From Disney to Dogs: Unexpected True Stories

A Missing Dash That Cost Millions

In 1962, a U.S. missile exploded shortly after launch because a programmer left out just one tiny dash in the code. That small mistake ended up costing NASA what would be $630 million today.

Disneyland and the Wheelchair Loophole

For years, Disneyland let guests with disabilities skip the long lines and they could bring up to six people with them. Sadly, this led to a black market where wealthy visitors paid people in wheelchairs to pretend to be their guests.

Dogs Can Smell Without Losing the Scent

Dogs have special grooves on the sides of their noses. These let them breathe out without blowing away the scent they’re tracking. That’s part of what makes their sense of smell so amazing.

Rescue Dogs Felt Sad at Ground Zero

After the Twin Towers fell on 9/11, rescue dogs searched for survivors. But when they only found bodies, many of the dogs showed signs of sadness and depression. They were trained to help but there was so little they could do.

When Blood Alcohol Hits 1%

In all of medical history, only 11 people have ever had blood alcohol levels over one percent. Five of those cases happened in the same country, Poland.

The Hidden Side of Paris’ Liberation

When Paris was freed from Nazi control during World War II, American and British leaders didn’t want any Black soldiers in the photos. Even though only 40% of the French army was white, they replaced Black soldiers in the parading units so that only white soldiers were seen.

Jerusalem Has Faced Many Battles

Throughout its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and either captured or liberated 44 times. It’s truly a city with a powerful and complicated past.