Archives for May 2025

“Have YOU heard that a NASA spacecraft once had to be rescued because astronauts accidentally programmed it with a map of Australia… upside down? STAY TUNED!”

On May 29, 1999, NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter disintegrated in the Martian atmosphere due to what might be the most expensive unit conversion error in history! Engineers at Lockheed Martin provided thrust measurements in pound-force, but NASA’s team assumed they were in newtons, causing the spacecraft to orbit 100 kilometers closer to Mars than planned. The $125 million spacecraft was lost forever! Even more embarrassing, a review found the problem would have been caught if anyone had noticed that the spacecraft’s projected path showed Australia UPSIDE DOWN on their navigation displays. That’s one expensive geography lesson!
*[Source: NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter Mishap Investigation Board report, 1999]*

May 28th is National Hamburger Day! While we all love a good burger, did you know the hamburger’s origin story is more controversial than a celebrity scandal? The town of Seymour, Wisconsin claims 15-year-old Charlie Nagreen invented it in 1885 when he squashed a meatball between bread slices to make it portable. BUT! The Library of Congress officially recognizes Louis Lassen of New Haven, Connecticut as the inventor in 1900. Meanwhile, Athens, Texas, and Hamburg, New York also claim burger bragging rights! It’s the only food with more origin stories than Batman – and definitely tastier!
*[Source: NationalDayCalendar.com]*

On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy, but here’s something they don’t teach you in history class: her heart wouldn’t burn! After her execution, the English were so determined to prevent anyone from collecting relics that they burned her body THREE times, then scattered her ashes in the Seine River. However, witnesses reported that despite repeated burning, her heart remained intact. This led to rumors she was either protected by divine intervention or, as local superstition held, proof she was innocent of witchcraft (as a witch’s heart was believed to be immune to fire). Talk about a fiery legacy!
*[Source: OnThisDay.com]*

On May 31, 1975, the European Space Agency was officially established. But here’s a space oddity you probably didn’t know: the ESA has an official “space graveyard” in the Pacific Ocean! Known as Point Nemo, it’s the most remote spot on Earth – the farthest point from any land. Over 300 spacecraft, including Russia’s Mir space station, have been deliberately crashed there since 1971. Point Nemo is so isolated that the closest humans are often astronauts on the International Space Station passing 258 miles overhead! Next time someone asks where old satellites go to die, you’ll have the answer!
*[Source: TodayIFoundOut.com]*

May 26th marks the birthday of Dracula! No, not the vampire – the novel! On this day in 1897, Bram Stoker’s gothic masterpiece was first published, but the book almost never saw the light of day (vampire pun intended). Stoker spent SEVEN YEARS researching European folklore and vampire myths before writing it. The character’s name wasn’t even his original idea – Stoker had initially named his vampire “Count Wampyr” before discovering “Dracula” in a book about Romanian history. The name means “son of the dragon” and belonged to a real-life 15th-century ruler nicknamed “Vlad the Impaler.” Even more surprising, Stoker never visited Eastern Europe – his vivid descriptions of Transylvania came entirely from library research! And despite defining vampire fiction for generations, the book was only a modest success during Stoker’s lifetime. He died nearly broke, never knowing his creation would become one of literature’s most enduring monsters!
*[Source: British Library archives, Literary History records]*

On May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrians, with over 200,000 people crossing on the first day. But here’s the bizarre part – the bridge’s distinctive “International Orange” color was never actually supposed to be permanent! It was just the primer coat, applied to protect the steel during shipping. Consulting architect Irving Morrow happened to see the primer and loved how it complemented the natural surroundings and enhanced the bridge’s visibility in fog. The Navy had originally wanted it painted in black and yellow stripes for visibility! Sometimes the most iconic decisions happen completely by accident!
*[Source: Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District archives]*

June 1st is National Heimlich Maneuver Day! I was planning to attend a special demonstration at the local community center, but it was CHOKED with people! The instructor tried to start with a joke, but it got STUCK in his throat. His assistant had to STEP IN to help, but she couldn’t get him to COUGH it up! They finally brought out a training dummy, but someone in the front row thought it was choking for real and yelled, “Is there a doctor in the house?” Three doctors stood up simultaneously and bumped heads trying to get to the dummy! The whole event was a real BREATH-taker! Remember folks, this lifesaving technique is nothing to GAG at – it’s already saved over 100,000 lives since Dr. Heimlich introduced it in 1974!
*[Source: Heimlich Heroes organization, National Day Calendar]*

Watch, Learn and Enjoy!

