Today in 1995 was a strange day in Royal Oak, Michigan. It’s the day authorities had to stop a 17 year old who had been trying to construct a working nuclear reactor at home. Plus: today in 1909, the birthday of Elvis's controversial manager Colonel Tom Parker,

The Radioactive Boy Scout (Harpers) 

That Time a Teenager Built a Nuclear Reactor in His Backyard (Today I Found Out)

The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley by Alanna Nash 

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Today in 1917, another milestone in the one-of-a-kind baseball career of Babe Ruth: he pitched part of a combined no-hitter, even if he didn’t exactly do the lion’s share of the work. Plus: in Lake City, Minnesota, it’s day two of Water Ski Days. 

Babe Ruth made history with help from Ernie Shore (Baseball Hall of Fame)

Water Ski Days 

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Summer heat can leave a lot of us heading inside and cranking up the air conditioner. And yet, if you look at the history of this invention, you’ll find quite a few times where people said, are we sure this is a good idea? Plus: today in 2019, the Tobe Zoo in Japan held a lion escape drill using a human in a lion costume as the escapee.

The Unexpected History of the Air Conditioner (Smithsonian) 

Japanese zoo staff chase furry fake lion in escape drill

Today in 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, which put the document into effect across the US. That’s one notable fact about the Granite State, and here’s another one: a dog once climbed all 48 of the state’s 4,000 foot high mountains. Plus: a new invention uses a special sensor embedded in the zipper of a pair of pants to let you know when your fly is down.

Pug deemed ‘too hyper’ channels energy into mountain climbing — and breaks barriers (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Man Invents App That Tells Him When His Fly Is Down (Neatorama)

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Ten years ago today, a resort in Mt. Nebo, West Virginia dedicated a lighthouse. Which was really something, because West Virginia is landlocked. Plus: this week, Hampton, South Carolina is hosting the Hampton County Watermelon Festival.

The reason why landlocked WV has a lighthouse (WVTourism)

Hampton County Watermelon Festival

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There are lots of traditions that come with Juneteenth, like the foods and drinks that end up on the table at Juneteenth parties. A lot of these refreshments include the color red, and that’s on purpose. Plus, confectionary marvel Amaury Guichon celebrates becoming a US citizen by making an enormous chocolate Statue of Liberty.

My Juneteenth Table (The Spruce Eats)

A Brief History of Red Drink (Smithsonian)

Statue of Liberty modeled in chocolate (Langweile Dichnet)

Today we have a pro tip for you if you’ve got any heavy lifting in your near future: research says it's good for your health if you keep it positive! Plus: this weekend in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, a festival that celebrates two of the area’s most beloved summer treats: the Bell Buckle RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival.

Your thoughts can harm your neck and back during lifting tasks (Ohio State University) 

RC Cola-MoonPie Festival

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Today in 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state in the Union. It’s one of just a handful of states whose names sound different than they’re spelled. And if you’re wondering why it’s pronounced Arkan-saw instead of Ar-kansas, well, that’s what we’re here to explain. Plus: today is the second day of the Le Mars, Iowa Ice Cream Days. 

How Did Arkansas Get its Name (Arkansas Secretary of State) 

Why Arkansas Is Never Pronounced 'Ar-Kansas' (HowStuffWorks)

Le Mars, IA Ice Cream Days

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It's Flag Day here in the US, and a good time to tell the story of the American flag that led to the writing of what is now our national anthem. Plus: in 2017, the community of Pocatello, Idaho raised a new flag to widespread relief, since its old flag had been called the ugliest in the country! 

The Star-Spangled Banner (National Museum of American History) 

East Idaho City Ditches 'Worst Flag In North America' (Boise State Public Radio)

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Today in 1922, a guy named Charles Osborne had an accident with a very unusual side effect: it gave him the hiccups for nearly seven decades. Plus: around this time in 2021 some travelers planned a trip to a spot well off the beaten path. 

A Cure for Hiccups? Retired Farmer Charles Osborne Isn't Holding His Breath—He's Had Them for 60 Years (People)

Anthon's Charles Osborne had hiccups for 68 years straight (Sioux City Journal)

People Are Spending About $2,000 to Visit an Uninhabitable Scottish Island for 20 Minutes (Travel + Leisure via Archive.org)

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