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  Constitutional Merits and Congressional Acts The right to privacy is the time-travel paradox of constitutional law: Even though it didn’t exist as a constitutional doctrine until 1961 and didn’t form the basis of a Supreme Court ruling until 1965, it is, in some respects, the oldest constitutional right. This assertion that we have “the…

  Bananas are a sensitive bunch. Though they can withstand peeling, slicing, chipping, and frying, age is not so kind to them. At one time or another, nearly everyone has peeled back the skin of a banana to discover a mushy brown spot inside. But what makes good bananas go bad? In order to understand banana bruising, let’s take a peek at the banana‘s ripening process.…

  Be it a voyage on a steam liner, a camel caravan through the desert, or a summer road trip in a minivan, there is one question passengers have been asking for as long as they’ve been along for the ride: are we there yet? But getting from here to there wasn’t always easy as it is today. In a time before…

  Did you know that in English, twelve is the largest number that has just one syllable? Twelve is my lucky number, before writing these facts for you all to read, I really had no idea on how amazing this number actually is! So, check out these random facts about the number 12! There are…

  What qualities do you look for in a leader? Fairness? Intelligence? How about creativity? Communication skills? These are all important traits for a leader. Many people would add honesty to the list. Then what should you do when a leader isn’t fair or honest? You might say, “Find a new leader, of course!” But it isn’t…

  Would you like to be a queen? Or a king? What do you think it would be like? You might imagine having servants at your beck and call. You would have access to just about anything you wanted. Would you dine on the best food? Relax in the greatest luxury? Well, maybe. If you look at history,…

  Skip to content Did you know that ice hockey pucks used to be made out of cow dung? People of all ages love the fast-paced action of ice hockey. While you may already know some basics about playing the sport, you’ll be surprised at some of these weird and interesting facts about the game.…

  Have you ever strummed the strings of a guitar? Do you often hum a tune or beat a rhythm? If so, you know what a joy it can be to make music. Music helps people express emotions, connect with others, and just have fun. Many even believe that making music improves brain function. And there are…

  Why settle for a boring lettuce salad or the same ol’ side dish when you could forage for a delicacy that might be growing right in your yard? Hostas, those versatile shade-loving plants that are part-and-parcel of urban and suburban landscapes alike, are actually edible. And not in a post-apocalyptic-we-have-to-survive way. Hostas are a delicacy that…

  If you’ve been WONDERing with us for a while, then you probably already know about the world’s largest cave. You may have learned all about the largest jungle. You might even know about the largest pile of trash! But Wonders don’t always have to be large. In fact, we think some of the most WONDERful things in…

  Imagine you’re on a scenic drive through the desert with your family. Prickly cacti, twisted trees, and howling coyotes flash by along the road. It’s late, and you feel as if you’re falling asleep when—what’s that? Do you see them? Right there! A handful of floating orbs of light, far out in the desert. You blink a few…

  Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom of the press. These may sound familiar—they’re rights given to many people across the globe. In the U.S., they’re protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. As a kid, though, you may have WONDERed . . . do these rights belong to you, too? The answer is…

  A full moon is an unmistakable celestial event that basks Earth with its lunar glow, inspiring songwriters, scientists, and the occasional werewolf rampage. Throughout human history, moon phases have signaled changes in seasons and marked important cultural transitions, such planting or hunting, all reasons that people took to inventing monikers for each full moon. Ancient full moon…

  Did you know that in Australia, most movie premiers are often held on a Thursday? Thursday is sometimes referred to as “Friday’s Friday,” meaning it’s the herald of Friday, and therefore the weekend. Many students call Thursdays ‘Thirsty Thursdays” due to a decreasing number of lessons students have on a Friday making it the…

  What one thing could you never live without? Your favorite video game? Maybe a book you like or your favorite food? Sure, life would be a lot less enjoyable without those things. But people could certainly live without them, as long as their basic needs are met. Basic needs are things that people can’t live without. They include…

  Do you love reading about the adventures of the X-Men? How about Superman? Maybe Scott Pilgrim is more your style. If any of these stories are familiar, you’ve likely been reading one of the most popular types of books around—comic books! For many, though, just reading comic books isn’t enough. Do you ever dream…

  They buzz. They pollinate. They crown a queen. Sometimes they sting! Yes, bees are some of the most interesting little creatures around. And, perhaps best of all, they make the sweet, delicious substance called honey. Have you ever spread honey on toast? Maybe you mix it into a cup of tea or put it in your cereal. Most people agree…

