WTF • Fun • Fact    ( /dʌb(ə)lˌju/  /ti/   /ef/ • /fʌn/ • /fækt/ )

     1. noun  A random, interesting, and overall fun fact that makes you scratch your head and think what the...

WTF Fun Fact 13288 – The Healing Power of Laughter

March 19th is National Let’s Laugh Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the healing power of laughter. Laughter can reduce stress, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being.

Science on the healing power of laughter

Laughter has some quirky effects on the body. For example:

  • Laughing increases oxygen flow to the brain. This can improve mental clarity and creativity.
  • Laughter can help relieve pain. It does this by releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers.
  • Laughter has been shown to improve cardiovascular health. It can increase blood flow and reduce inflammation in the body.
  • Laughing can help improve relationships and social bonding. That’s because it creates positive feelings and can be contagious.
  • In some cultures, laughter is considered a form of therapy. It’s used to treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions. Laughter can even help boost the immune system.
  • Laughing can increases the production of antibodies and activate immune cells.

A day to celebrate laughing

So, how can you celebrate National Let’s Laugh Day? Here are some ideas:

  • Watch a funny movie or TV show with friends or family.
  • Attend a comedy show or open mic night.
  • Practice laughing yoga or other laughter exercises.
  • Spend time with people who make you laugh.
  • Share funny stories or jokes with friends and coworkers.

Have you heard of “laughter yoga”?

Laughter yoga is a form of exercise that combines laughter with breathing techniques and gentle physical movements. It was developed in India in the mid-1990s by Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician who wanted to promote the health benefits of laughter.

In laughter yoga, participants engage in a series of laughter exercises. These stimulate laughter and promote feelings of joy and relaxation. These exercises may involve things like clapping, chanting, and playful interactions with other participants.

The goal of laughter yoga is not to tell jokes or be funny, but rather to engage in intentional, prolonged laughter. Laughing for an extended period of time, even if it’s initially forced or fake, helps the body produce genuine laughter, which helps release tension and promote feelings of well-being.

Researchers have found that laughter yoga has a variety of health benefits, including reducing stress, boosting the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing mood. It’s also been used as a complementary therapy for a variety of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.

Remember, laughter is a powerful tool for improving your physical and mental well-being. So, go ahead and let out a good belly laugh on National Let’s Laugh Day (and every day) to reap the benefits of this simple but effective form of therapy.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “National Let’s Laugh Day” — National Days Today

WTF Fun Fact 13287 – The First Spacewalk

On March 18th, 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov made history by becoming the first person to walk in space. Leonov left his spacecraft, the Voskhod 2, and floated in space for 12 minutes and 9 seconds. The first spacewalk paved the way for future space exploration and opened up new possibilities for scientific research in space.

The Soviets made the first spacewalk

The spacewalk was a remarkable achievement for the Soviet space program, which was in competition with the United States at the time to achieve milestones in space exploration. The mission was not without its challenges, however. Leonov’s space suit had inflated in the vacuum of space, making it difficult for him to move and causing him to experience overheating.

Despite these challenges, Leonov successfully completed his spacewalk and returned to the spacecraft, where he faced another problem. The spacecraft’s automatic landing system had failed, and Leonov and his crewmate had to manually steer the spacecraft to a safe landing.

Subsequent spacewalks

Since Leonov’s historic feat, many other astronauts and cosmonauts have followed in his footsteps (or rather, lack of footsteps). Here are some quirky facts about spacewalking:

  • The longest spacewalk in history was conducted by Russian cosmonauts in 2013. They spent 8 hours and 7 minutes outside the International Space Station.
  • Spacewalks are often referred to as “EVA,” which stands for “extravehicular activity.”
  • Spacewalkers wear special suits called Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs). These are designed to protect them from the extreme conditions of space.
  • During a spacewalk, astronauts and cosmonauts tether themselves to the spacecraft to prevent them from floating away into space.
  • The first American to conduct a spacewalk was Ed White in 1965, just a few months after Leonov’s historic walk.
  • In 1984, American astronaut Bruce McCandless made history. He became the first person to fly freely in space without being tethered to a spacecraft.
  • The first all-female spacewalk took place in 2019. Astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir conducted a 7-hour walk to replace a failed power controller.

As space exploration continues to advance, it’s likely that we’ll see even more remarkable achievements in spacewalking. But Alexei Leonov’s historic spacewalk on March 18th, 1965 opened up a new world of possibilities for space exploration.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “The First Spacewalk” — New Scientist

WTF Fun Fact 13286 – U.S. St. Patrick’s Day Spending


The National Retail Federation’s annual St. Patrick’s Day survey (cited below) found that 148 million Americans plan to celebrate the holiday this year, up from 139 million in 2022. This increase in celebrants is likely due to the continued rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions on gatherings and events.

