Mark Mancini

A native of fabulous Rochester, NY, Mark loves freelance writing, community theater, & anything dinosaur-related. He’s also obsessed with Denver Broncos football.

The Overlooked Paleontologist Who May Have Inspired 'She Sells Sea Shells'

Though Anning didn't receive her due credit from the male naturalists who reaped the benefits of her labors, word of the fossil-hunter's many achievements still managed to spread far and wide during her lifetime.... READ ON

10 Resolute Facts About William Seward

Abraham Lincoln's most trusted advisor may have also been the most divisive politician of his time.... READ ON

A Brief History of the Chicken Dance

It's on the dance floor at nearly every wedding today, but the success of "The Chicken Dance" didn't happen overnight.... READ ON

15 Heroic Facts About Florence Nightingale

The "founder of modern nursing" left a revolutionary mark on sanitation, healthcare ... and pie charts.... READ ON

13 Memorable Facts About D-Day

The Normandy landings—an event better known as “D-Day”—became a pivotal moment in the Second World War. Here's what you need to know.... READ ON

The True Story Behind Gentleman Jack: 10 Facts About Anne Lister

Anne Lister was a businesswoman, a mountaineer, a world traveler, and a science enthusiast. But it’s her love life that she’s mainly remembered for today.... READ ON

10 Colorful Facts About Cassowaries

The dagger-clawed cassowary, native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea, is one of the world's most dangerous birds—and yes, it has killed people.... READ ON

12 Amazing Facts About Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great was one of the most important leaders in its history—and no, she didn't die after trying to have sex with a horse.... READ ON

10 Amazing Facts About Buckingham Palace

For almost two centuries, the reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom have used Buckingham Palace as their administrative headquarters. The building has survived everything from World War II bomb strikes to a crafty undergarment thief.... READ ON

11 Fascinating Facts About the War of the Roses

This 30-plus-year period of bloodshed between England's House of Lancaster and the House of York inspired 'Game of Thrones.'... READ ON

11 Ridiculously Overdue Library Books (That Were Finally Returned)

Next time you bring back a library book a few days past its due date, know that your fine could have been a lot worse.... READ ON

12 Facts for Tennessee Williams's Birthday

Tennessee Williams is best known for having written 'The Glass Menagerie,' 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' and 'Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.' He also hobnobbed with presidents and worked on a film that shocked the censors.... READ ON

11 Memorable Facts About Cats

Andrew Lloyd Webber's dazzling Broadway production spawned the phrase “It was better than 'Cats'!” Here are a few more facts about 'Cats' the musical.... READ ON

25 Facts About Puppies

In honor of National Puppy Day, here are 25 things everyone should know about these four-legged snuggle buddies who are all very good boys.... READ ON

13 Facts About the War of 1812

The War of 1812 was a defining struggle for Canada, the United States, and indigenous peoples across North America.... READ ON

20 Surprising Facts About Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel—who you probably know better by his pen name, Doctor Seuss—came into the world on March 2, 1904. In the 115 years since, he has changed it for the better for readers all over the planet.... READ ON

11 Lesser-Known Animal Phobias

He’s dealt with elaborate booby traps, KGB agents, and a face-melting artifact, but to Indiana Jones, nothing’s more unsettling than snakes. Lots of people can relate.... READ ON

7 of John Adams's Greatest Insults

John Adams had a reputation for articulate jabs and razor-sharp put-downs at the expense of his rivals and allies alike. Here are a few of his best zingers.... READ ON

5 of Abraham Lincoln’s Favorite Foods

The 16th president loved nutritious snacks like apples, although he wasn't above the occasional cheat day.... READ ON

6 Things Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin Had In Common

On February 12, 1809, two of the most revolutionary men of the 19th century were born ... and they had a lot more in common than a knack for growing epic beards.... READ ON

Why is North Always Up on Maps?

