Hoppin’ John is a rice and bean dish popular in Africa, the Caribbean, and the southeastern US. It’s made with white rice, black-eyed peas, onions, and salted pork. Variations include different beans and meats. It’s eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck and prosperity. Its origin is uncertain, but it’s believed to have originated […]
Pope John XX was a numbering error in the 11th century, with Pope John XV being mistakenly numbered as Pope John XVI. The error was later corrected, but some historical sources remain incorrect. There have only been 15 valid Pope Johns since the 16th century. Pope John XX (Pope John XX) does not actually exist. […]
John Marshall was the longest serving Chief Justice of the United States, from 1801 until his death in 1835. He issued important decisions, including Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland, which increased federal government power. Marshall had little formal education and fought in the American Revolutionary War before studying law and becoming a leading […]
John Williams, famous for scoring Star Wars, has never watched any of the films in full. He avoids listening to his music again after spending months writing, editing, and recording. Williams compares his job to being a father, always noticing things he could have done differently. He has won numerous Oscars for his work, including […]
The Sir John Soane Museum in London is dedicated to the life and work of English architect Sir John Soane, known for his neoclassical style. The museum’s collection includes architectural drawings, sculptures, paintings, and antiquities. Established in 1833, the museum was founded by Parliament to prevent Soane’s estranged son from inheriting his estate. The museum […]
John Nash was a mathematical genius born in Bluefield, West Virginia in 1928. He struggled with schizophrenia, which was depicted in the movie A Beautiful Mind. Nash was a curious child who read encyclopedias and conducted experiments. He studied at Carnegie Institute of Technology, where he became interested in game theory and eventually won a […]
John Deere invented the plow in 1837 and by 1852, his company was producing 4,000 plows annually. The company moved to Illinois and began producing tractors in 1918. Today, antique John Deere tractors are highly valued by enthusiasts. Antique John Deere tractors are named after their inventor, Mr. John Deere. He was born in Rutland, […]
John Waters is a well-known American film director, actor, writer, and artist who produced a string of independent films in the 1970s, gaining national attention as the king of transgressive cult films. He is also an art collector with a diverse range of interests and continues to produce cutting-edge and controversial work. As a familiar […]
John Irving is a novelist known for multi-generational family epics with themes of wrestling, bears, and Vienna. His fourth novel, The World According to Garp, was a commercial success and adapted into a film. Irving’s later novels sold well but received less critical praise. He also writes autobiographical essays and lives in Vermont. John Irving […]
Elton John is a successful singer and pianist who has sold over 250 million albums and has 50 songs in the Top 40 charts. He was born Reginald Dwight in 1947 and changed his name to Elton John in 1967 after meeting lyricist Bernie Taupin. His first hit was “Your Song” in 1970 and he […]
John von Neumann was a Hungarian mathematician who made significant contributions to various fields, including computer science, game theory, and economics. He spent most of his career at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, where he was one of the original faculty. He built the first digital electronic computer and founded the field […]
John Newton, author of “Amazing Grace,” had a paradoxical life. He was born in 1725 and sailed with his father as a young man. He was forced into naval service and served on a slave ship, where he converted to Christianity. He continued to work on slavers and eventually became a captain. After retiring, he […]
“John Doe” is a name used for unidentified or anonymous persons since 13th century England. It is also used to protect identities in legal proceedings and as a placeholder name. Its counterparts are Jane and BaDoe. The use of “John Doe” as a name for anonymous or unidentified persons dates back to 13th century England, […]
John Tyler was the 10th US president, the first to assume office from the vice presidency and the first born after the Constitution was drafted. He had a long political career, was a Whig but never fully committed to the party, and vetoed two major Whig bills. Tyler initiated the process that would have made […]
John Hancock was an early American politician and the first to sign the United States Declaration of Independence, leading to the phrase “give your John Hancock.” The document affirmed the US’s independence from England and was signed by 56 dignitaries, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Hancock’s signature was larger and more ornate, intentionally sending […]
John Quincy Adams, the sixth US president, was born in Massachusetts in 1767. He was educated in Europe and served as a diplomat in various countries. He was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate and later to the US Senate, where he broke with the Federalist Party and became a Republican. He served as minister […]
John Reed was a revolutionary journalist and writer who covered the Mexican Revolution and the Russian Revolution of 1917. He wrote Ten Days That Shook The World and was a close friend of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin. Reed died in Moscow in 1920 and is the only American buried in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis. Before […]
Chicken John Rinaldi, a well-known showman in the San Francisco Bay area, has had a varied career owning nightclubs and performing with punk rock bands. He has announced his candidacy for the 2007 San Francisco Mayoral Race with goals of establishing himself as a runner-up and promoting alternative fuel options. Chicken John Rinaldi is a […]
John Joseph Pershing was a highly decorated US Army general known for leading the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War I. He rose through the ranks quickly and was criticized for his brash leadership style, but still earned admiration and the rank of general. He continued to play an active role in military strategy and […]
John Lasseter, the business genius behind Pixar, developed a new animation process using computers resulting in successful films such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo. He was inspired by special effects and animation growing up and worked for Disney before joining Lucasfilms’ Industrial Light and Magic. Pixar’s first releases were short films, followed by Toy […]
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