St. Patrick’s Day spending hits an all-time high

Consumers plan to spend a total of $6.9 billion, or an average of $43.84 per person. That’s over $1 billion more than last year.

The NRF’s survey also found that the largest portion of St. Patrick’s Day spending will go towards food and beverages, with the average person planning to spend $35.37 on items like green beer, Irish whiskey, and traditional Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage.

Americans are getting their Irish on via clothing and decorations too. 23% of survey respondents planned to buy green-themed clothing and accessories like hats, t-shirts, and socks. 14% planned to purchase home decorations like shamrock-themed tablecloths, napkins, and placemats.

The NRF notes this record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day spending is good news for retailers and businesses. Many of these have struggled over the past two years due to the pandemic.

With the holiday falling on a Friday in 2023, many Americans will continue to celebrate throughout the weekend. This will provide even more opportunities for spending on food, drinks, and festivities.

The NRF also notes that this is an all-ages affair.

“Although younger consumers are still more likely to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than any other age group, celebration plans among those 35 and up are on the rise. As consumers start aging out of the 18- to 34-year-old category, they’re bringing their enthusiasm for St. Patrick’s Day with them to the next stage in their lives. Maybe their favorite color is green, maybe they really like corned beef hash, but whatever it is, they keep coming back for more St. Patrick’s Day.”

Of course, the pandemic is not over yet, and St. Paddy’s celebrations may still be impacted by COVID-19. But with vaccines becoming more widely available, celebrations will probably be more robust this year.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “How consumers are celebrating a record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day” — National Retail Federation

WTF Fun Fact 13285 – How Blind People Dream

Have you ever wondered what blind people experience in their dreams? You’re not alone – the question of what blind people dream has intrigued researchers for years. More specifically, the question is about the dreams of those who have been blind since birth. These are people who haven’t collected visual images to fuel their dreams.

According to The Conversation (cited below):
“Humans born without sight are not able to collect visual experiences, so they understand the world entirely through their other senses. As a result, people with blindness at birth develop an amazing ability to understand the world through the collection of experiences and memories that come from these non-visual senses.”

Insights into how blind people dream

People who are born blind do dream, despite having never seen visual images. But their dreams seem to be different from those of sighted individuals. For example, instead of visual images, blind people may experience dreams that involve more vivid sensory experiences, such as sounds, smells, and touch.

The article in The Conversation by neuroscientist John J. Foxe and psychologist Andrei Gorea notes, “the visual areas of the brain are not dormant during dream sleep in congenitally blind people, but instead get co-opted for processing other senses.” This means that while blind people may not see images in their dreams, their brains are still processing sensory information. And they do this in much the same way that sighted people process visual information.

One study conducted by the University of Copenhagen found that blind individuals may have more intense and emotional dreams than sighted individuals. That’s because their brains may compensate for a lack of visual stimuli by enhancing other sensory experiences. As Foxe and Gorea explain, “this is thought to be due to the fact that the brain has to work harder to create a sensory-rich environment in the absence of visual input.”

The study also found that people who were born blind may dream more about other people and interpersonal interaction. That makes sense since blind people may rely more heavily on senses like hearing and touch to interact with others. Foxe and Gorea note that “this may result in a greater emphasis on interpersonal relationships in dream content.

Seeing dreams

Interestingly, some blind individuals really do seem to dream in visual images. This phenomenon is called “sighted dreaming.” It has been reported by some blind individuals, and researchers hypothesize that it may be related to the brain’s innate ability to construct mental images based on experiences.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the dream experiences of those who have been blind since birth. But research has given us fascinating insights into how the brain processes sensory information and uses it during dream sleep. Foxe and Gorea note: “…this research has implications…for our understanding of how the brain adapts to sensory deprivation more generally.”

Overall, the dream experiences of blind individuals continue to intrigue us. As our understanding of the brain and its functions continues to evolve, we may discover even more fascinating facts about the dream experiences of blind individuals and how they differ from those of sighted individuals.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “What do blind people experience in their dreams?” — The Conversation

WTF Fun Fact 13284 – The Invention of Balloons

The invention of balloons goes back over 1000 years. But modern balloons didn’t come about until the 19th century.

The first balloons were made from animal bladders. People would use the bladders of animals – such as pigs, cows, and goats – to create primitive balloons for games or decor.

Ancient inflatables

The first recorded use of animal bladder balloons was in ancient China during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). It is said that the balloons were used by courtiers to play a game called “Lantern at Night” where they would try to keep the balloon in the air for as long as possible using only their feet.