Troy W. Hudson

💚🎤 #haveyouheard

“Have YOU heard that the world’s most deadly garden is in England and contains over 100 poisonous plants that could kill you with just a taste or touch? STAY TUNED!”

On May 19, 2005, the Duchess of Northumberland officially opened the Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle in England. This menacing garden contains over 100 toxic, intoxicating, and narcotic plants – so dangerous that visitors can only enter with a guide! Plants like deadly nightshade can kill you with just a few berries, while brushing against the innocent-looking Gympie-Gympie plant causes pain so severe that soldiers have reportedly shot themselves after touching it! The Duchess’s inspiration? Children were more interested in the dangerous plants than the pretty ones during garden tours. Talk about an educational death trap! [Source: Official Alnwick Garden website, 2023]

May 20th is National Rescue Dog Day! Established in 2018, this day celebrates the countless abandoned and neglected dogs who get second chances through rescue organizations. But here’s something incredible – studies show that about 60% of shelter dogs are actually purebreds! And rescued pups often make the most loyal companions – just ask the 3.2 million American families who adopt rescue dogs annually. So whether you’re looking for a purebred poodle or a one-of-a-kind mutt, remember: adoption doesn’t just change their life – it changes yours too! [Source: NationalDayCalendar.com]

On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean! But here’s what most history books don’t tell you – during that groundbreaking 15-hour journey from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland, her plane’s exhaust manifold broke, causing flames to shoot out of the engine! If that wasn’t terrifying enough, her altimeter stopped working, she encountered thick fog, and her plane developed a fuel leak. Despite these near-catastrophic problems, Earhart landed in a farmer’s pasture, and when the bewildered farmer asked where she’d come from, she simply replied, “America.” Talk about the understatement of the century! [Source: OnThisDay.com]

On May 22, 1980, Pac-Man was first released in Japan, originally called “Puck-Man.” But did you know its creator, Toru Iwatani, designed the character while eating pizza? Looking at the pie with one slice missing, he saw the iconic shape we all know today! And that wasn’t his only food inspiration – the ghosts were based on Japanese candy called manju. Even more fascinating, the game was specifically designed to attract female players to arcades, which were dominated by space shooter games at the time. That’s right – the most successful arcade game ever was essentially created from a pizza dinner and a desire for gender equality! [Source: TodayIFoundOut.com]

May 23rd marks the birthday of Drew Carey, born in 1958, who went from Marine Corps Reserve to comedy superstardom! But here’s what most people don’t know – before becoming famous, Carey was so broke he sold his blood plasma for $40 to buy groceries! Even more shocking – in 1997, he set the Guinness World Record for fastest time to earn $45 million in television! But the quirkiest fact? Despite hosting “The Price is Right” where contestants guess prices all day, Carey once admitted he has absolutely no idea how much everyday items cost in real life! When shopping, he just grabs what he wants without looking at price tags. Talk about ironic job qualifications! His life motto remains: “I’m not doing it to be rich and famous – I did it so I could get girls.” At least he’s honest! [Source: People Magazine archives & Carey’s autobiography “Dirty Jokes and Beer: Stories of the Unrefined”]

May 24th is National Scavenger Hunt Day! But did you know the world’s longest-running treasure hunt has remained unsolved since 1979? That’s when publisher Byron Preiss buried 12 casques containing keys to claim valuable jewels in different cities across North America. He published cryptic poems and paintings as clues in his book “The Secret.” In over 40 years, only 3 of the 12 treasures have been found – in Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston. The remaining 9 casques worth thousands of dollars are still out there waiting! So next time you’re digging in a park, you might just get lucky! [Source: Mental Floss, “The Decades-Old Treasure Hunt That’s Cost Some Seekers Their Lives”]

May 25th is National Wine Day! I tried to celebrate last year by starting my own vineyard in my backyard. Let me tell you, it’s not going “grape”! My neighbors complained about my enthusiastic 5 AM grape-stomping sessions – apparently my singing “Don’t Stop Be-Grapein'” was disturbing their sleep! When I finally produced my first bottle, I proudly labeled it “Chateau Backyard, 2023: Notes of garden hose and questionable choices.” My wine tasting party was a disaster too – one friend said my wine had notes of “regret” with an “aftertaste of friendship reconsideration.” I asked if it paired well with anything, and he said “maybe a strong antacid!” So this National Wine Day, I’ll stick to store-bought bottles – because sometimes the best wine comes with a twist-off cap, not a twisted ankle from stomping grapes in your bathtub! [Source: National Day Calendar’s “National Wine Day” – May 25th]

Watch, Learn and Enjoy!

