Islam has five pillars: faith, prayer five times daily, charitable giving, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Maori of New Zealand use a rich oral tradition called 'kōrero' to preserve history and genealogy.

The Vikings used to give kittens to new brides as essential household gifts.

More people in the world have access to a mobile phone than to a toilet.

The Epic of Gilgamesh contains a flood narrative strikingly similar to the biblical story of Noah.

Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympians in history.

Synchronized skating — where teams of up to 20 skaters perform together — is a competitive discipline not yet in the Olympics.

Chocolate was once used as currency by the ancient Aztecs.

The color red has been used in art and ritual for over 75,000 years, as evidenced by ochre pigments found in South African caves.