170 years ago today, the Mississippi River levee in Alton, Illinois, was crammed full of spectators awaiting the results of a highly anticipated duel -- a smackdown between Abraham Lincoln and political rival James Shields. Only one man could emerge victorious. Onlookers held their breath in suspense as they spotted a boat approaching with a blood-soaked body draped over the bow. It had all started where so many skirmishes do: the Illinois state... READ ON

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A Dunder Mifflin Tour of Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a Mecca of sorts for fans of The Office, playing home to the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and the lovable cast of characters that work there. While the show is actually filmed in California, there are plenty of references to Scranton hangout spots sprinkled throughout the script. To see if these Office-endorsed locales are all they’re cracked up to be, I ventured on a tour-de-Electric City, Michael Scott-style. Places that actually exist Alfredo’s Pizza... READ ON

lists

9 Tips for Planning a William Taft Birthday Bash

Looking for a way to liven up your Saturday night? Here’s a complete idiot’s guide to throwing a 155th birthday bash for America’s largest-and-in-chargest commander-in-chief: the great William Howard Taft. 1. The Food Almonds, almonds, and more almonds. Smokehouse, cinnamon, vinegar, chocolate – any flavor under the sun. Big Lub, as he was fondly known, couldn’t get enough of these delectable little nuts. In fact, he was known to consume a pound in a single sitting (in case you were wondering,... READ ON

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Swilling the Planters With Bumbo: How George Washington Won Votes Before Campaign Ads

In colonial times, it was considered ungentlemanly, corrupt, and downright sleazy to openly solicit votes through campaign speeches and advertisements. Instead, upstanding politicians engaged in an old and cherished tradition called “swilling the planters with bumbo” – otherwise known as "getting voters drunk on Election Day." (Bumbo was a type of rum.) In Washington's day, elections were largely an excuse to... READ ON

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Why Can't You Remember Being a Baby?

There are probably blackout periods you can’t remember at all from your childhood, and the memories you do have are likely hazy and garbled. Although pretty much everyone experiences this phenomenon known as childhood amnesia, its causes are still somewhat of an enigma. Here are 4 hypotheses that might explain why you can’t remember much from your pre-kindergarten days.1. Your Brain Was UnderdevelopedMany neuroscientists argue that infants can’t lay down long-term memories because their brains... READ ON

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11 Tips for That Benjamin Harrison Birthday Bash You're Probably Planning

If you’re looking for an excuse to host an impromptu Monday get-together, why not throw a birthday bash for America's last bearded president? Today happens to be Benjamin Harrison’s 179th. Here are 11 party-planning tips that’ll help you set the scene for an epic celebration. 1. Leave the Lights On It is imperative that your rave be well-lit. Benjamin Harrison was the first president to have electricity installed in the White House. He was so afraid of being electrocuted that he refused to touch... READ ON

articles

The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships Were Yesterday

The World Mobile Phone Throwing Championship took place yesterday in the small town of Savonlinna, Finland. In this international, no-holds-barred competition, people from across the globe throw phones as far as possible to win the sought-after grand prize – a new phone. The Rules Contestants can’t actually use their own phones (which is probably for the best). Instead, they must select one of the models provided by the organizers. Choosing the perfect phone requires a lot of strategy. There’s a... READ ON

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The Belgian Plan to Give Beer to Schoolchildren

In 2001, Belgian schools waged a new front in the war against childhood obesity. In an effort to keep kids away from sugary drinks, a plan emerged to swap soda and lemonade for a healthy alternative: beer. In this unique scheme, the school would serve up a relatively weak brew called tafelbier, which contains 1.5-2.5% alcohol (a regular Budweiser has 5.5%). Kids would choose between lager and bitter. The brewsky came in 25 or 33 centiliter bottles—a bit less than the amount of beer in standard 12-oz... READ ON

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