Troy W. Hudson

💚🎤 #haveyouheard

“Have YOU heard that in 1969, a Kentucky Derby-winning horse was stripped of his title after failing a drug test… because a baker put cough medicine in his birthday cake? STAY TUNED!”

On May 14, 1969, the Kentucky Derby winner Dancer’s Image became the only horse in Derby history to be disqualified after winning. Why? Traces of phenylbutazone(FEE-NUL-BYOOT-AH-ZONE), an anti-inflammatory drug, were found in his system. The strangest part? The most likely source wasn’t nefarious cheating – it was a birthday cake! A local baker who loved the horse had baked him a special cake containing cough medicine that contained the banned substance. Talk about a bitter taste of victory!

*[Source: Sports Illustrated archives, 1969]*

May 12th is National Limerick Day! This quirky celebration honors the birthday of Edward Lear, who popularized this five-line poetic form in his 1846 “Book of Nonsense.” Here’s a limerick about limericks:

*There once was a form with five lines,*

*Whose rhythm particularly shines,*

*With wit and with mirth,*

*It circled the Earth,*

*And thrives as new talent combines!*

Now that’s a day worth celebrating with some wordplay!

*[Source: NationalDayCalendar.com]*

On May 15, 1930, airline hostesses took to the skies for the very first time! Boeing Air Transport hired eight nurses as the world’s first flight attendants, with Ellen Church becoming the pioneer of this profession. But here’s the catch – these women had to be single, under 25 years old, weigh less than 115 pounds, and stand no taller than 5’4″! Their duties included not just serving food and reassuring nervous passengers, but also hauling luggage, fueling planes, and even helping pilots push planes into hangars! For their extraordinary multi-tasking skills, they earned a whopping $125 per month. Next time you request an extra pillow mid-flight, remember your flight attendant’s predecessors once had to help push the actual plane!

*[Source: OnThisDay.com]*

On May 16, 1960, physicist Theodore Maiman demonstrated the world’s first functioning laser at Hughes Research Laboratories. But did you know that when Maiman submitted his paper on this groundbreaking invention to the prestigious journal “Physical Review Letters,” they REJECTED it? They thought it wasn’t important enough! The paper was later published in Nature, and lasers now power everything from barcode scanners to eye surgery tools. Talk about missing the beam for the light!

*[Source: TodayIFoundOut.com]*

May 13th marks the birthday of Stevie Wonder, born in 1950. Despite being blind since shortly after birth, Wonder signed with Motown Records at just 11 years old! Here’s something most people don’t know – Stevie Wonder’s real name is Stevland Hardaway Judkins, and he was born six weeks premature, which contributed to his blindness. The oxygen-rich atmosphere in his incubator damaged his developing retinas – a condition now known as retinopathy of prematurity. Despite this challenge, he went on to win 25 Grammy Awards and revolutionize music!

*[Source: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame archives]*

May 17th is “World Baking Day” – but did you know that the world’s oldest bread was discovered in Jordan and dates back 14,400 years? That’s right – our ancestors were baking before we even invented agriculture! These ancient flatbreads were made from wild cereals that people gathered long before formal farming began. So next time you’re enjoying a slice of toast, remember you’re participating in one of humanity’s oldest traditions!

*[Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2018]*

And finally, May 18th is “Visit Your Relatives Day”! And here’s a story from a viewer that says their reunions are a little different than most – I wonder how many of you can relate to this: “Last year’s reunion was WILD – my uncle tried to show everyone how he could still do a cartwheel at age 72. Let’s just say the ambulance drivers are now considered extended family! My cousin brought her new robot vacuum to clean up after dinner, but Grandma kept putting her feet up every time it came near her, yelling “I’m not going anywhere yet, you electronic grim reaper!” And don’t get me started on the family photo – we tried using a drone for an aerial shot, but Aunt Mildred swatted it down with her purse screaming “THE ALIENS ARE HERE!” The photographer said he’d never seen a $1,200 drone taken out by a $12 handbag before! So remember folks, on Visit Your Relatives Day, nothing says “I love you” like showing up with a good excuse to leave early!

[Source: National Day Calendar’s “Visit Your Relatives Day” – May 18th]

Watch, Learn and Enjoy!

Troy W. Hudson

💚🎤 #haveyouheard

“Have YOU heard? NASA once spent millions developing a pen that could write in space while the Russians just used pencils! …STAY TUNED!”

