Home The Mine of Useless Information - everything you never needed to know!

Ten Random Facts

The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area located in Idaho, is home to the United States' largest population of birds of prey with 2,500 nesting birds.
Animals

Before the Spanish conquest of South America, the Incas of Peru used gold for everyday objects such as nails, combs and dishes.
History

A tsunami can travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles in a few hours.
Environment

The real St. Nicholas lived in Turkey, where he was bishop of the town of Myra, in the early 4th century. It was the Dutch who first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name eventually became the familiar Santa Claus.
People

Christmas caroling began as an old English custom called Wassailing — toasting neighbors to a long and healthy life.
Holidays » Christmas

There are 35 million digestive glands in the stomach.
People

In medieval times, thunderstorms were believed by some to be the work of demons. So when it stormed, bell ringers would go up into the bell towers to ring the consecrated bells in an effort to stop the storm. This practice didn't always work out well for the bell ringer.
Myths

Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first woman in the United States to become a certified dentist in 1867.
People

In hockey, a "deke" is a quick fake by a puck carrier intended to trick an opponent out of position.
Sports

The pointed tool used by gardeners to make holes in the soil for seeds, bulbs, or young plants is called a dibble.
Words and Numbers

More random trivia, or select from the menu on the left to browse.

© 2006 The Mine of Useless Information