By R.U. Steinberg

SEPTEMBER 20, 1999: 

The Roman emperor Elagabalus (219-222) was fond of playing jokes with whoopee cushions.

Three pairs of the United States are adjacent both alphabetically and geographically. There's Florida/Georgia and Illinois/Indiana. The third is in the middle of Lake Superior between Isle Royale National Park, Michigan and Grand Portage, Minnesota.

The bill of the Californian acorn woodpecker strikes trees at 12-15 mph.

In the 15th Century, there were so many golf balls flying around the fields around St. Andrews, Scotland, that King James II briefly banned the game on Sundays because his archers could not practice.

Lily Tomlin was once a cheerleader.

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

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