10 Random Facts You Never Needed to Know

Whether you use them as a conversation starter or to prepare for a wicked game of trivia, a few random facts can go a long way. These facts are often composed of information that no one truly ever needed to know, but are both intriguing and interesting at their core. Check out 10 of these random facts to have on hand in your next social situation.

1. Octothorpe Throwback Thursday?

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The hashtag symbol is technically called an octothorpe.

2. Taking an invention to the grave—literally.

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The inventor of the Pringles can is now buried in one.

3. Learn more about this classic candy.

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M&M stands for Mars and Murrie.

4. Take your love for wine to the next level.

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You can major in wine at Cornell University.

5. Every child’s worst fear.

The feeling of getting lost inside a mall is known as the Gruen transfer.

6. Oh, the irony.

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Cotton candy was invented by a dentist.

7. A hunger-inducing trip to space.

Space smells like seared steak.

8. A concerning discovery.

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A dozen bodies were once found in Benjamin Franklin’s basement.

9. Wearing their heart on their head.

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The heart of a shrimp is located in its head.

10. Seriously slacking on the job.

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Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguard left his post at Ford’s Theatre to go for a drink.

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History Facts - The Berlin Wall

  1. The Berlin Wall was built by the East German government to allegedly protect its people from the fascist elements of West Germany. The West Berlin city government called it the Wall of Shame because it restricted freedom of movement.
  2. From 1949 to 1961, when the wall was a threat but had not been constructed yet, over two million East Germans fled to the West. In 1961, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to help East Germany build the wall.
  3. 138 of the people who attempted to cross the Berlin Wall, were shot dead, committed suicide, or suffered tragic accidents. Ida Sikman who died on August 22, 1961, was the wall's first victim.
  4. The first person to escape the Wall was Conrad Schumann, an East German border guard corporal. He jumped over the three-foot-high roll of barbed wire. The wall's last victim was an East German who tried to fly over the wall with a hot air balloon but crashed into power lines.
  5. East German politburo member Gunter Schabowski, announced on November 9, 1989, that the restrictions on travel visas are lifted. The announcement, however, was one day too soon, resulting in thousands of East Berliners at the Wall. The border officers ultimately opened the crossing.
  6. The demolition of the Berlin Wall started in the summer of 1990. Most of the sections were recycled for other construction projects, but a few were auctioned off. Some are scattered in locations like the Vatican gardens, or the men's room at a Las Vegas casino.

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