26Jack Benny's Daily Rose Tradition
Upon Jack Benny's demise in 1974, his will stipulated a touching gesture for his widow, Mary Livingstone. It arranged for a single long-stemmed red rose to be delivered daily to her for the remainder of her life. This ritual continued for eight and a half years until her passing in 1983.
27. Sir Isaac Newton received the prestigious appointment of Master of the Royal Mint as recognition for his scientific accomplishments. Initially perceived as a no-show job position with minimal responsibilities, Newton approached it with earnestness. He personally pursued counterfeiters and undertook the task of revaluing the currency, devoting significant attention to the role, contrary to expectations.
28. The population of Ancient Rome was estimated to be one million, a milestone not matched in a European capital until the early 1800s, when London's population reached the same figure.
29. All polar bears encountered in Iceland are promptly shot. As non-native inhabitants, they pose a significant risk due to hunger resulting from drifting over from Greenland on ice floes. The logistical challenges and costs involved make it impractical to relocate them back to their native habitat.
30. John Bentinck, the 5th Duke of Portland, lived an extremely reclusive life. For two decades, only a single servant had sight of him; not even his physician had access. He constructed a labyrinth of tunnels spanning 15 miles beneath his estate, featuring an expansive ballroom that never hosted any dances. Every space within his mansion and the underground tunnels was coated in pink paint.
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31Devin Gaines' Academic Feat
Devin Gaines achieved the remarkable feat of obtaining five bachelor's degrees concurrently within five years from the University of Connecticut. After accumulating 276 credits, he graduated in May 2007. Tragically, just two months later, in July, he met his demise in a gravel pit quarry while swimming with friends.
32. In 1905, James Blackstone bowled a game, officially scoring 299.5. The final frame saw a pin split in half, with one portion remaining upright, leading to the unusual score.
33. Doc Holliday, renowned as a Wild West gambler and gunslinger, harbored the belief that he would meet his end in a shootout with his boots on. However, fate had a different plan, as he succumbed to tuberculosis in a hospital bed. In his final moments, he humorously remarked on his bare feet, expressing, "This is funny," before passing away.
34. Nicolas Cage, in his proposal to Patricia Arquette, was tasked with acquiring peculiar items to demonstrate his affection. These items included J.D. Salinger's autograph, a Bob's Big Boy statue, a black orchid, and a Hill Tribe wedding outfit. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge, he managed to procure them all.
35. In 2017, a 6-year-old girl utilized Amazon Alexa to order a $160 dollhouse along with four pounds of cookies. Following a news report by a San Diego TV station on this incident, the phrase "Alexa ordered me a dollhouse" triggered Alexa devices across the city, prompting attempted dollhouse purchases.
