Capital punishment does not measurably deter violent crime — states without the death penalty have lower murder rates.

In Chinese mythology, dragons are benevolent creatures associated with water, rain, and imperial power — opposite to Western dragons.

The longest recorded rally in professional tennis lasted 643 shots in a match in 1984.

The Popol Vuh is the Mayan creation myth — humanity was made from maize after earlier attempts from mud and wood failed.

Extreme sports athlete Travis Pastrana became the first person to land a double backflip on a motorcycle at X Games 2006.

Elvis Presley never wrote any of his own songs.

The Japanese concept of 'Bushido' (way of the warrior) was largely codified in the early 20th century, not feudal Japan.

Bach wrote over 1,000 compositions during his lifetime — many were only rediscovered and published after his death.

Ancient cave artists used perspective, shading, and motion in their paintings — sophisticated techniques rediscovered in the Renaissance.