Caroline Donnelly

3 Really Long Wars

Some wars seem to go on forever, and others actually do. Here are a few wars that have outlasted entire generations of people. 1. Isles of Scilly vs. Dutch Republic (335 Years) The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War is not only among the world's longest wars, but also one with the fewest casualties. Remarkably, a shot was never even fired, and the two parties didn't even know that they were in a war. The conflict originated during the Second English Civil War, part of the historic fight... READ ON

3 Really Short Wars

Many leaders resort to war only as a last resort, and vow to achieve their results quickly. Here are a few wars that did just that, including one that was over in less time than it would take to watch a History Channel special about it. 1. Sino-Vietnamese War (27 Days) The 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War was the third in a little over twenty years between the two countries and was started, in part, by unresolved issues from previous conflicts. China supported the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, while Vietnam... READ ON

5 Weather Events Worth Chatting About

Usually, the weather is a subject for polite, uneventful conversation with people you don't know very well. But sometimes the weather is weird, or even downright scary. Here are a few examples of weather events that gave neighbors more than enough to awkwardly discuss. 1. Dramatic ChangesMidwesterners are accustomed to using both their heat and air conditioning in the same day due to dramatic temperature changes and unseasonable weather. The "Great Blue Norther" of 1911 was the most... READ ON

What Neil Armstrong Meant To Say

The Famous Line: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." What He Meant To Say: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for... READ ON

The Extraordinary Lives of the World's Tallest People

As a relatively tall person, I know that excessive height means struggling to find fashionable shoes that fit and fighting sneeze guards at salad bars. Here are the stories of several people way taller than me, the good they've done with their extreme height, and the problems encountered along the way. Sandy Allen Until her death on August 13, Sandy Allen was verified by Guinness Book of World Records as the world's tallest woman—over 7-feet, 7-inches—a record she held since 1976.... READ ON

7 Ways to Cope with Movie Star Deaths

As The Dark Knight approaches the $450 million mark, Oscar buzz is building for the late Heath Ledger. Christopher Nolan has insisted that he did not digitally alter or use stand-ins to complete Ledger's scenes—this was the director's attempt to preserve the integrity of the late actor's performance. Unfortunately, that honor was not bestowed upon the legacies of other departed actors. Here are a few methods directors have used to fill the gaps left by deceased movie stars—some... READ ON

7 Tragic SNL Deaths

Ten years ago today, Saturday Night Live alum Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife. Due to the tragic nature of his death, as well as other high-profile deaths of former SNL cast members, the media was abuzz with talk of an SNL curse. In 31 seasons, 118 cast members have appeared on the show and seven of them have died. That's only a five-percent fatality rate. While there probably isn't a curse, here is a chronological look at the deaths of seven former cast... READ ON

6 Famous American Streets (And What Makes Them So Special)

Every town has a Broadway or a Main Street. And while some are more exciting than others, they all kind of look the same. Here's a look at six famous American streets, and what makes them so special. Canal Street, New Orleans,... READ ON

The Hunting Strategies of Carnivorous Plants

Not the blood-thirsty Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors "“ we're talking about the very real plants that feast on insects and invertebrates. Carnivorous plants are usually found in environments with low-nutrient soil, like bogs and swamps, where they thrive on the sunshine and warm temperatures. Contrary to popular belief, carnivorous plants don't derive their energy from their prey, merely nutrients. Especially nitrogen. The really cool thing about carnivorous plants (aside from... READ ON

7 Famous Phrases Famous People Own

A trademark is a word, symbol, or phrase used to identify particular products. Think of Nike and their swoosh. Common words and phrases can be trademarked by companies or individuals if the entity submitting the request can prove that the meaning of the phrase has a distinctive second meaning. Here are seven examples of individuals who have successfully turned their catchphrase into a trademark "“ and often, a hefty profit.... READ ON

7 Advertisements Just Barely Disguised as Video Games

Companies are always trying to sneak advertisements into our daily lives. Not surprisingly, advertising based games (or advergames) have been around almost as long as the video games themselves. Here are some of the more notable examples. 1. Cool... READ ON

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