    Elizabeth Proctor was convicted in the 1692 Salem witch trial. While her husband was executed, she escaped execution because she was pregnant at the time she would have been hanged. Age at time of Salem witch trials: About 40 Dates: 1652 to Unknown Also known as: Goody Proctor   Before the Salem Witch Trials Elizabeth Proctor was…

  Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of resources among diverse members of a community. The principle says that every person should have or have access to approximately the same level of material goods and services. In contrast to the principle of due process, which is concerned with the equal administration of procedural and substantive law, distributive…

  Can you name the continents of the world? You may have learned them in school. Some kids even sing a song about their names. Can you help us name them all? There’s North America, South America, and Africa. We know Asia, Australia, and Europe. What’s the last one? Oh yeah—Antarctica! But there may be a continent…

  Some of them are permanent. Others can be wiped or washed away. They come in every color—and sometimes everyscent—imaginable. And some of them are even magic! That’s right, today’s Wonder of the Day is about one of the most popular art and office supplies around—the marker. If you’re like many kids, you’ve probably been around your…

  Many Wonder Friends know about the Tasmanian devil. But there are many other interesting animals in Tasmania. The island is also home to wombats and emus. And today’s Wonder of the Day may still live there, too. That’s right! Today, we’re talking about thylacines! Thylacines are also known as Tasmanian tigers or Tasmanian wolves. They were…

  If you’ve been WONDERing with us for a while, you might be pretty good at reading secret messages. But even the most experienced decoders are stumped by the topic of today’s Wonder of the Day. What are we talking about? The Voynich Manuscript! Experts think the Voynich Manuscript was written in the 15th Century. Who wrote it?…

    Do you like rainy days? They’re great for staying in with a board game or a good book. For many, the best part of a rainstorm is what sometimes comes after. Have you ever looked up to the sky after heavy rain and seen a bright, colorful rainbow? If you’ve been WONDERing with us…

  Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was born in Northern France on August 1, 1744. He was the youngest of eleven children born to Philippe Jacques de Monet de La Marck and Marie-Françoise de Fontaines de Chuignolles, a noble but not rich family. Most men in Lamarck’s family went into the military, including his father and older brothers.…

  Do you ever daydream about the future? What might the world be like in a few decades? Could there be cars without drivers? Trucks that fly? Boats driving on land and water? You may already know about self-driving cars and hovercrafts. But what about hoverboards? Picture it: You’re flying down the sidewalk on an object that looks like…

  Procedural law and substantive law are the two primary categories of law in the dual U.S. court system. When it comes to criminal justice, these two types of law play different but essential roles in protecting the rights of individuals in the United States. Terms Procedural law is the set of rules by which courts in…

  The hardest thing about advocating reform of racial profiling practices, at a policy level, is convincing political leaders that it isn’t just a “politically incorrect” or “racially insensitive” practice, but rather a destructive, ill-conceived, and ultimately ineffective law enforcement technique. This means looking hard at what racial profiling does, what it doesn’t do, and what…

  Can Police Officers Use GPS to Track a Vehicle? In United States v. Jones (2012) the U.S. Supreme Court found that attaching a GPS tracker to a private vehicle constituted an illegal search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Fast Facts: United States v. Jones Case Argued: November 8, 2011 Decision Issued: January 23, 2012 Petitioner: Michael…

  One of the oddest monuments in America is the Boot Monument in Saratoga National Park in New York, which commemorates a “most brilliant soldier” on the American side in the revoution, who was wounded and nearly lost his leg as he led troops in the defeat of the British in the Battle of Saratoga in…

  INTERESTING FACTS Capital: Denver Population: 5,355,866 Demonym: Coloradoan/Coloradan Highest Point: Mount Elbert (14,400 ft) Lowest Point: Arikaree River (3,717 ft) State Bird: Lark Bunting Climate: Complex – mountain climate with extremes of temperature in mountainous regions Lakes: Over 2,000 natural lakes, reservoirs and rivers Mountains: 55 summits that are over 1,640 ft above sea level Motto: Nil Sine Numine (Nothing without providence) There…

  Billionaire business owner Mark Cuban is on a mission to “disrupt” the pharmaceutical industry and sell low-cost prescription drugs directly to Americans. His startup venture, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, is offering steeply discounted prices on hundreds of generic prescription drugs. Some of the potential savings are staggering. A generic leukemia drug called Imatinib currently retails…

  The irresistible combination of a thick hunk of battered cod resting atop a mound of steaming hot chips (known as french fries in America) is the quintessential British comfort food. Whether eaten on a plastic lap tray in front of the “telly,” or gobbled down from a makeshift paper cone on the way home from the…

