490/501
All humans inherit mitochondrial DNA from “Mitochondrial Eve” in Africa.

All humans today can trace their maternal lineage back to a woman known as “Mitochondrial Eve,” who lived in Africa roughly 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. Her mitochondrial DNA lineage has been inherited by all humans alive today, highlighting our shared genetic roots.

489/501
Parrot Willie saved choking toddler by alerting owner to danger.

Willie, a parrot, alerted his owner Megan Howard when a toddler she was babysitting started choking. Screaming “mama, baby” and flapping his wings, Willie got Megan’s attention. She instantly performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving the child’s life.

488/501
Fisherman unknowingly stored a $100M pearl under his bed for a decade.

In 2006, a Filipino fisherman discovered a massive 34kg pearl, estimated to be worth $100 million. Unaware of its value, he kept it under his bed as a good luck charm for ten years. This incredible find is now recognized as one of the largest natural pearls in the world. The pearl’s true worth was only discovered a decade later.

487/501
Hydrangea colors change with soil pH: blue, pink, or purple.

The color of hydrangea flowers changes with soil pH. Blue hydrangeas grow in acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 or lower, pink hydrangeas in alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5 or higher, and purple hydrangeas in soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. This unique trait allows gardeners to influence their hydrangeas’ colors.

486/501
Man survives grizzly attack by triggering bear’s gag reflex.

In 2015, while hunting elk in Montana, Chase Dellwo encountered a grizzly bear. During the attack, he recalled reading that large animals are known to have sensitive gag reflexes. Acting on this information, he shoved his arm down the bear’s throat, causing it to retreat.

485/501
Japan’s removal of crow nests led to more being built​.

Japan faced problems with crow nests on their electric infrastructure and decided to remove them. However, this led the crows to build even more nests in response, exceeding their previous numbers. This outcome highlights the adaptability and resilience of the local crow population​.

484/501
Drunken Louisiana man rides horse; claims “horse knows the way home.”​

In 2015, a Louisiana man named Jake Williams was arrested for riding his horse, Sugar, while drunk on a highway. He argued it was safe because “the horse knows the way home.” The sheriff concluded it did not qualify as a DUI, and he was charged with public intoxication.

483/501
Chicago man’s car abandonment caused $105,761.80 in parking fines​.

In 2008, a man from Chicago bought a car for $600 and registered it in his ex-girlfriend’s name. He left the car at O’Hare Airport, leading to it accruing 678 parking tickets totaling $105,761.80. This led to a major legal battle, resulting in a settlement with the city​.

482/501
25% of U.S. adults inactive; five states exceed 30%.

About 25% of U.S. adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity to protect their health. Notably, five states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia) have physical inactivity levels at or above 30%​.

481/501
“Downtown” term from 19th-century New York, refers to city centers​.

Americans refer to the city center as “downtown” because the term originated from New York City in the early 19th century. Historically, businesses were located at the southern tip of Manhattan. As the city grew, this area was called “downtown,” and the name stuck nationwide for central business districts​.