If you really think back to everything you learned as a kid, you'll probably realize how inaccurate a lot of the stuff was. Whether it was taught directly in the classroom or told by your parents, much of what we've always assumed as common knowledge is flawed. Like the whole Thanksgiving thing, obviously, plus a list of other lies many of us have believed our whole lives. Prepare to be surprised by the 35 false facts ahead.
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Fortune cookies were an American invention, not Chinese. There are debates about who was the originator, however. One well-known version is a Chinese immigrant living in Los Angeles created the cookie, while another claims that a Japanese immigrant started it in San Francisco. Regardless, it was made in California.
The Coriolis effect of direction changing on either side of the equator is indeed a real thing. It's the very reason cyclones spin differently in the northern and southern hemisphere. But it's way too small to be noticed in a sink or toilet.
We've had an interesting relationship with Pluto over the years, from the ninth rock from the sun to not being a part of the solar system altogether. Although the small planet was reclassified in 2006 as a dwarf planet, it's still technically a planet nonetheless.
There are several flaws in this story, one being that Ben's discovery occurred when he was flying a kite with a key tied. The founding father was already interested in electricity before even conducting the famous experiment that many others tried first. Some historians are skeptical as to if the kite thing even happened at all based on his vague reports. But regardless, Ben's hypothesis sparked curiosity (no pun intended) and encouraged others to confirm it themselves.
The North Star, aka Polaris, is actually 46th in brightness. But it is the closest brightest star to the north celestial pole.
