Why the Internet’s Biggest Conspiracy Theories Don’t Make Mathematical Sense

If NASA really faked the moon landing in 1969, about 411,000 people would have worked together to keep that information from the public, and the whole thing would have been exposed about four years later, according to an Oxford researcher who has … Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Ham the Chimp Becomes First Hominid Launched into Outer Space (1961)

Ham was chosen from 40 chimpanzee flight candidates at New Mexico’s Holloman Air Force Base to be the first hominid launched into outer space. He was named after an acronym for the lab that prepared him for his historic mission—the Holloman Aerospace Medical Center—and was trained to do simple tasks. In 1961, he was launched into space in a Project Mercury capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean a short time later. What became of Ham after his space flight? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Franz Schubert (1797)

One of the most gifted musicians of the 19th century, Schubert was an Austrian composer who wrote his first of nine symphonies in 1813 at the age of 16. He wrote more than 600 songs, many to the lyrics of German poets, and also composed music for the stage, overtures, choral music, masses, and piano music. He died at 31, having produced more masterpieces by that age than almost any other composer in history. Schubert was buried beside what other famous composer? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

“Wrong Way” Corrigan

In 1938, American aviator Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan made his infamous, unauthorized transatlantic flight from New York to Ireland. He claimed that during a planned flight to California, heavy cloud cover and low light conditions obscured landmarks and led him to misread his compass. In the years leading up to Corrigan’s “navigational error,” he had applied several times for permission to make the transoceanic trip, but was always rejected. What punishment did he receive for his actions? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Peace of Münster Signed Between the United Netherlands and Spain (1648)

In 1581, several years after the seven northern Netherlands provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland, and Groningen formed the Union of Utrecht, they declared independence from Spain. Decades of conflict followed. When the Peace of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years’ War was reached in 1648, it included the Peace of Münster, a treaty between Spain and the United Netherlands that ended the Dutch Revolt. Where can an original copy of the Peace of Münster be found? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Abdullah’s Birthday in Jordan

Since 1999, the year Adbullah II bin al-Hussein succeeded his father, King Hussein, as national monarch, Jordan has celebrated the king’s birthday. It is typical on this date for the Royal Hashemite Court of Jordan to publish various well-wishes that arrive from international dignitaries. Before 2007, the country also observed the day as an official national holiday by closing all its banks and stores. However, that year, King Abdullah announced that in order to help “boost productivity and dedication,” banks and businesses would remain open on his birthday. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Vanessa Redgrave (1937)

Redgrave is a British actress noted for her versatility and elegant presence. The daughter of actor Michael Redgrave, she made her London stage debut in 1958 and won praise as Rosalind in As You Like It. She went on to become a powerful film actress, earning critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Blow-Up and Julia, for which she won an Oscar. She has also earned Emmy, Tony, Cannes, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards but declined what honor in 1999? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Alfred Blalock

While doing research into the nature of hemorrhagic shock, Blalock found that surgical shock results primarily from blood loss. His recommendation that blood plasma and whole blood products be administered to those suffering from shock saved many lives during WWII. His later work on “blue baby syndrome,” formally known as Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), led to the development of the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a pioneering procedure in the field of pediatric cardiology. What makes TOF patients “blue”? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary