Facts & History

  Many Wonder Friends know about the Tasmanian devil. But there are many other interesting animals in Tasmania. The island is also home to wombats and emus. And today’s Wonder of the Day may still live there, too. That’s right! Today, we’re talking about thylacines! Thylacines are also known as Tasmanian tigers or Tasmanian wolves. They were…

  If you’ve been WONDERing with us for a while, you might be pretty good at reading secret messages. But even the most experienced decoders are stumped by the topic of today’s Wonder of the Day. What are we talking about? The Voynich Manuscript! Experts think the Voynich Manuscript was written in the 15th Century. Who wrote it?…

    Do you like rainy days? They’re great for staying in with a board game or a good book. For many, the best part of a rainstorm is what sometimes comes after. Have you ever looked up to the sky after heavy rain and seen a bright, colorful rainbow? If you’ve been WONDERing with us…

  Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was born in Northern France on August 1, 1744. He was the youngest of eleven children born to Philippe Jacques de Monet de La Marck and Marie-Françoise de Fontaines de Chuignolles, a noble but not rich family. Most men in Lamarck’s family went into the military, including his father and older brothers.…

  Do you ever daydream about the future? What might the world be like in a few decades? Could there be cars without drivers? Trucks that fly? Boats driving on land and water? You may already know about self-driving cars and hovercrafts. But what about hoverboards? Picture it: You’re flying down the sidewalk on an object that looks like…

  Procedural law and substantive law are the two primary categories of law in the dual U.S. court system. When it comes to criminal justice, these two types of law play different but essential roles in protecting the rights of individuals in the United States. Terms Procedural law is the set of rules by which courts in…

  The hardest thing about advocating reform of racial profiling practices, at a policy level, is convincing political leaders that it isn’t just a “politically incorrect” or “racially insensitive” practice, but rather a destructive, ill-conceived, and ultimately ineffective law enforcement technique. This means looking hard at what racial profiling does, what it doesn’t do, and what…

  Can Police Officers Use GPS to Track a Vehicle? In United States v. Jones (2012) the U.S. Supreme Court found that attaching a GPS tracker to a private vehicle constituted an illegal search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Fast Facts: United States v. Jones Case Argued: November 8, 2011 Decision Issued: January 23, 2012 Petitioner: Michael…

  One of the oddest monuments in America is the Boot Monument in Saratoga National Park in New York, which commemorates a “most brilliant soldier” on the American side in the revoution, who was wounded and nearly lost his leg as he led troops in the defeat of the British in the Battle of Saratoga in…

  INTERESTING FACTS Capital: Denver Population: 5,355,866 Demonym: Coloradoan/Coloradan Highest Point: Mount Elbert (14,400 ft) Lowest Point: Arikaree River (3,717 ft) State Bird: Lark Bunting Climate: Complex – mountain climate with extremes of temperature in mountainous regions Lakes: Over 2,000 natural lakes, reservoirs and rivers Mountains: 55 summits that are over 1,640 ft above sea level Motto: Nil Sine Numine (Nothing without providence) There…

  Billionaire business owner Mark Cuban is on a mission to “disrupt” the pharmaceutical industry and sell low-cost prescription drugs directly to Americans. His startup venture, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, is offering steeply discounted prices on hundreds of generic prescription drugs. Some of the potential savings are staggering. A generic leukemia drug called Imatinib currently retails…

  The irresistible combination of a thick hunk of battered cod resting atop a mound of steaming hot chips (known as french fries in America) is the quintessential British comfort food. Whether eaten on a plastic lap tray in front of the “telly,” or gobbled down from a makeshift paper cone on the way home from the…

  Fact or fiction – does running increase testosterone? We speak to the experts to find out. Its physical and mental health benefits are well documented, but does running increase testosterone levels? Higher testosterone levels are associated with a plethora of health benefits including boosted bone density, increased muscle growth and improved mood, so it’s…

  White is normally associated with purity. This is why we see brides wearing white gowns because it conveys the sanctity of marriage. White also has positive meanings including cleanliness and safety. This is why hospitals, kitchens, and other rooms in your house you want cozy are painted white. Painters are usually seen sporting a…

The answer may surprise you. When we were younger, we blindly accepted the lesson that you should never shower during a thunderstorm. Our rationale was simple: storms and lightning are dangerous, and so we should abide by all safety precautions to escape potential electrocution. Looking back, it may seem silly that we were ever so scared…

  These five prebiotic foods can be found in most kitchens and will help your gut bacteria to thrive A balanced diet is essential for good health, so prebiotic foods are important. What we eat not only has a direct impact on our body, it also makes a big difference to the countless microbes that reside in…

  Find out how Earth formed, what it’s made of and more. Earth is our home planet, the only place in the universe where we know for certain that life exists. Earth formed over 4.6 billion years ago from a swirling cloud of gas and dust that gave rise to our entire solar system, including our…

  Spruce up your garden with these bright flowers. Sunflowers are easy and fun flowers to plant, and they’ll bring bees and songbirds to your garden. Plus, you can later harvest and roast the seeds from the heads, or cut the flowers to create beautiful bouquets for your home. Sunflowers thrive best during long, hot…

  What would the end of Roe v. Wade mean for women’s health, civil rights, and American politics? The Reader’s Digest Version:  A leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court revealed that it may overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion decisions to individual states. Roe v. Wade gave women the constitutional right to abortion based on the concept…

  We all know that protein can help to support an active lifestyle, but how does protein give you energy? How does protein give you energy? If you’ve ever finished a tough workout and felt completely drained, like your muscles have turned to jelly and the steps leading to your front door look like Mount…

  INTERESTING FACTS Population: 742,452,000 Area: 3,930,000 square miles Largest Country: Russia Smallest Country: Vatican City rgest City: Istanbul Highest Point: Mount Elbrus, 18,510 feet above sea level Lowest Point: Caspian Sea, 92 feet below sea level Popular Countries: France, Spain, Italy, UK, Germany Popular Cities: Paris, Barcelona, Rome, London, Berlin Religions: Christianity, Islam Europe…

  INTERESTING FACTS Capital: Dover Largest City: Wilmington Area: 1,982 square miles Highest Point: Ebright, Azimuth (447 feet) Lowest Point: At the Atlantic Ocean (sea level) Abbreviation: DE or Del State Bird: Delaware Blue Hen Population: 935,614 Demonym: Delawarean Motto: “Liberty and Independence” Delaware Is One of the Narrowest States in the USA Delaware Map The first of our interesting Delaware facts centres on its…

  Not everybody agrees on what constitutes a weed, but it’s generally agreed to be a plant that people don’t want around. Some people love thistles and dandelions, while others can’t abide them in their yards. Sandspurs, though, are pretty universally reviled — nobody likes a grass that bites. Grown men and children alike have been known to…

  You and your home will stay bug free with these tips. Next time you reach for the mosquito repellent, consider these natural ways to keep outdoor bugs at bay. 1. Natural mint mouthwash spray Insects do not like the smell of mint in any form. Transfer your favorite natural mint mouthwash into a spray…

  The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its decisions set precedents that all other courts then follow, and no lower court can ever supersede a Supreme Court decision. In fact, not even Congress or the president can change, reject or ignore a Supreme Court decision. American law operates under the doctrine…

Discover how to improve your mood with these ways of lifting your spirits If you’ve been wondering how to improve your mood, rest assured, you’re not alone. While all of us can experience bad days from time to time when we feel upset, sad or disheartened, for some of us, it can be more long…

  In today’s world, we take animal domestication for granted. But from meat and dairy products to faithful companionship, domesticated animals have provided us innumerable products, services and hours of labor that have had profound effect on the history of humanity. At first, humans used animals merely for food. But eventually, we began to catch on…

  What Happens When You Touch Mercury Metal Mercury is a heavy, liquid metal once common in thermometers and other equipment. Have you ever touched mercury or been exposed to it? Were you fine or did you experience symptoms or exposure? Did you shrug it off or seek medical attention? Here are responses from readers: Info Is Exaggerated Mercury does not absorb…

  To conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and wildlife lovers, John Muir’s name evokes countless connotations. Known as an explorer, farmer, inventor, writer, and more, the Scottish-born naturalist made a lasting impact on the landscape of the United States, and his legacy lives on in all corners of the country. Born on April 21, 1838 in Dunbar,…

  While camping in Yellowstone National Park, you fall asleep to a symphony of crickets and rustling leaves beneath a brilliant full moon. A little while later, a high-pitched moan snaps you out of your slumber. You hear the noise again, and it immediately registers — a wolf’s howl. “No need to worry,” you think as…

  You can find all sorts of high school and college athletic programs named after wolves. And why not? In a mascot battle, North Carolina State University’s Mr. Wuf would surely vanquish Sammy the Slug of University of California-Santa Cruz. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) tend to organize themselves into social groups known as “packs,” with individual…

