600 Random Fun Facts For Curious Minds
470/600
Swiss woman denied entry; rare disorder leaves her fingerprintless.
In 2007, a Swiss woman couldn’t enter the U.S. because she had no fingerprints due to a rare genetic disorder called Adermatoglyphia. This condition, which causes the absence of fingerprints, is known to occur in only five extended families worldwide.
469/600
Coober Pedy residents live underground to escape extreme heat.
Coober Pedy in the Australian outback has an underground town where half the population lives below ground to escape extreme heat.
468/600
Fan in coma woke up surprised Federer was still top-ranked.
In 2004, Jesus Aparicio, a tennis fan, fell into a coma after a car accident. He woke up 11 years later in 2015 and was astonished to find that Roger Federer was still a leading player in the tennis world.
467/600
Simeon became king at 6, then Prime Minister in 2001.
When the Bulgarian king passed away at age 49 during World War II, his 6-year-old son Simeon took the throne. Shortly afterward, 97% of Bulgarians voted to end the monarchy. At 64 years old, Simeon ran for Prime Minister in 2001 and was elected, marking his return to leadership in Bulgaria.
466/600
BMW’s 232.5-mile drift included five mid-drift refuelings, two records.
BMW set the world record for the longest water-assisted drift at 232.5 miles, completing mid-drift refueling five times. They also broke the record for the longest twin vehicle drift.
465/600
Swedish students aged 16-20 receive $120 monthly for attending school.
In Sweden, high school students between the ages of 16 and 20 receive a monthly stipend of around $120, contingent upon their full-time school attendance.
464/600
Student won $425K for suspension over sarcastic tweet about teacher.
In 2015, a Minnesota student received a $425,000 settlement after being suspended for sarcastically replying “Actually, yeah” to a tweet suggesting he made out with a teacher.
463/600
Rare opalized fossils from cephalopods can be worth over $1,000,000.
There is a rare type of gemstone that forms in the fossils of extinct cephalopods over hundreds of millions of years. The most expensive opal in the world is one such opalized fossil, valued at over $1,000,000.
462/600
Only Alaska and Hawaii never recorded temperatures above 100°F.
Only two U.S. states have never recorded a temperature above 100°F: Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska’s cooler climate makes it obvious, while Hawaii’s moderate oceanic climate is surprising.
461/600
“South Park” coined “Chewbacca Defense” to describe confusing legal tactics.
The “Chef Aid” episode of “South Park” introduced the term ‘Chewbacca Defense,’ describing a strategy to confuse juries rather than refute cases. Though previously used, the episode gave it a name.