In Europe during the Middle Ages, animal bladder balloons were popular toys for children. They would often be filled with air and decorated with drawings or painted designs.

Animal bladder balloons were not only used for entertainment purposes, but also had practical applications. For example, in the 18th century, French doctors used pig bladder balloons to perform bladder surgeries.

In ancient Mesoamerica, animal bladder balloons were used for spiritual and religious purposes. They were a symbol of the “breath of life.”

As you might imagine, the durability of animal bladder balloons was very limited. These primitive balloons would often burst or deflate quickly. It wasn’t until the invention of rubber balloons that inflatables became more durable and could hold their shape for long periods of time.

The invention of modern balloons

In 1824, English scientist Michael Faraday discovered that he could use rubber to make a balloon that would retain its shape for longer periods.

This discovery paved the way for the balloons we use today. However, today’s balloons are typically made from materials like latex or Mylar. These are obviously longer-lasting materials than rubber or animal bladders.

Of course, balloons are now known to have many negative effects on the environment. When released into the air, they often end up in the water, where they harm marine life.

Additionally, standard balloons can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Despite these concerns, balloons continue to be a popular decoration for birthday parties and weddings to parades. In the near future, there are likely to be more biodegradable choices for balloon materials.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Balloons” — Science World

WTF Fun Fact 13283 – The Color Red

The color red can make you feel hungrier and may even increase physical performance and attention to detail, making it a popular choice in restaurants, gyms, and academic settings.

The psychology of the color red

Color psychology is an interesting field. It explores how different colors can affect our mood, behavior, and perception without us really even noticing. It can even ramp up excitement levels.

As a warm color, red is also thought to stimulate our senses in a way that may increase our heart rate and even our blood pressure.

According to Scientific American (cited below):

“Some of the hue’s significance has a biological basis. Many humans get red in the face from increased blood flow when they are angry. A similar process activates a flush of embarrassment or a more flirtatious blush. Seeing red also triggers some surprising behaviors. For instance, drivers blocked in traffic by a red car react faster and more aggressively than drivers barred by vehicles of other colors.”

Red can evoke feelings of hunger and appetite. That’s why it’s often used in restaurants and food packaging. Studies have shown that people tend to eat more when they are surrounded by the color red.

Next time you drive around town, notice how many fast-food restaurants and other dining establishments use red in their logos and signage.

Red gets us moving – mentally and physically

In addition to its effects on appetite, the color red is also associated with physical performance and attention to detail. In fact, studies have shown that athletes who wear red uniforms or see the color red before a competition tend to perform better. They even have a higher chance of winning. This is because red can increase arousal and improve focus, which can be beneficial in athletic settings.

Similarly, the color red has been shown to improve performance in academic settings. Studies have found that students who are exposed to something red before an exam tend to perform better and have higher levels of concentration. That’s because red can increase attention to detail and improve memory retention.

Despite its many benefits, the color red can also have negative associations. We also tend to associate red with danger, warning signs, and stop signs. These can create feelings of stress and anxiety in some people.

In addition, some people tend to feel aggression and anger around this color. That’s why architects and designers often avoid using red in certain contexts, such as in hospitals and mental health facilities.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “How the Color Red Influences Our Behavior” — Scientific American

WTF Fun Fact 13282 – The Ides of March


March 15th is known as the Ides of March. It’s a day that has become synonymous with betrayal and tragedy.

What is the Ides of March, and why is it infamous?

The Ides of March is a day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15th.

After changing their calendar system multiple times, the ancient Romans eventually divided into three parts:

– The Kalends (the 1st day of all months).
– The Nones (the 7th of March, May, July, and October, and the 5th of other months).
– The Ides (the 15th day in March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months).

Today, we associate the Ides of March with Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE. Interestingly, they were also a day set aside for settling debts in ancient Rome.

On that day, a group of senators, including Brutus and Cassius, stabbed Caesar 23 times. He died on the steps of the Roman Senate.

The senators believed he had become too powerful and, as a result, posed a threat to Roman Republican rule. One of the “offenses” Casear committed was to further change the calendar. While he theoretically redesigned it to match up better with the seasons and moon cycles, it also benefitted him politically.

Why choose March 15th?

According to JSTOR Daily (cited below, and which provides more popularized accounts of academic articles):

“While it’s commonly believed that the date of Caesar’s assassination was one chosen based on expediency and proximity—he would be leaving three days later for a potentially long military campaign against Parthia, and the Senate would meet on the Ides, thus putting Caesar within reach of the conspirators—one scholar argues that the date was also one that held symbolic meaning for Brutus, Cassius and the other assassins, and that the calendar reform may have been a “last straw” for them, symbolizing the rejection of the sacred traditions of Rome, the mos maiorum, not unlike if a US president were to sit during the National Anthem.”

