Today in 1975, Aerosmith released the landmark album “Toys In The Attic.” One of the biggest hits from that album got its name from an unusual source - the Mel Brooks movie "Young Frankenstein." Plus: this weekend in New Mexico it's the Las Cruces Space Festival. 

How Aerosmith Created 'Walk This Way' (Wall Street Journal via Archive.org)  

Las Cruces Space Festival 

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It's National Beer Day, so it's a good time to talk about a plan from the 1960s, when beer magnate Alfred Heineken tried to rework his company's green bottles so they could be upcycled into bricks for low-income houses. Plus: it’s beer day every day at the Beer Can Museum and Beer Can Hall of Fame in Taunton, Massachusetts.

100,000 Bottles of Beer in the Wall (Cabinet Magazine)

Did Alfred Heineken Invent Bottle To Function as a Brick To Build Houses? (Snopes)

Beer Can Museum & Beer Can Hall of Fame

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Today in 1837, the birthday of Mary Patten. She became a celebrity when she came along on a shipping trip led by her husband and ended up in charge of the ship. Plus: photographer Andrew McCarthy has put together a timelapse of the moon’s phases that shows its lunar libration, or sway, in all its glory.

Mary Patten, 19 and Pregnant, Takes Command of a Clipper Ship in 1856 (New England Historical Society)

The Moon Sways Through Its Phases in an Incredible Timelapse Made from Over 2 Million Images (Colossal)

Thanks to our Patreon backers, who always rise to the occasion

National Library Week is here, so it’s a good time to tell the story of librarians who traveled through eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression on horses and mules carrying books and magazines in saddlebags. Plus: there is a world record for most overdue library book (!) 

The Pack Horse Librarians (Appalachian History)

Most overdue library book (Guinness World Records)

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The Chrysler Bell Victory Siren could put out 138 dB at 100 feet away. That was so loud it could actually turn fog into rain, and turn eardrums into mush. Plus: today in 2014, a movie theater tried to show a movie about a flood, but an actual flood got in the way. 

The Chrysler Air Raid Siren Was So Powerful it Could Induce Rain (Amusing Planet)

Noah screening cancelled due to flooding (The Independent) 

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Today is April Fool’s Day, but it's also it’s the first day of Financial Awareness Month. So be aware that at the Arkansas State Capitol, you can hold the state’s money in your hands. Plus: in Albuquerque, New Mexico this weekend, it's the Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest, where you can spend some of your own money on deliciousness. 

Arkansas Treasurer's Office: About Us 

Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest  

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Today in 1950, Hot Spring, New Mexico gave itself a new name, by responding to a challenge from the game show Truth or Consequences. And now they have an annual event called the Truth or Consequences Fiesta! 

How Did The City Of Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico Get Its Name? (WorldAtlas.com)

Truth or Consequences Fiesta (Sierra County New Mexico)

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Today in 1867, Secretary of State William Seward agreed to a deal to acquire the land now known as Alaska. It's an unusual state in many ways, and here's the story of an unusual town that was supposed to be named for one bird but got named after a different one instead. Plus: an unusual website called “Just the Punctuation" lets you type in any text you want and then takes all the words out. 

Chicken (Travel Alaska)

Got commas? (Bookofjoe)

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Today is the birthday President John Tyler. He was born in 1790, and he served as US president in the 1840s. And he has a grandson who is alive in 2022. Plus: this week in Columbia, Tennessee, it's Mule Day. (Yes, they know that Mule Day takes place over more than a single day.) 

Grandpa President (Now I Know)

Columbia, Tennessee Mule Day 

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Today in 1944, Astrid Lindgren of Stockholm, Sweden fell on ice and sprained her ankle. While stuck in bed, she decided to write down some stories she'd been telling her daughter, stories that would lead to one of the most popular children's book series of all time. Plus: today in 2005, an ultramarathon runner from Tucson, Arizona, Pam Reed, set a world record by running 301 miles. She ran for 79 hours and 55 minutes without stopping!?! 

Astrid Lindgren, Swedish Writer of Pippi Longstocking Tales, Dies at 94 (New York Times)

Tucsonan Reed sets world record with 300-mile run (Tucson.com)

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