Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the ground running with this episode of Fun Facts Daily! We'll explore the amazing world of running with fascinating history, a word of the day and a simple tip to help you avoid injuries as you ramp up your mileage. Discover why humans are naturally built for incredible endurance, capable of outrunning many animals over long distances. We'll also uncover the surprisingly royal origins of the modern marathon distance (26.2 miles!) and dive into the world of "ultramarathons" with our vocabulary word of the day.

Learn about the mind-blowing speed of the world's fastest mile, the historic legacy of the planet's oldest annual marathon, and even the quirky sport of backward running! Plus, get a practical tip to help you safely increase your running mileage. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just curious about the sport, this episode is packed with fascinating facts and inspiring stories about human perseverance and athleticism.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Get ready for some truly unbelievable bear facts on this episode of Fun Facts Daily! We journey from the frozen Arctic to the historic halls of Cambridge University to explore the fascinating world of bears. Discover the secrets of the polar bear—the world's only marine mammal bear—and find out why its fur isn't actually white. Learn about the planet's largest land carnivore, the colossal Kodiak bear, and contrast it with the tiny, honey-loving sun bear. We'll also share the wild but true story of the famous poet Lord Byron and the pet bear he defiantly kept in his college dorm room. Plus, we challenge a common belief about bears and their long winter naps. Tune in for these amazing stories, essential bear safety tips, and so much more!

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the heart of our solar system in this episode dedicated to the most fascinating facts about the sun. Discover the science behind the heliosphere, the sun's massive protective bubble that shields our planets from deep space. Explore the sun's incredible scale, accounting for 99.8% of the solar system's mass, and its immense power, from solar flares to the constant solar wind. The episode reveals how the sun acts as a cosmic artist, painting our blue skies, fiery sunsets, and the breathtaking aurora borealis. We also cover the eight-minute journey of sunlight to Earth, the ancient Egyptian worship of the sun god Ra, and a practical survival tip for using the sun for navigation. Finally, we challenge a universal assumption about the sun's appearance—is it truly the yellow it appears to be? Tune in for an in-depth look at the star we revolve around.

What to learn more about outer space? Check out my ⁠Spotify Playlist: Fun Facts About Space Exploration⁠

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journey back in time with us as we uncover the true story of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt. Find out what made her so famously beautiful and alluring. In this episode, you'll learn the surprising truth about her family's origins, her incredible talent for languages, and how she used her sharp intellect to make one of the most expensive bets in history. Cleopatra bet Marc Antony that she could spend ten million sesterces on a single dinner. After he hosted a lavish meal, she came in with a cup of vinegar. She dissolved a large pearl in the vinegar and then proceeded to drink it. We'll also explore her lesser-known accomplishments as a published author and the secrets behind her signature royal perfume.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the "sugar high" a scientific fact or a long-standing myth? This episode unwraps the sweet truth about candy, putting one of parenting's most common beliefs to the test. We then journey through the fascinating history of candy, from its origins as an ancient Egyptian offering to the world's oldest sweet shop, established in 1827. Discover the surprising marketing deal that created the real-life Willy Wonka Candy Company and learn the shocking identity of cotton candy's co-inventor: a dentist! From fun facts and kitchen tips to incredible art made from thousands of jelly beans, treat yourself to some fun facts about candy.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into the world of academic celebrations on this episode of Fun Facts Daily! We're demystifying graduation traditions, starting with a surprising truth about why those iconic caps and gowns became customary. Learn the meaning of "regalia," and get ready for five fascinating facts: discover why honorary degrees to people who often didn't study at the university, learn about the youngest college graduate ever, and hear the incredible story of a 99-year-old who finally got his degree nearly 80 years after starting college! We'll also uncover the origins of the cap toss and the famous "Pomp and Circumstance" march. Plus, get a handy tip to keep your gown looking sharp on the big day.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average American owns 19 pairs of shoes. We wear them constantly, but seldom give them much thought. Learn the name for the little plastic bit at the end of your shoe laces.  The oldest known leather shoe, the Areni-1 shoe, is over 5,500 years old, predating Stonehenge and the pyramids. Sneakers with distinct left and right designs didn't appear until 1818.  Nike's iconic waffle sole was inspired by a waffle iron used by co-founder Bill Bowerman. Lastly, the Netherlands is home to the world's largest shoe collection, with over 25,000 pairs.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Dr. Mae Jemison is a multi-talented individual who made history as the first African American woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Before her spaceflight, she served in the Peace Corps as a medical officer in West Africa. She holds degrees in both Chemical Engineering and African and African-American Studies from Stanford University and later earned her medical degree from Cornell University. Beyond her scientific achievements, she is an accomplished dancer, even considering a professional dance career, and she made a guest appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation. After leaving NASA, she founded BioSentient Corp, a company focused on developing technology to monitor the human nervous system.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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The Terracotta Army is a collection of thousands of life-sized terracotta figures depicting soldiers, chariots, and horses, created to accompany Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, each of the estimated 8,000 soldiers features unique facial details and expressions. Originally, they were armed with real weapons and painted in vibrant colors, though much of the paint has faded. The army, part of a vast mausoleum complex, took decades and 700,000 laborers to construct, reflecting the emperor's obsession with immortality and his desire to maintain his imperial power in the afterlife.

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

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Axolotls are unique aquatic salamanders known for their neoteny, retaining juvenile traits like external gills throughout adulthood. They possess remarkable regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing limbs, organs, and even parts of their brains. Native only to the Xochimilco lake complex in Mexico, they are critically endangered due to habitat loss and pollution. Axolotls have a versatile respiratory system, using gills, lungs, and skin for breathing. Minecraft added axolotls in 2021 to raise awareness about the endangered species, continuing the game's trend of featuring real-world animals. Axolotls have also inspired characters like Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon" and the Pokémon Wooper. In Mexico, axolotls are a national symbol, notably appearing on the 50-peso banknote that won an award in 2021.

Support Axolotls through the World Wildlife Fund

Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices