Jason Serafino

Joined: Jun 29, 2016

Jay Serafino is the former special projects editor for Mental Floss. He is an indoor enthusiast, who has written extensively on movies, television, comic books, and history. He also might be the only person in New Jersey with tattoos of Teddy Roosevelt and the Green Lantern on the same arm.

Did William Henry Harrison Really Die of Pneumonia?

The One Where Jennifer Aniston’s “Rachel” Haircut on ‘Friends’ Became a Phenomenon

12 Historical Conspiracy Theories

Deck the halls—whenever you feel like it.

Yes, You Can Put Your Christmas Decorations Up Now—and Should, According to Psychologists

Why does Friday the 13th inspire such superstition?

13 Fascinating Facts About Friday the 13th

Cut through the half-truths and urban legends to find out more about Friday the 13th, the unluckiest day on the calendar.

Food is a big part of many Fourth of July celebrations.

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July

One Founding Father thought we were celebrating on the wrong day, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from pulling out all the stops on July 4.

It’s rare for a baby to be born on a plane.

What Is the Citizenship of a Baby Born on an International Flight?

When a baby is born on an international flight, where the plane is registered and the airspace it’s in can determine the child’s citizenship.

What Do the Different Uniform Colors Mean on ‘Star Trek’?

The different colored uniforms aboard the ‘Enterprise’ are about more than just looks.

15 Old Things In Your House That Are Worth a Fortune

You might want to check your basement, attic, and spare change drawer for some of these gems that are worth a fortune.

From left: Bessie Coleman, Shirley Chisholm, Dr. Lonnie Johnson.

25 Unheralded Black American Pioneers and Trailblazers You Should Know

You may not have heard of these groundbreaking Black innovators and creators in fields from science to comics.

15 Facts About 'Where's Waldo?'

Spotting the elusive Waldo is an exercise in patience and frustration, even for the most eagle-eyed fans.

Before reaching for the tweezers, try these less painful methods for removing a splinter.

6 Simple and Painless Ways to Remove a Splinter

From baking soda to plain water, these old-timey remedies will get that splinter out fast.

How ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Went From Box Office Dud to Accidental Christmas Tradition

‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ Frank Capra’s Christmas classic, was destined to be forgotten ... until a clerical error turned it into a holiday tradition.

Seven years of bad luck would seem like a walk in the park to these people.

10 of the Unluckiest People in History

Grab your lucky rabbit’s foot and read up on the tales of some of the unluckiest people in history, from the man whose backyard became a battlefield (twice!) to an absurdly accident-prone instrument inventor and beyond.

Author Jesmyn Ward's 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' won the National Book Award in 2017.

14 National Book Award Winners You Should Read

The National Book Award in Fiction has recognized the best the world of literature has to offer—and we've rounded up some standouts.

Sci-fi lovers will get a kick out of these fun gifts.

15 Great Gifts for the Sci-Fi Fanatic in Your Life

From groundbreaking movies to landmark novels, these are the best gifts for sci-fi fans in your life.