Our feature story today tackles one of the most persistent myths about the space race. You’ve probably heard that NASA spent millions developing a fancy space pen while the practical Russians just used pencils. It’s a great story, but completely false!

The truth is both Americans and Soviets initially used pencils in space, but they were actually dangerous! Broken pencil tips could float around, causing damage to equipment or even be inhaled by astronauts. Plus, the wood and graphite were flammable in the oxygen-rich environment of early spacecraft.

The Fisher Space Pen was privately developed by Paul Fisher of the Fisher Pen Company without NASA funding. He invested around $1 million of his own money before NASA purchased the pens at $2.95 each in 1967. The Soviets liked the pens so much, they started buying them too!

So next time someone tells you this “wasteful spending” story, you can set the record straight faster than a rocket to the moon!

[SOURCE: NASA History Office, “Common Space Myths Debunked”]

May 5th marks Cinco de Mayo, but did you know it’s NOT Mexican Independence Day? It actually commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862!

While it’s a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, it’s become a major celebration of Mexican culture in the United States. The first American Cinco de Mayo celebrations began in California in the 1860s as a show of solidarity with Mexico against French occupation.

The holiday gained widespread popularity in the U.S. during the 1980s when beer companies began promoting it as a marketing opportunity. Now you know the real story behind your tacos and margaritas!

[SOURCE: National Day Calendar, “Cinco de Mayo History and Celebrations”]

May 9th marks the birthday of the rubber duck! On this day in 1949, sculptor Peter Ganine patented the design for the now-iconic bathtub toy.

Originally intended as a floating art piece, Ganine’s creation became wildly popular, with over 50 million sold. The rubber duck gained international fame when it appeared on Sesame Street in 1970, with Ernie singing “Rubber Duckie, you’re the one” while taking a bath.

In 2013, the rubber duck was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame, cementing its place in bathroom history. That’s something to quack about!

[SOURCE: OnThisDay.com, “Innovation and Invention History”]

May 11th is Mother’s Day this year, but did you know this holiday has a somewhat controversial origin? Anna Jarvis founded Mother’s Day in 1908 to honor her own mother, but later spent years fighting against its commercialization!

When Jarvis saw how florists, card companies, and confectioners were profiting from the holiday, she actually filed lawsuits to stop them and was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother’s Day event. She ultimately depleted her personal fortune fighting against the very holiday she created!

Today, Mother’s Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the United States and one of the biggest days for restaurant sales. Sorry, Anna!

[SOURCE: TodayIFoundOut.com, “The Founder of Mother’s Day Later Fought to Have It Abolished”]

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes, breaking what many considered an impossible human barrier!

The British medical student completed the mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford. Doctors had previously claimed that the human body was physically incapable of achieving this feat – some even warned that the heart would explode from the effort!

Within just 46 days, Australian John Landy broke Bannister’s record. Today, the world record stands at 3:43.13, set by a Moroccan runner 1999. Talk about raising the bar!

[SOURCE: OnThisDay.com, “Sports History Milestones”]

May 5th is National Hoagie Day! This beloved sandwich, also known as a sub, hero, or grinder depending on where you live, has been filling American bellies since the early 20th century.

The name “hoagie” originated in Philadelphia, where Italian immigrants working at the Hog Island shipyard during World War I would bring massive sandwiches stuffed with meats, cheeses, and vegetables. These became known as “Hog Island sandwiches,” later shortened to “hoggies” and eventually “hoagies.”

In 1992, the hoagie was declared the official sandwich of Philadelphia. Now that’s a designation you can really sink your teeth into!

[SOURCE: National Day Calendar, “National Hoagie Day – May 5”]

Look up at the night sky on May 10th for the spectacular “Flower Moon”! Native American tribes named the May full moon after the abundant flowers that bloom this time of year.

This year’s Flower Moon coincides with a celestial event known as “lunar perigee” – when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit – making it appear slightly larger than usual. Astronomers call this a “supermoon,” though they often roll their eyes at the term.

Last year’s Flower Moon viewing party in Central Park had an unexpected visitor when a local florist showed up with 500 daisies, saying he “thought it was some kind of flower competition.” When told it was actually about the moon, he replied, “Well, that explains why no one brought vases!” Talk about a blooming misunderstanding!

[SOURCE: Upcoming Astronomy Events Calendar, May 2025]

Watch, Learn and Enjoy!

Troy W. Hudson

💚🎤 #haveyouheard