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23 results for "superstitions"
Ancient maritime taboos like "no whistling" and "no bananas" sound silly today, but historians are discovering these strange rules actually helped sailors survive dangerous voyages through clever psychology and practical safety measures.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh broke a 38-at-bat hitless streak using an unusual method: showering in his full uniform. The superstition worked, and the slugger who hit 60 home runs last season is back on track.
Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory kept a 60-year-old tradition alive before the historic Artemis II moon mission launched in April 2026. A simple container of peanuts connected decades of space exploration through one delicious superstition.
Thailand's Princess Bajrakitiyabha surprised classmates in 1997 by joining orientation activities, sharing snacks, and graduating with honors while balancing royal duties. Her approachable spirit and dedication to justice left a lasting mark on fellow students.
Over 7,600 Ugandan children with clubfoot have walked normally again since 2019, proving a treatable medical condition isn't caused by witchcraft. Health officials are fighting dangerous myths to save more children from unnecessary disability.
American speedskater Jordan Stolz shattered an Olympic record to win gold in the 1,000-meter event, wearing the same blades he used to set the world record. The 20-year-old saved his lucky equipment specifically for this Olympic moment.
The infamous bus route 666 from Kraków to the Baltic town of Hel is back on the road after religious groups forced a name change in 2023. FlixBus revived the cult-favorite route, turning a quirky number into a tourism magnet.
A foundation in India is turning donated human hair into oil-absorbing mats that clean polluted waterways. The mats have already reduced toxic pollution levels by 40% in canals flowing into the Yamuna River.
A Lagos magician just shattered a 21-year-old world record by performing magic for 50 straight hours, completing over 1,200 unique tricks. Ibitoye Kingfahd's incredible feat isn't just about endurance; it's redefining how Africa sees magic as an art form.
Team Italy brings an espresso machine to every baseball game, brewing shots for players who hit home runs. The delicious tradition has helped them start 2-0 in the World Baseball Classic.
The New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in a historic finals run that united an entire city. Jalen Brunson led the team to victory, ending over five decades of heartbreak for one of basketball's most passionate fanbases.
When COVID shut down schools in remote West Bengal, homemaker Malati Murmu opened her doors and started teaching. Today, 45 first-generation learners gather daily in her mud classroom.
Four-time Paralympic medalist Brenna Huckaby heads to Milano Cortina 2026 with lucky socks, face cream, and a perspective that puts family first. Her pre-race rituals and travel essentials reveal how champions stay grounded under pressure.
Shohei Ohtani broke out of his early season slump with a three-run homer that sparked the Dodgers to a 13-6 victory and awakened their struggling offense. The blast triggered a five-home run explosion from a lineup that had been searching for its rhythm through the first week of the season.
When Braydon Dewey proposed to Destiny Fajen in front of her entire family, his nerves got the best of him in the most unexpected way. The hilariously wholesome moment captured on camera has now warmed millions of hearts online.
Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto ditched his J-pop walk-up song for Ella Langley's country hit "Choosin' Texas" and immediately started crushing at the plate. The switch shows how the shy newcomer is opening up and having fun with his Toronto teammates.
For the first time since Apollo 13's famous mishap 56 years ago, NASA is launching a mission numbered 13. The four astronauts heading to space this September are celebrating the number with a mission patch honoring the 1970 crew.
In China, people pour leftover herbal medicine onto streets so others can walk over it, believing it spreads healing. The custom traces back 1,400 years to a legendary physician who turned discarded remedies into community wellness.
After 40 years of stigma and rejection, a polio survivor transforms his painful past into a powerful voice for disability rights in Nigeria. His journey from rejected schoolboy to university lecturer shows how one person can challenge a nation's misconceptions.
Sammy Samaila has never eaten solid food in his 21 years, yet he's excelling as a final-year sociology student at Gombe State University. His story of resilience challenges what we think we know about human adaptation.
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