  Fact or fiction – does running increase testosterone? We speak to the experts to find out. Its physical and mental health benefits are well documented, but does running increase testosterone levels? Higher testosterone levels are associated with a plethora of health benefits including boosted bone density, increased muscle growth and improved mood, so it’s…

  White is normally associated with purity. This is why we see brides wearing white gowns because it conveys the sanctity of marriage. White also has positive meanings including cleanliness and safety. This is why hospitals, kitchens, and other rooms in your house you want cozy are painted white. Painters are usually seen sporting a…

The answer may surprise you. When we were younger, we blindly accepted the lesson that you should never shower during a thunderstorm. Our rationale was simple: storms and lightning are dangerous, and so we should abide by all safety precautions to escape potential electrocution. Looking back, it may seem silly that we were ever so scared…

  These five prebiotic foods can be found in most kitchens and will help your gut bacteria to thrive A balanced diet is essential for good health, so prebiotic foods are important. What we eat not only has a direct impact on our body, it also makes a big difference to the countless microbes that reside in…

  Find out how Earth formed, what it’s made of and more. Earth is our home planet, the only place in the universe where we know for certain that life exists. Earth formed over 4.6 billion years ago from a swirling cloud of gas and dust that gave rise to our entire solar system, including our…

  Spruce up your garden with these bright flowers. Sunflowers are easy and fun flowers to plant, and they’ll bring bees and songbirds to your garden. Plus, you can later harvest and roast the seeds from the heads, or cut the flowers to create beautiful bouquets for your home. Sunflowers thrive best during long, hot…

  What would the end of Roe v. Wade mean for women’s health, civil rights, and American politics? The Reader’s Digest Version:  A leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court revealed that it may overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion decisions to individual states. Roe v. Wade gave women the constitutional right to abortion based on the concept…

  We all know that protein can help to support an active lifestyle, but how does protein give you energy? How does protein give you energy? If you’ve ever finished a tough workout and felt completely drained, like your muscles have turned to jelly and the steps leading to your front door look like Mount…

  INTERESTING FACTS Population: 742,452,000 Area: 3,930,000 square miles Largest Country: Russia Smallest Country: Vatican City rgest City: Istanbul Highest Point: Mount Elbrus, 18,510 feet above sea level Lowest Point: Caspian Sea, 92 feet below sea level Popular Countries: France, Spain, Italy, UK, Germany Popular Cities: Paris, Barcelona, Rome, London, Berlin Religions: Christianity, Islam Europe…

  INTERESTING FACTS Capital: Dover Largest City: Wilmington Area: 1,982 square miles Highest Point: Ebright, Azimuth (447 feet) Lowest Point: At the Atlantic Ocean (sea level) Abbreviation: DE or Del State Bird: Delaware Blue Hen Population: 935,614 Demonym: Delawarean Motto: “Liberty and Independence” Delaware Is One of the Narrowest States in the USA Delaware Map The first of our interesting Delaware facts centres on its…

  Not everybody agrees on what constitutes a weed, but it’s generally agreed to be a plant that people don’t want around. Some people love thistles and dandelions, while others can’t abide them in their yards. Sandspurs, though, are pretty universally reviled — nobody likes a grass that bites. Grown men and children alike have been known to…

  You and your home will stay bug free with these tips. Next time you reach for the mosquito repellent, consider these natural ways to keep outdoor bugs at bay. 1. Natural mint mouthwash spray Insects do not like the smell of mint in any form. Transfer your favorite natural mint mouthwash into a spray…

  The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. Its decisions set precedents that all other courts then follow, and no lower court can ever supersede a Supreme Court decision. In fact, not even Congress or the president can change, reject or ignore a Supreme Court decision. American law operates under the doctrine…

Discover how to improve your mood with these ways of lifting your spirits If you’ve been wondering how to improve your mood, rest assured, you’re not alone. While all of us can experience bad days from time to time when we feel upset, sad or disheartened, for some of us, it can be more long…

  In today’s world, we take animal domestication for granted. But from meat and dairy products to faithful companionship, domesticated animals have provided us innumerable products, services and hours of labor that have had profound effect on the history of humanity. At first, humans used animals merely for food. But eventually, we began to catch on…

  What Happens When You Touch Mercury Metal Mercury is a heavy, liquid metal once common in thermometers and other equipment. Have you ever touched mercury or been exposed to it? Were you fine or did you experience symptoms or exposure? Did you shrug it off or seek medical attention? Here are responses from readers: Info Is Exaggerated Mercury does not absorb…