On the night of December 24, 1945, a fire broke out in the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. George and Jennie Sodder, along with four of their children, escaped the blaze. However, five of the Sodder siblings—Maurice (14), Martha (12), Louis (9), Jennie (8), and Betty (5)—were never seen again. Despite the intense fire, no remains of the children were found in the ashes, leaving their fate a mystery.

Shizo Kanakuri was selected to represent Japan in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, becoming one of the first Japanese athletes to participate in the Games. Kanakuri, known for his marathon running, was enthusiastic about the event, despite the long and arduous journey from Japan to Sweden.

In 2004, a restaurant with a quirky concept opened in Taiwan—Modern Toilet Restaurant. The restaurant’s theme revolves entirely around bathroom decor. Diners sit on toilet-shaped seats, eat from miniature toilet bowls, and drink from urinal-shaped glasses, making it one of the most unique dining experiences in the world.

In 1966, David Weston, an inventive engineer from Yorkshire, introduced Tinker, a robot designed to tackle everyday household chores. Tinker wasn’t just a novelty; it could wash cars, weed gardens, take babies for walks, and even accompany its owner on shopping trips. It was one of the most innovative household robots of its time.

Released in 1923, Safety Last! starred Harold Lloyd and became legendary for its daring stunt where Lloyd hangs from a giant clock face high above city streets. This heart-stopping moment thrilled audiences and turned Lloyd into one of Hollywood’s biggest silent film stars.

In 1974, Marina Abramović conducted an experimental performance art piece titled Rhythm 0 at Studio Morra in Naples. For six hours, she stood motionless while the audience was invited to interact with her however they wished. On a table nearby, 72 objects were provided, ranging from harmless items like feathers to more dangerous ones, such as a knife and a gun and a bullet.

In the summer of 1944, Navy Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. had completed 50 missions in World War II. Instead of returning home, he volunteered for a top-secret operation called Operation Aphrodite, aimed at turning old bombers into uncrewed missiles to destroy Nazi targets. On August 12, 1944, Joe Jr. and his co-pilot took off from an English airbase.

On September 13, 1899, Henry Hale Bliss, a 69-year-old real estate man in New York, was struck by a taxicab while stepping off a trolley. Bliss was seriously injured, and the New York Times reported he could not survive. He died the following day, becoming the first known American to be fatally struck by an automobile.

On September 13, 1899, Henry Hale Bliss, a 69-year-old real estate man in New York, was struck by a taxicab while stepping off a trolley. Bliss was seriously injured, and the New York Times reported he could not survive. He died the following day, becoming the first known American to be fatally struck by an automobile.

In 2016, the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) launched an online poll to name a new £200 million polar research vessel. The public could submit and vote on names, and the internet embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.