Charles Dickens published most of his novels in serial form — monthly installments kept readers in suspense.

Alfred Hitchcock never won an Academy Award for directing despite five nominations.

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

Many world mythologies feature a world tree connecting different realms — Yggdrasil in Norse myth, Ashvattha in Hinduism.

Gagaku, Japan's imperial court music, is the world's oldest surviving orchestral tradition, dating to the 7th century.

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

The Tour de France covers approximately 3,500 km over 21 stages and is widely considered the hardest endurance race in sport.

A cricket match at the Test level can last up to 5 days and still end in a draw.

The Mona Lisa has no visible eyebrows — they may have been removed during cleaning, or Leonardo simply left them out.