# Mental Floss > Founded in a Duke University dorm room in 2001, Mental Floss exists to answer life’s big questions, uncover fascinating facts, and surface stories so compelling that readers can’t help but share them. We empower the curious by making knowledge feel surprising and delightful. Mental Floss has won four Webby Awards (including a People’s Choice Webby in 2020), been nominated for an ASME award, and published 15 books, five board games, and a fact-of-the-day calendar. We reach millions of users per month across our site, social media accounts, and popular YouTube channel. ## About - [About Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/about-us): About Mental Floss and our mission - [Contact Us](https://www.mentalfloss.com/contact-us): Contact Mental Floss ## Content Sections - [Amazing Facts](https://www.mentalfloss.com/amazingfactgenerator): Fascinating facts about the world - [Big Questions](https://www.mentalfloss.com/section/big-questions): Answers to life's big questions - [Entertainment](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment): Entertainment trivia and features - [Geography](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography): Geography and travel features - [History](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history): Historical facts and stories - [Holidays](https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays): Holiday history and traditions - [Language](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language): Words, slang, and language facts - [Quizzes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes): Trivia quizzes and brain teasers ## Latest Articles [Can You Answer These Basic U.S. Trivia Questions This Fourth of July?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/random-facts/answer-basic-u-s-trivia-questions-fourth-of-july): From American history and geography to patriotic symbols and famous landmarks, see how many of these classic U.S. trivia questions you can answer correctly. [Why Calvin Coolidge Was Called "Silent Cal"—and How He Earned the Nickname](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/presidents/why-calvin-coolidge-called-silent-cal-how-earned-nickname): "I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm." [7 Common Misconceptions About the Fourth of July](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/fourth-of-july-misconceptions): From secret messages to the Liberty Bell, some of what you might believe about July 4, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence may be entirely incorrect. [5 of the Best Hot Dog Spots in America, According to Guy Fieri](https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/restaurants/best-hot-dog-spots-guy-fieri): Planning an Independence Day cookout? We’ve rounded up five legendary, Fieri-vetted hot dog spots across the U.S. that deserve a spot on your road trip bucket list. [The Guns N’ Roses Hit That Was Written in Just 5 Minutes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/guns-n-roses-hit-written-less-than-5-minutes): The mega-hit "Sweet Child O' Mine" was essentially the product of Slash "messing around." [Why Is the U.S. Flag Red, White, and Blue?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/why-us-flag-red-white-blue): The American flag has always been red, white, and blue—but those colors have a deeper history that dates back to the nation's colonial past. [Humphrey Bogart’s Emotional Last Words to Lauren Bacall](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/humphrey-bogart-last-words): Humphrey Bogart married Lauren Bacall when he was 44 and she was 19. The pair were together until Bogart's death, and on his deathbed, he had one final thing to say to her. [Quiz: Can You Name the Patriotic Song From One Lyric in Time for July Fourth? ](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/music/name-patriotic-song-one-lyric): Happy July 4! Just how well do you remember patriotic songs? We've got a quiz for that! [Quiz: Only True Rock Fans Can Name the Bruce Springsteen Song From One Lyric](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/music/name-bruce-springsteen-song-one-lyric): There's going to be one particular Bruce Springsteen song on your mind right now, but how well do you know the rest of his tracks? Can you name them with just one lyric? [13 of the Most Unusual Fourth of July Traditions in U.S. History](https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/july-4th/most-unusual-fourth-of-july-traditions-u-s-history): Americans have come up with a variety of interesting and unexpected ways to celebrate the Fourth of July over the last 250 years! [10 Best Places in the U.S. to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks, Ranked](https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/july-4th/10-best-places-u-s-watch-fourth-of-july-fireworks-ranked): The pyrotechnicians are going above and beyond this year for a fireworks show (potentially) near you! [5 Misconceptions About the Founding Fathers](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/misconceptions-about-founding-fathers): Some of the Founding Fathers spread misinformation and owned slaves. Here are five false beliefs you might have about the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. [7 Royal Deaths That Could Have Been a 'Game of Thrones' Episode](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones/royal-deaths-game-of-thrones-episode): These historical deaths would fit right in among the events of 'Game of Thrones.' [See the States Where Americans Make the Most Per Hour, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/states-americans-make-most-per-hour): See which states pay workers the most per hour, from Washington to Mississippi, and learn why wages vary so widely across the U.S. [The 10 Weirdest Objects People Mistook for UFOs](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/weird/weirdest-objects-people-mistook-for-ufos): From insects to the moon, people have mistaken very Earthly phenomena for UFOs many times. [Quiz: Can You Name the Song From Its Opening Lyrics? (2000s Edition)](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/music/name-song-opening-lyrics-2000s-edition): The 2000s had some of the best tracks, whether you are a fan of rap, rock, or pop. Just how well do you remember the songs based on one lyric? [Why Do We Call It a Honeymoon?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/misconceptions/why-we-call-it-honeymoon): The word 'honeymoon' has been around for centuries, and there are several theories about its history. [The 5 Types of Aliens People Most Frequently Say They See](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/weird/major-types-of-aliens): From the Greys to the Nordics, these aliens appear frequently across abduction stories and science fiction tales. [7 Best U.S. Waterparks to Visit in 2026, Ranked](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/best-u-s-waterparks-visit-2026-ranked): Beat the heat this summer by entering the ultimate American splash zones! [7 U.S. Towns With Patriotic Names](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/us-towns-patriotic-names): Ever wondered why so many U.S. towns sound like a Fourth of July parade? We’re taking a deep dive into the history behind seven of America’s most patriotic town names. [The Most Popular Grilled Foods By State, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/most-popular-grilled-foods-by-state-map): From carne asada in the West to chicken wings in the South, see which food items reign supreme on the grill in every U.S. state according to new data. [Inside Swedish Death Cleaning, the Surprisingly Compassionate Decluttering Trend](https://www.mentalfloss.com/live-smarter/swedish-death-cleaning-explained): What happens to your stuff after you die? Swedish death cleaning doesn't shy away from this question. [7 Famous People You Didn’t Know Princess Diana Was Related To](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/royalty/famous-people-didnt-know-princess-diana-related): July 1 marks the late royal’s date of birth. Take a look at seven famous people Princess Diana was related to. [U.S. Cities With the Best Housing Markets for College Grads in 2026, Ranked](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/best-housing-markets-college-grads-ranked): Certain cities have better circumstances for recent graduates looking for a place to live. [Quiz: We Bet You Can’t Name These 1970s Sitcoms By the Side Character](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-1970s-sitcom-side-character): You know the shows based on main characters, but what about a side character only? How well can you name the sitcoms from the 1970s? [13 Iconic Princess Diana Photos for What Would've Been Her 65th Birthday](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/royalty/princess-diana-iconic-photos): She redefined what it meant to be a royal in the modern age. On what would have been her 65th birthday, we count down 13 powerful photos that illustrate Princess Diana’s evolution, her humanitarian reach, and the style choices that made her a global icon. [5 Common Misconceptions About Princess Diana](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/misconceptions/common-misconceptions-princess-diana): The image of Princess Diana that most people have is not entirely accurate. Here are some myths parading as facts about the former Princess of Wales. [5 Things Princess Diana Loved That Might Surprise You](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/royalty/surprising-things-princess-diana-loved): From one specific cocktail to astrology, here are five things you might not know Princess Diana was fond of. [Why Do We Say "Straight From the Horse's Mouth"?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/straight-from-horses-mouth-origins): The origins of the phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" are debated, but might have something to do with betting on horse races. [The Best and Worst Places in the U.S. For July 4 Celebrations, Ranked](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/best-and-worst-places-july-4-celebrations): Factors like safety, affordability, and entertainment and recreation offerings went into this ranking of the best and worst places in the U.S. to celebrate the Fourth of July. [What Does “86” Mean? The Common Restaurant Term Explained](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/what-does-86-mean): You may have heard it on ‘The Bear’ or another food service show. Here’s what “86” means and why restaurants use the term. [Inside the First Major UFO Sighting in American History](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/weird/kenneth-arnold-ufo-sighting): In June 1947, Kenneth Arnold saw something strange in the sky. What he saw sparked a national UFO craze—but it was far from the first time people have reported seeing inexplicable lights in the sky. [7 Sounds Every ’80s Kid Instantly Recognizes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/nostalgia/80s/sounds-every-80s-kid-instantly-recognizes): Which one of these sounds takes you back to your wood-paneled living room in the '80s? [Quiz: Can You Name All 8 States That Border the Great Lakes? Most People Forget One](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/geography/name-all-8-states-border-great-lakes): It's harder than you think! [Why the Longest Match in Wimbledon History Lasted Three Days](https://www.mentalfloss.com/sports/why-longest-match-wimbledon-history-lasted-three-days): The record will likely never be broken again. [6 Real-Life 'House of the Dragon' Filming Locations](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/wanderlust/house-of-the-dragon-filming-locations): From Cornwall to Cáceres, explore six real-life filming locations used in "House of the Dragon," including castles, coastlines, and medieval towns across Europe. [The Story Behind Princess Diana's Revenge Dress](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/royalty/story-behind-princess-diana-revenge-dress): On the night Diana's husband's infidelity was to be revealed to the world, she chose to wear a very specific black dress. For many people, it represented Diana's decision to reclaim her narrative and life. ## Sitemaps & Feeds - [Articles Sitemap](https://www.mentalfloss.com/articles-sitemap.xml): XML sitemap of all articles - [News Sitemap](https://www.mentalfloss.com/news-sitemap.xml): XML news sitemap for Google News - [RSS Feed](https://www.mentalfloss.com/feed): RSS feed of latest articles ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://www.minutemedia.com/policies/privacy-policy): Mental Floss privacy policy - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.minutemedia.com/policies/terms-and-conditions): Mental Floss terms and conditions