  There’s a quote attributed to EB White that goes, “Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one.” The list below appears to confirm that, with stories about geniuses who disappeared, geniuses who vanished, and, yes, some geniuses who seem to be some flavor of what people used to call,…

Time to flesh out the difference between these common phrases. Or should we say “flush out”? There are a lot of confusing grammar rules out there. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to keep up. Do you know the difference between lay vs. lie? OK vs. okay? “Flush out” or “flesh out”? You may have been…

  Understanding Contraceptive Choice, Federal Law, and the Constitution Limits on reproductive rights and decisions by women were mostly covered by state laws in the U.S. until the last half of the 20th century, when the Supreme Court began to decide court cases about bodily autonomy, pregnancy, birth control, and abortion access. The following key decisions in constitutional…

    The U.S. Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut struck down a law that prohibited birth control. The Supreme Court found that the law violated the right to marital privacy. This 1965 case is important to feminism because it emphasizes privacy, control over one’s personal life and freedom from government intrusion in relationships. Griswold v. Connecticut helped pave the way…

  Lunar Facts An enhanced image of the Moon taken with the NOAO Mosaic CCD camera using two NSF telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory. The Moon is superimposed on a separate image of the sky. (Image credit: NOAO/AURA/NSF) Did you know there’s no such thing as a full moon? No dark side, either. And if…

  Have you ever WONDERed what the world is made of? Look around you. What makes flowers? How about clouds? What makes the fork you eat? Or the food on your plate? Thanks to modern chemistry, we can learn what things are made of. Years ago, ancient people had their own ideas about what made up…

  How do you wake up in the morning? Does an alarm clock’s shrill scream alert you? Or is it a parent’s gentle voice and nudge that tells you it’s time to get up? For some, the signal of morning is the first rays of the Sun peeking in through the bedroom window. Once you’re up and moving about, how do…

  We were walking through the Wonderopolis forest the other day when we overheard an interesting conversation between a badger and a rabbit: Badger: Say, Roger, what’s that way up high in the sky over there? Rabbit: You mean by the bridge over the pond, Bruce? I think it’s an airplane. Badger: An airplane? I don’t think so. I thought it was a bird. Oh look! Here…

  “I have a dream.” “Four score and seven years ago.” Some speeches are so memorable we can quote them at will. But few of them are commencement speeches. How many of us can recall the commencement speech at our college graduation? What if a commencement speech was not something to be endured, but to be treasured? And…

  Think about all the days of the year you could be born. Counting February 29, which rolls around every four years on Leap Day, there are 366 possible days you could be born. If you meet a random person on the street, what’s the likelihood that she or he would share your exact same birthday? It’s not very likely, right? What are the odds that…

  Ahh…there’s nothing like a relaxing day on the beach. As you soak up the Sun’s rays, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico beckon to you. Could there be a better way to cool down than to go for a swim in the refreshing salt water? Unbeknownst to you, though, a creature lurks nearby in those shallow, coastal waters. Three to four times the length…

  Mass hysteria has reared its ugly head for as long as humans have existed. Adolf Hitler worked enough people into a frenzy to justify the murder of millions of Jews. Jesus Christ, known by all as peaceful, if controversial, was brutally nailed to a cross because a few high-ranking officials felt threatened by him.…

  From time to time, we all get angry or upset. It’s human nature. How we act when we’re angry is very important. So is how we respond to others when they’re upset with us. Our behavior can either make things better or worse. Conflict is a natural part of everyday life. Resolving conflicts is…

  Do you ever make homemade cards for your friends and family members for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries? A short poem paired with an original drawing can make someone’s day and turn into a keepsake they’ll treasure forever. After you give your homemade card to a loved one, you probably don’t give it much thought. But what if that person…

  Friday night is approaching and you can do whatever you want after a long week of school. What sounds most appealing to you? Would you prefer to read or play video games by yourself? Or would a slumber party with 10 of your closest friends sound more exciting? How you answer those questions might give psychologists some insight into your personality. If your friends were…

  Anna Jarvis, who founded Mother’s Day in 1908, passionately opposed its growing commercialization and eventually campaigned against the holiday.   Anna Jarvis, who had no children of her own, conceived of Mother’s Day as an occasion for honoring the sacrifices individual mothers made for their children. In May 1908, she organized the first official Mother’s Day…

  For a new investor, the stock market can feel a lot like legalized gambling. “Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! Randomly choose a stock based on gut instinct and water cooler chatter! If the price of your stock goes up — and who knows why? — you win! If it drops, you lose!” Isn’t…