Top 13 - Amazing Facts and Interesting Stuff

Centered on Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village is a neighborhood made legendary by the world famous artists, musicians, and writers that have flourished and created within steps of its arch. However, what lies beneath that splendid, recently re-landscaped and renovated outdoor sanctuary is a bit more morbid.

In his 2003 book Around Washington Square, Luther S. Harris posed the question, “What had made Greenwich Village such an important seedbed for the growth and flowering of culture in New York City, the United States, and indeed the world?” Could it perhaps have been the fertilizing effects of the 20,000 or so human corpses that still lie beneath the park?

Until 1972, women were prohibited from running the Boston Marathon and the first female to complete race had to hide in the bushes before starting.

It is hard to believe today, when more women run than men. But until 1972, women were prohibited to run the Boston Marathon—the oldest and most prestigious marathon (26.2 miles) in the United States. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer managed to get a bib number for the race by entering as K.V. Switzer and sneaking on to the course in gender-obscuring baggy gray sweatpants.

One of the most notorious popes was Pope Stephen VI, whose papacy began in 896 and ended in 897. He is known for the so-called “Cadaver Synod,” one of the weirdest and most cruel events in papal history. Pope Stephen VI hated his predecessor Pope Formosus, and accused him of heresy and collecting the proceedings from Rome’s many brothels.

Formosus was dead when the papacy of Pope Stephen VI began, but Pope Stephen wanted to make an example of Formosus and decided to organize a posthumous trial. Formosus’ rotting corpse was exhumed, redressed in his ceremonial robes, and sat upon the papal throne so he could be tried. A deacon was chosen to represent Formosus, since the dead Formosus was unable to defend himself, and the deacon chose to remain silent during the proceedings.

The last person to be executed by guillotine was murderer Hamida Djandoubi on September 10, 1977. This happened, literally, a few months after the world celebrated the May 25th premiere of Star Wars IV: A New Hope.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote 23 original concertos for piano and orchestra. These works, many of which Mozart composed for himself to play in the Vienna concert series of 1784–86, held special importance for him.

By comparing organisms' genetic material and internal structures, animals and fungi, like mushrooms, were found to share a common ancestor. It is believed that the common ancestor was a single-celled organism that possessed both animal and fungal characteristics, including sperm-like features and a stronger cell wall. Mushrooms thus, are related to humans based on the sophistication of its genes.

Watching horror films burns nearly 200 calories a time.

Watching a horror film could burn off a whole bar of chocolate, according to new research.

Taylor Swift topped the iTunes Canada chart with a song that was literally just 8 seconds

All the blue meth in Breaking Bad was actually blue hued rock candy.

A 'butt' was a unit of measure for wine in Medieval England.

In its latest attempt to keep up with the times the Vatican has married one of its oldest traditions to the world of social media by offering "indulgences" to followers of Pope Francis' tweets.

So you think smoking is just bad for your health? As a couple of Apple Computer owners found out recently, smoking apparently has more far reaching consequences to a person than just their overall well being. It can even void your Apple computer warranty as well.

New Zealand's Prime Minister has been forced to publicly deny rumours he is a SHAPESHIFTING ALIEN.