Have you ever wondered where the superstition that breaking a mirror would bring seven years of bad luck originated? This ancient superstition dates all the way back to Roman times, according to our fun fact about mirror number 8.

The Romans believe that breaking a mirror would harm both your soul and your life, which are renewed every seven years. As a result, seven years of bad luck followed.

With approximately 3,000 paintings, drawings, prints, and other specimens of 19th century ornamental art and design, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, located next to the Town Hall, houses the world's greatest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

Pirates from The Bahamas had their flags custom-made by a sailmaker's widow who accepted brandy as payment, while Blackbeard had his own black flag with a skeleton with horns. The skeleton held an hourglass in one hand and a spear pointing to a heart dripping with three drops of blood in the other.

Probiotics are thought to be responsible for 70–80% of our immune response, according to Casey Adams, Ph.D. Probiotics activate everything from macrophages to T lymphocytes. To help the immune system work together, probiotics also stimulate cytokines and phagocytic cells.

Well, it is in Spain, but not in the Iberian Peninsula. A fun fact about Spain is that the highest mountain in the country is Mount Teide (3718 meters). This mountain is situated in the Canary Islands and is an active volcano. As a consequence of its eruptions, the beaches of the island of Tenerife are of black sand instead of white.

They were created by the Romans very early on using pig fat to celebrate the birth of the goddess Artemis on the sixth day of each lunar month.

Barbie's official birthday commemorates her first public appearance at the American International Toy Fair in New York in 1959. In her black and white striped one-piece, she stood 11 inches tall and was dressed for a pool party. Barbie was instantly recognizable as the only toy in the doll aisle that wasn't modelled after a baby or a small child—having an adult woman as a plaything for children was a novel concept. One thing she lacked at first? A navel button. That was added to her design in 2000, more than 40 years later.

A genome-wide examination of insomnia condition discovered that insomnia was linked to specific genetic variants on chromosomes 7 and 9. Chromosome 7 is discovered near a gene involved in brain development and electrical sleep signaling. Similarly, according to a Sleep Journal study, approximately 35% of patients with insomnia had a familial history of insomnia.

Botox injections block facial muscles, causing wrinkles to vanish. However, scientists have uncovered an intriguing side effect of such injections: the incapacity to completely feel emotion. The emotional state is directly affected by the facial expression, which is why the feelings of individuals who use Botox are not as rich as the emotions of those who do not use Botox.

Many Viking women rose to positions of power and influence as priestesses and oracles in ancient culture. Many became poets, keeping on the oral traditions of the Vikings and passing them on to the next generation. The mythical shieldmaidens, female warriors who battled alongside men on the battlefield, were the most famous Viking ladies. Scholars continue to debate their existence, however, there is evidence from Byzantine Empire documents that they did exist.

This species has a name that reflects its proportions, with wingspreads ranging from four to seven inches. If you've ever encountered one on a hike or in your yard, you may have been taken aback by its beauty. Because of the lengthy tails on this butterfly's hindwings, their swallowtail description is drawn from birds of the same name.

This only lasted until 2007 when the Burj Khalifa was built.

Even though many people play golf to unwind, Disney was unable to handle it. Walt took up golf after quitting polo at his doctor's advice and got up at 4:30 a.m. to squeeze in nine holes before work. He quit the game because it was so frustrating and started playing lawn bowling, which is a more laid-back activity.

The Russian term belukha, which means "white," is where the English name "beluga" is derived. White whales are another name for belugas. Beluga calves are often dark grey upon birth. As they become older, they gradually become lighter, and when they're fully grown, they develop the white colouring that adult belugas have. Because of their white colouring, belugas may hide from predators in the icebergs and ice floes of northern seas.

Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, observed that "likes tend towards likes" as early as 391 BC. As you may be aware, this is very similar to the adage "like attracts like." That is the main lesson of the Law of Attraction.

Wearing moonstone is thought to work as a talisman for travellers, allowing them to have a safe voyage without any losses or mishaps.

In 2011, a hiring manager for a Chinese language training company included in a job listing that candidates who were Virgos or Scorpios need not apply. Obviously, there was a backlash to the discriminatory policy, but the hiring manager doubled down to a local newspaper, claiming that she was counting those signs out because they have a tendency to be "feisty and critical."

While Bulgaria is the oldest European country by name, the Republic of San Marino, an autonomous state inside Italy's borders, is Europe's oldest independent state. It was born in the year 301 AD. As other Italian republics fought and collectively became part of Italy, San Marino was able to maintain its independence for centuries, thanks in large part to its steep geography.

The 350 GTV was the world's first Lambo, and it eventually led to the formation of the supercar genre, but it wasn't even done when it was originally exhibited at the Turin Auto Show, so they put a load of bricks where the engine should have been and kept the hood sealed the entire time.

A goat herder in Ethiopia is said to have discovered coffee in the 1500s. He noticed his goats munching on coffee cherries. He noticed a change in their behaviour after that; they gained a lot of energy and didn't sleep at night. The herder informed the local monks of his findings. They realised they could stay up all night praying after making their own drink from coffee beans. The news quickly spread to other Ethiopian monks and then to the rest of the civilised world.

The Swedish people are big recyclers. Only 1% of garbage is thrown away, with 50% recycled or composted and 49% burnt for electricity. This may sound like good news, but it has resulted in one major issue: there isn't enough rubbish to keep the incinerators going. As a result, Sweden has devised an innovative solution. To keep the lights on, they import garbage from Norway and the United Kingdom. As an added plus, the nations actually pay Sweden to remove their rubbish!

Good karma is thought to be bestowed upon those who do good in their lives. Every good or bad action in life affects karma, and Hindus believe that if you have good karma at the end of this life, your next life will be better.

Experts believe the Portland Vase was created in Rome between AD 5 and AD 25. The Vase is currently housed in the British Museum and has been there for over 200 years.