Page 59 - The 'X' Zone Book of Triviology

o Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, inspired measures to curb the use of DDT. o The Wright brothers were practically inseparable and neither ever married. o Charles Lindbergh won a Pulitzer for The Spirit of St. Louis, his autobiography. o Nineteen years elapsed between the first and second woman in space - both were Russian. o The last astronaut to walk on the moon was Eugene Cernan in 1972. o The only English king to die on the battlefield was Richard III at Bosworth Field. o Sunglasses became popular in the 1920s; movie stars wore them to minimize bright camera lights. o Chuck Berry’s biggest hit was “My Ding-a-Ling.” o Don McLean’s “American Pie” was written in remembrance of Buddy Holly’s plane crash. o There are few photos of Crazy Horse because he did not permit his picture to be taken. o Custer was court-martialed for an unauthorized leave he took to visit his wife. o Only Baseball Hall of Fame member in three countries: Martin Dihigo. o Presidents George and George W. are distant relatives of the late Princess Diana. o Butch Cassidy, a Mormon, said he never killed anyone during any of his bank holdups. o Butch Cassidy got his nickname because he worked as a butcher. o Michelangelo spent four years painting the Sistine Chapel. o Beethoven was 5’2”. o Eskimos have over 100 words for ice. o In 1936, a cabin on the Hindenburg airship cost $750 for a trans-Atlantic flight. o Only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still exists - the Sphinx. o Moose are very near sighted. o Every year, Mexico City sinks about 10 inches. o Sperm whales can hold their breath for over an hour. o All continents have deserts - except for Europe. o In Helsinki, Finland, police rarely give parking tickets - they deflate tires. o 91% of Americans surveyed have bought their pets holiday gifts. o Mr. Green Jeans’s nickname in real life was “Lumpy.” o Six out of seven geologists are men. o The song sung most often in America is “Happy Birthday to You.” o Average number of earthquakes in the world every year: 50,000. o Queen bees don’t use their stingers - except to kill other queen bees. o More men than women get disappointed at class reunions. o President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested during his term of office for speeding on his horse. o Americans eat about 5 tons of aspirins a day. o The pastry Americans call a “Danish” is called “Vienna Bread” in Denmark. o Pastrami is salted smoked beef, seasoned with peppercorns. o A teaspoon holds 120 drops of water. o Over 200 different languages are spoken in the African country of Zaire. o Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Thomas Edison never graduated from high school. o Michelangelo’s father didn’t want him to become an artist. th o Sherry Lansing became the first woman president of a studio, 20 Century Fox, in 1980. o On his first night hosting the Tonight Show, Johnny Carson was introduced by Groucho Marx. o Groucho Marx’s trademark moustache was often painted on. o Madame Curie was the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. o Mao’s body is preserved in Tiananmen Square.