Because metal was scarce; the Oscars given out during World War II were made of plaster.
40
The site where the Parthenon was built had to be cleared of hundreds of dinosaur bones (then called giants' bones) before construction could begin.
13
In 1518, a "dancing plague" struck Strasbourg, Alsace, whereby hundreds of people danced fervently in the streets over the period of a month. Some suffered heart attacks or strokes, and many others died from sheer exhaustion. It remains unexplained.
19
Romans used a plant called Silphium as contraception. They had so much sex that they drove it into extinction.
24
The first chocolate eggs were made in Germany in the 19th century and remain one of the most popular Easter candies today.
85
The first semi-permanent settlements appeared in Florida around 5000 B.C.
10
Although Nostradamus died in the middle of 1566, his 1567 almanac was published because he had the foresight to prepare it before his death.
19
Hundreds of years ago, the Aztecs of Mexico and the people of Nicaragua believed gods lived in volcanoes. They would sacrifice beautiful young girls to these powerful gods.
10