What is the legacy of March 15th, 44 BCE?

Julius Caesar’s assassination was certainly a turning point for Rome and changed its political future. It may remind us that even the most powerful leaders are not invincible. Or that ambition can lead to tragic outcomes. It has long served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of betraying one’s ideals.

You likely know that William Shakespeare immortalized the Ides in his play “Julius Caesar.” It famously warns us to “beware the Ides of March” and the danger they represent.

Of course, depending on how you look at it, the Ides of March can also represent the resilience of the human spirit. After all, despite the tragedy of Caesar’s assassination, Rome continued to grow.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Beware the Ides of March. (But Why?)” — JSTOR Daily

WTF Fun Fact 13281 – Everything You Think Is Wrong Day

In the United States, March 15th is also National Everything You Think is Wrong Day. It’s meant to be a humorous “holiday” that encourages people to question their assumptions and think outside the box.

What’s the history of Everything You Think Is Wrong Day?

National Everything You Think is Wrong Day appears to have been created to encourage people to question their assumptions and challenge their beliefs. Or maybe it’s just an elaborate troll.

Sadly, the origins of National Everything You Think is Wrong Day are unclear. It is believed to have started in the U.S., since that’s where it typically appears on humorous calendars (such as the annual Grumpy Cat calendar). But it appears more countries have picked it up in the last few decades. (That’s a bit ironic since most people tend to believe they’re right all the time these days!)

Believe it or not, the “national day” actually gained popularity back in the 1970s and 1980s. Some believe it was a way to encourage creativity and innovation – more of a “think outside the box” day.

How to “celebrate”

On National Everything You Think is Wrong Day, people are encouraged to take a step back and examine their assumptions and beliefs.

If you want to “celebrate,” ask questions and consider new perspectives, even if they seem unconventional or unpopular. (Just remember, it’s not National Conspiracy Theory Day!)

While this national day seems silly, it has a serious message. It encourages people to question information and opinions and think critically about the world around them. This is something we all try to do, but don’t always have time for when it comes to every little bit of information.

Perhaps you can let this be a reminder that sometimes the most innovative ideas come from thinking differently.

Some people use the day to engage in creative brainstorming sessions. Others use the “holiday” as an opportunity to challenge themselves and try something that they previously thought was impossible.

Maybe you’ve always thought cooking a certain dish was too hard for you, and you can use this day to prove yourself wrong!

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Everything You Think is Wrong Day – March 15th, 2023” — National Today

WTF Fun Fact 13280 – The History of NFL Free Agency

The history of NFL free agency goes back to 1947. The first free agent in NFL history was Charley Trippi. He signed with the Chicago Cardinals in ’47 after his contract with the team expired.

However, free agency as we know it today, with unrestricted players being able to sign with any team, was introduced in 1992. This was only after players sued for the right to choose their own teams as free agents.

The complex history of NFL free agency

According to the Bleach Report (cited below), prior to 1947, a “clause in a player’s contract allowed the team to re-sign him every year to the same contract, meaning that he wasn’t going anywhere unless they traded him or he decided to retire. This was considered acceptable by just about everyone until players started to step forward and demand some sort of role in these transactions.”

Between 1989 and 1992, the NFL instituted a policy called “Plan B.” The decision allowed teams to protect their 37 best players each year.

An 8-woman federal jury found Plan B to be illegal in 1992. This happened after 8 players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. According to a New York Times story after the verdict:

“The players argued that the league’s system of free agency — known as Plan B — constituted a restraint of trade by illegally limiting their ability to earn top salaries comparable with those of players in other pro sports.”

At the time, the NFL vowed to appeal the decision. Furthermore, they claimed that Plan B was essential to maintain a competitive balance between all 28 teams.

The jury awarded no damages to the players who filed the suit. But the judge ordered the NFL to pay their legal fees.

The first unrestricted free agent

The NFL’s first unrestricted free agent was Reggie White. White signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1993. White was a defensive lineman. He spent six seasons with the Packers and helped lead the team to victory in Super Bowl XXXI.

White’s signing as an unrestricted free agent was a landmark moment in NFL history, as it paved the way for other players to enjoy greater freedom and control over their careers. The current free agency system, which allows for unrestricted free agency and limits the use of the franchise tag, was put in place in part because of the lessons learned from White’s signing.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “How Free Agency Changed the NFL Forever” — Bleacher Report