By R.U. Steinberg

MARCH 8, 1999: 

The Babylonian god Marduk died, spent three days in the realm of the dead, defeated chaos, and then came back to life.

In England, garden thievery has grown to such extraordinary proportions that Scotland Yard has officers who specialize in plant theft.

There are about 8,000 toothpick-related injuries every year in the U.S.

According to Governor Tommy Thompson, Wisconsin has distinguished itself as the place where kindergarten, vitamin D, the outboard motor, the automobile, and even the hamburger and malted milkshake were invented.

The Finnish word for vacuum-cleaner bag is "pölypussi."

The above is information which Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine, or the newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got facts? Email Mr. Smarty Pants at mrpants@auschron.com.

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