Welcome to the Mine of Useless Information on Saturday 14 December 2019

A random quote from our archives...

"Each memorable verse of a true poet has two or three times the written content."
Alfred de Musset

...more quotes

A random fact...

In the United States, Delaware, Virginia, and Michigan rank as the top three states for Ritalin use, and most of the prescriptions are for elementary- and middle-school-age children. Doctors in these states prescribe at least 33 grams for every 1,000 residents, 56 percent more than the national average, according to figures compiled by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

...more trivia

Five random people born today...

• Noelle Beck, Baltimore, actress, Trisha-Loving, Fletch Lives (1967)
• Dobri Khristov, composer (1875)
• George Furth, Chicago, Illinois, actor/dir, Tammy, Good Guys, Dumplings (1932)
• Siiri Rantanen, Finland, cross country skier 1956 Olympics gold (1924)
• Charles J Canning, English earl/1st viceroy of British-Indies (1812)

Five random people who died on this day...

• Theo van Rysselberghe, Belgian painter (pointillism), dies at 64 (1926)
• Robert Sutton, electronics engineer, dies at 82 (1997)
• Alan Hargreaves, climber, dies at 92 (1996)
• Jean B A Kessler, director of oil on Dutch Indies, dies at 46 (1900)
• Constantino Gaito, composer, dies at 67 (1945)

Five random things that happened on this day...

• Olivier van Noort sinks Sp galleon San Diego at Bay of Manila, 350 die (1600)
• Israel annexes Golan Heights (seized from Syria in war of 1967) (1981)
• Cleveland Browns beat New York Yankees 14-3 in AAFC championship game (1947)
• Alabama admitted to Union as 22nd state (1819)
• "Rumple" closes at Alvin Theater New York City after 45 performances (1957)

Number One Single this time last year...

UK: -
US: Charts not yet in existence
Australia: Charts not yet in existence

Number One Single five years ago...

UK: -
US: Charts not yet in existence
Australia: Charts not yet in existence

Number One Single ten years ago...

UK: -
US: Charts not yet in existence
Australia: Charts not yet in existence

Number One Single 25 years ago...

UK: East 17 - Stay Another Day
US: Ini Kamoze - Here Comes The Hotstepper
Australia: The Cranberries - Zombie

Number One Single 50 years ago...

UK: Rolf Harris - Two Little Boys
US: Peter, Paul & Mary - Leaving On A Jet Plane
Australia: Roy Orbison - Penny Arcade

...more number one singles