During the American Civil War, Northern men could pay a substitute to serve in the army in their place.

The Emperor Frederick III of Austria had five letters painted on his belongings and his buildings. They were "a e i o u."

Gerald Ford ascended to the presidency at a difficult time in American history. He had been appointed vice president because of his reputation for honesty and integrity, to replace a vice president who had resigned in disgrace.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Lord Colby of Wales left to go bear hunting in Siberia. He would be gone 18 months. His wife asked if she could make a few alterations to the house while he was gone.

Elizabeth Shoumatoff was the Russian artist who was painting the portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt when he died in Warm Springs, Ga., April 12, 1945.

In 1876, a highly touted plant made its American debut at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

Maximus Julias Pauson was not given a name at birth and went without one for 19 years. His birth certificate simply said "Baby Boy. Name to Come."

Have you ever heard of the disease Encephalitis Lethargica.

When William the Conqueror came to invade England, he made a grand entrance; but as he got off the boat, he stumbled and fell, bloodying his nose on the cobblestones.

Thomas Paine was the fiery writer who ignited the American Revolution with his book Common Sense.