On this day in 1973, a couple in Murphysboro, Illinois reported seeing a tall, hairy, extremely smelly creature that over time became known as The Big Muddy Monster. But what the heck was it? Plus: today is the anniversary of Elvis Presley's final concert. And yes, there's a historic marker on the site. 

Chasing Monsters: Big Muddy Monster still has Murphysboro residents wondering (The Southern Illinoisian)

Big Muddy Monster Case File (Murphysboro.com)

The King’s Final Bow: Elvis’s Last Concert in Indianapolis (Indiana History Blog)

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It was on this day in 1894 that Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, aka Annie Londonderry, set off on a bike trip that, over the next fifteen months, would make her the first woman to ride a bike around the world. Plus: meet a contraption that can hit a home run about twice as far as the ones in the big leagues. 

A Woman to Know: Annie Londonderry Cohen (A Woman To Know)

First woman to cycle the globe begins journey  (Jewish Women's Archive)

World's Longest Home Run (The "Mad Batter" Machine) (Smarter Every Day via YouTube)

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Today at the 2010 Wimbledon tennis tournament was the first day of the longest professional tennis match ever played. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played for more than 11 hours over three days! Plus: since Wimbledon 2020 has been canceled, what are they doing with all those strawberries they usually sell? 

Wimbledon 2010: John Isner beats Nicolas Mahut in epic (BBC)

When Isner beat Mahut 70-68 in the fifth: Wimbledon's 11-hour epic defies belief, a decade on (Yahoo! Sports)

Wimbledon strawberries preserved: Huge 750kg crop will be turned into jam after this year's tennis tournament is cancelled due to coronavirus (Daily Mail) 

Bees are running into a lot of challenges lately, and while there are efforts to help the bees get their buzz back, scientists are testing out systems that might give us other ways to pollinate. One, at the Washington State University, involves cameras and robot hands - while another, in Japan, involves soap bubbles. 

Robotic crop pollination awarded $1 million grant (Washington State University)

Blowing bubbles: Soapy spheres pop pollen on fruit trees (BBC)

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This is about the time we were all supposed to be gearing up for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Since that's on hold, let's instead talk about the Inter-Allied Games, which began in Paris on this day in 1919. Plus: if you'd like some fierce sporting competition from this century, try out the American Hedgehog Bowling Association (and don't worry, the hedgehogs aren't bowled down the lanes). 

WWI Soldiers Held their Own Olympics After the War (History.com)

Two Little Hedgehogs Try to Knock Down as Many Pins as They Can in an Adorable Bowling Tournament (Laughing Squid)

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One of the many special places you can mark Juneteenth is at the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, Texas, with an art installation that has five statues and six pedestals. Plus: the summer solstice is this weekend, and while crowds won't be on hand the usual way at Stonehenge, they can take in the whole event virtually.

Juneteenth Memorial Monuments Find a Home (AustinTexas.gov)

You Can Watch the Summer Solstice Live From Stonehenge This Year (Thrillist)

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It's the birthday of Roger Ebert, a great film critic, TV host and author, and a pioneer in developing realistic-sounding electronic voices. Today we have the story of how he worked to create a voice called "Roger Jr." Plus: how about teaching the electronic voices to read some of Ebert’s hilariously devastating negative movie reviews?

Remaking my voice (TED Talks)

Roger Ebert's New Voice (CBS Sunday Morning) 

Ebert's Most Hated (RogerEbert.com)

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Video games are now as artistically and technically challenging as any other art form. But now they've really leveled up: the FDA has just approved a video game-based treatment for ADHD. Plus: a school librarian in western Virginia just found a clever way to get books to her students while schools and libraries are closed. 

Children with ADHD can now be prescribed a video game, FDA says (CNN)

Google-backed drones will drop library books so kids in Virginia can do their summer reading (Washington Post)

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Sometimes you go into space to land on the moon, and other times it’s for maintenance purposes. NASA is planning a mission to replace the toilet on the International Space Station. Plus: this is Waste and Recycling Workers Week, are you paying tribute to those who collect all the stuff we toss out? 

The International Space Station is getting a new toilet this year (Space.com)

The Week of June 17th is Waste and Recycling Workers Week 

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It was on this day in 1954 that one of the most important monster movies most people have never heard of was released: "Them!" (note the exclamation mark in the title) featured giant irradiated ants, James Arness, the Wilhelm Scream, Fess Parker, Leonard Nimoy and more! Plus: science has determined how to give the perfect hug, so start practicing. 

11 Fun Facts About Them! (Mental Floss)

Hug me tender: scientists unlock the secret to the perfect cuddle (Yahoo! News)

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