Magnetic north is shifting towards Siberia, but that doesn't quite explain why maps put north at the top.... READ ON

11 Facts About Blazing Saddles on Its 45th Anniversary

3. Mel Brooks's audacious comedy was the first movie to incorporate audible flatulence (though the offending noises were muted when the film aired on television).... READ ON

53 Super Facts for Your Super Bowl Party

Want to be the smartest person in the room at this year's Super Bowl party? Bust out a few of these fun facts about Big Games past.... READ ON

11 Things You Should Know About Rent

The rock opera’s uplifting message still strikes a chord with audiences everywhere.... READ ON

10 Surprising Facts About Alexander Hamilton

Even if you've seen the Broadway musical 'Hamilton,' there's probably a lot you don't know about this enigmatic founding father.... READ ON

10 Fun Recipes from Books, Movies, and TV Shows

Fix yourself a cold glass of Butterbeer to go with that Dothraki blood pie.... READ ON

10 Brutal But Hilarious Old Disses of Adorable Animals 

Cheap shots at our fellow creatures.... READ ON

6 Great Scientists Who Were Born on Christmas Day

From the discoverer of titanium to a prehistoric plant expert, these Christmas kids helped us better understand the natural world and our place within it.... READ ON

11 Facts About Mako Sharks

One of Hemingway's most popular stories casts a mako as the antagonist.... READ ON

15 Facts About the Bill of Rights

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, so let’s celebrate by exploring the amendments that helped shape America.... READ ON

25 Species That Have Made Amazing Comebacks

When it comes to rescuing endangered species, progress is an ongoing effort.... READ ON

10 Fun Facts About Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

7. The so-bad-it's-good cult sci-fi comedy from 1964 is the first motion picture to ever depict Mrs. Claus.... READ ON

11 Facts About the Battle of Yorktown

In order to safely move his troops south to Virginia, General Washington distracted the British by building bread ovens in New Jersey.... READ ON

15 Facts About Blackbeard

The pirate struck fear into the hearts of New World seamen—and these days, he's unquestionably the most famous pirate of all time.... READ ON

The Other Gettysburg Address You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The greatest speech in American history had a tough act to follow.... READ ON

10 Timeless Facts About The Land Before Time

Five years before 'Jurassic Park' roared into theaters, a gentler, more meditative dinosaur film endeared itself to audiences of all ages.... READ ON

5 Odd Suggestions About How To Fight the Dust Bowl 

It was a disaster of mankind’s own making—and as it raged on, people piped up with some wild ideas about how to put an end to it.... READ ON

13 Facts About Nurse Sharks

They're called the couch potatoes of the shark world.... READ ON

12 Surprising Facts About Bela Lugosi

Eighty-five years after he first donned a vampire’s cape, Lugosi's take on Count Dracula is still widely hailed as the definitive portrayal of this legendary fiend. But who was the man behind the monster?... READ ON

11 Famous People Who Once Had Paper Routes

October 13 is International Newspaper Carrier Day.... READ ON

11 Inspiring Facts About Eleanor Roosevelt

4. On her wedding day, then-President Teddy Roosevelt walked her down the aisle.... READ ON

10 Electrifying Facts About Michael Faraday

This world-changing genius was born into poverty on September 22, 1791.... READ ON

10 Things You Might Not Know About the Battle of New Orleans

Here's everything you need to know about the last major engagement in the War of 1812.... READ ON

15 Facts About Talk Like A Pirate Day

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! Let’s hoist the Jolly Roger, break out the rum, and look back at the holiday’s timber-shivering history.... READ ON

11 Facts About the Sand Tiger Shark

If you’ve ever been to a major aquarium, there’s a good chance you've been face to fin with one.... READ ON

11 Historical Figures Who Were Really Bad At Spelling

Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.... READ ON

10 Things You Might Not Know About The Battle Of The Bulge

A reporter coined the name.... READ ON

10 Fascinating Facts About Davy Crockett

The "King of the Wild Frontier" claimed to have killed 105 bears in one year. (He also put a lot of effort into maintaining his wild image.)... READ ON

15 Facts About The Megalodon Shark

It's probably the biggest fish of all time—and this summer, it's taking on Jason Statham.... READ ON

11 Facts About Robin Hood: Men In Tights

Mel Brooks's charming spoof, which premiered 25 years ago, extolled the virtues of form-fitting legwear.... READ ON

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