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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Ring Turning Fad

Published on July 1, 2014

Posted in: Fashion & Design, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

In 1893, a ring-turning fad was sweeping the nation. If a woman followed the steps exactly, she would meet her future husband.

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Dogs Kill Sheep in Scientific Study

Published on May 20, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

A story from August 20, 1974 reports that Dr. Carl R. Gustavson, an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington State College, had been doing research on sheep being kept at the local zoo in Spokane. Basically, he was trying to condition coyotes to keep them from killing sheep, which was

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Racoon Prevents House Fire

Published on May 13, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Escape and Survival, Tidbits

In 1965, Mr. & Mrs. John Ahlfeldt of Baltimore, Maryland were by their pet raccoon because a faulty fan was producing smoke.

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Snake Milks Cow

Published on May 8, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

In 1936, Arthur Gwinner of Jerseyville, Illinois noticed that one of his cows wasn't producing milk. A snake had been causing the problem.

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Communist Teacher Fired

Published on April 22, 2014

Posted in: Schools & Education, Tidbits

On July 8, 1954, the Wayland, Massachusetts school board fired teacher Ann P. Hale, Jr for having been a member of the Communist Party.

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Summer Job Hoax

Published on April 15, 2014

Posted in: Hoaxes, Schools & Education, Tidbits

In 1932, more than fifty Bronx teachers received a telegram telling them that they had a summer job, Did they really?

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Fired for Taking off Jacket

Published on April 8, 2014

Posted in: Schools & Education, Tidbits

Teacher Walter C. Davis was fired by the Overpeck Township Board of Education for not wearing a tie, among other things.

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Dog Causes Minibike Accident

Published on March 18, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Law & Order, Money & Financial, Tidbits

In 1978, New Canaan, CT resident Charles Bach was awarded $100,000 for injuries sustained after a dog startled him while riding a motorbike.

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Jackie Robinson Lawsuit

Published on March 11, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

In 1954, Jackie Robinson was ejected from a game and tossed his bat. It hit three people and caused injuries.

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Women Forbidden to Marry

Published on March 4, 2014

Posted in: Law & Order, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

When the mother of Bertha, Caroline, Louisa, and Sarah Yaissle died in 1916, her will specified that if any daughter married, they would forfeit their share of the estate.

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Fish Foretell Earthquakes

Published on February 18, 2014

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

Can fish and other aquatic animals help predict earthquakes? Dr. Shinkiski Hatai provided evidence on their strange behavior during a talk in 1933.

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1896 Japanese Tsunami

Published on February 11, 2014

Posted in: Death and Murder, Forgotten History, Science, Technology & Medicine, Tidbits

News traveled slowly in the late 1800s. It would take more than one month for news of a Japanese tsunami to reach the United States.

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1755 Lisbon Tsunami

Published on February 4, 2014

Posted in: Death and Murder, Escape and Survival, Tidbits

The tsunami that hit Lisbon, Portugal on November 25, 1755 killed an estimated 60,000 people. Many had made the mistake of rushing to the shoreline.

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Girl Buys Lots of Puppies

Published on July 20, 2012

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Crime & Punishment, Tidbits

In 1957, seven of the friends of a 12-year-old girl from Detroit, MI became the new owners of puppies. Just how was she able to buy them all puppies?

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Girl Sues Boy

Published on July 10, 2012

Posted in: Law & Order, Tidbits

10-year-old Florence Miller was awarded damages in her lawsuit against 14-year-old Oscar Lenhart. Oscar claimed in court that Florence had tattled on him.

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