Mental Floss

SCHOOL

Illustrations from 1997’s ‘Get Fit! ... How To Get in Shape To Meet the President’s Challenge and Earn the Presidential Fitness Award’

Almost as soon as it was introduced—and for generations after—the Presidential Fitness Test was absolutely traumatizing to students who had to endure it. Here’s how the program started—and ended.

Vince Guerrieri






Library binding is the best way to keep books in circulation.

A very, very specific set of standards can keep books from falling apart. But it's usually too expensive for consumers.

Jake Rossen






They make school days more exciting, that's for sure.

They often arrive at work unsure exactly who and what they’ll be teaching—but they have some tricks up their sleeves to get up to speed quickly.

Suzanne Raga


Treat a teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week.

National Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 kicks off on Monday, May 8—and here are 20 of the best teacher gifts that could be perfect for the educator in your life.

Rebecca OConnell, Smart Shopping Team


Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, and Stacey Dash in 'Clueless' (1995).

Whether you loved high school or hated it, filmmakers seem determined to give you as many opportunities as possible to relive it.

April Snellings


Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson have been friends and colleagues since college.

Plenty of college students fret about their roommates, but be careful—that person on the lower bunk may someday win the Super Bowl.

Jason Plautz