Wikipedia:Did you know/Statistics

Did you know?
Introduction and rules
Introduction	WP:DYK
General discussion	WT:DYK
Guidelines	WP:DYKCRIT
Reviewer instructions	WP:DYKRI
Nominations
Nominate an article	WP:DYKCNN
Awaiting approval	WP:DYKN
Approved	WP:DYKNA
April 1 hooks	WP:DYKAPRIL
Preparation
Preps and queues	T:DYK/Q
Prepper instructions	WP:DYKPBI
Admin instructions	WP:DYKAI
Main Page errors	WP:ERRORS
History
Statistics	WP:DYKSTATS
Archived sets	WP:DYKA
Just for fun
Monthly wraps	WP:DYKW
Awards	WP:DYKAWARDS
Userboxes	WP:DYKUBX
Hall of Fame	WP:DYK/HoF
List of users ...
... by nominations	WP:DYKNC
... by promotions	WP:DYKPC
Administrative
Scripts and bots	WP:DYKSB
On the Main Page	T:DYK
WP:Errors	WP:Errors
To ping the DYK admins	{{DYK admins}}

This Did you know statistics (DYK STATS) page is an attempt to recognize the DYK entries that have distinguished themselves, either by receiving an unusually high number of page views while being featured on DYK, or by going on to become some of Wikipedia's best content after appearing at DYK. The page illustrates the types of hooks that have been particularly successful in attracting readers. The statistics are manually updated.

For page view counts, there are separate lists for the all-time top hooks and the most effective hooks on a monthly basis. If you have thoughts on the format of this page, or whether it is useful, please post your comments on the Discussion page.

See also:

• DYK Hall of Fame – for outstanding contributions to the DYK project as a whole;
• List of Wikipedians by number of DYKs – for lists of users who have created or nominated the greatest number of DYK articles.

Please do not see this list as a competition, but rather a celebration of some of the most effective DYK hooks.

Good and Featured DYKs

Good/featured content from DYK

Status	Number of articles
Featured article	2,383
Featured list	895
Good article	8,049
These may be slight underestimates (learn more) refresh this table

Some articles that were featured on DYK have gone on to become some of Wikipedia's featured or good content, in the form of featured articles, featured lists, or good articles. This table records the number of former DYK articles that are currently listed as good or featured content.

Most-viewed DYKs

This section details all the most-viewed DYKs from the beginning of the available data - December 2007. Unfortunately the articles that appeared in the DYK section before that date do not have page view information and cannot be included.

Rules

1. The statistics are based on Henrik's page view tool at http://stats.grok.se/. For more information on this tool, see http://stats.grok.se/about and stats FAQ. Please note that at some point since December 2013 this tool began compiling days using a 23:00 to 22:59 (UTC) time range to match the range that wikiviewstats uses rather than the 00:00 to 23:59 (UTC) time range that it had previously used. Also, note that these statistics ignore mobile viewers. For queries, go to Henrik's talk page – missing stats are often the result of the tool being down or missing source files. Normally, you should count page views only for the day X when the article was featured. Because of the timing of the stats collection, nearly all hooks which exit the main page around 00:00 UTC get extra DYK views on the next day X+1; in this case views for two consecutive days (X and X+1) should be summed.
2. The views are counted and summed for all articles which were bolded (not merely linked) in the hook. If one or more bolded articles were moved while on the main page, add views for the main article(s) and the redirect page(s).
3. This page aims to list the views originating from the DYK section of the main page. Some articles draw additional views unrelated to DYK. Those views are removed by subtracting a half sum on the days before and after, that is V_X − (V_X−1 + V_X+1) / 2. Example [1] V_X=18,400; V_X−1=4,400; V_X+1=2,000; total=18,400−(4,400+2,000)/2=15,200.
4. Subject to rule 3, any article receiving at least 5,000 views (after subtracting background views) is eligible for listing on the "STATS" page. If you know of an article that has received more than 5,000 views while on DYK, feel free to add it to the list.
5. Anyone is free to help by checking page views and listing hooks here that meet the requirements. Help is also welcome reviewing page views for earlier months where data is waiting to be mined (Jan–May 2008).

All-time DYK page view leaders

Lead hooks with at least 25,000 views

• Note: "Views / hour" = "DYK views" divided by the number of hours on the Main page (6, 8 or 12)

Article (DYK date)	Image	DYK views	Views / hour	DYK hook
Infant swimming (Sep. 22, 2014)		295,306	24,609	... that babies will instinctively hold their breath underwater (pictured) until the age of six months?
Silver Cross Tavern (Jan. 29, 2014)		192,578	16,048	... that the Silver Cross Tavern (pictured) is the United Kingdom's only legal brothel?
War Doctor, Night of the Doctor (Nov. 23, 2013)		36,360 + 52,209 - (12599 + 23723 / 2) + 22,061 27,032 -(10,695 + 13070 / 2) = 107,618	13,886	... that the War Doctor (played by John Hurt, pictured), introduced in "The Night of the Doctor", will be a "dark doctor" who will "bring an ancient battle to its devastating conclusion"?
Paul the Octopus (Jul. 11, 2010)		152,200 – (145,772 / 2) = 79,320 + 18,448 - (9,632 / 2) = 13,632 = 92,952	15,492	... that Paul the Octopus (pictured) predicts Spain winning the World Cup today, while Mani the Parakeet tips a victory by the Netherlands?
HMS Highlander (H44) (Dec. 21, 2011)		77,346	9,668	... that the British destroyer HMS Highlander (pictured) escorted Convoy SC 122 through the largest convoy battle of World War II in March 1943 and was unsuccessfully attacked by U-441 and U-608?
Anthony Davis (basketball) (Apr. 3, 2012)		94,410 – (19,472 + 15,379) / 2 = 76,984	9,623	... that 2012 National Player of the Year Anthony Davis (pictured) was unknown locally and nationally through his junior year of high school basketball?
Clinton Romesha (Feb. 11, 2013)		35,581 + 47,595 - (10,312 - 1,140/2) = 73,434	8,955	... that Clinton Romesha (pictured), who today is being awarded the Medal of Honor, joined the United States Army after deciding not to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Eternal Silence (sculpture) (Oct. 31, 2011)		71,800	5,983	... that according to folklore, people looking into the eyes of Eternal Silence (pictured) will see a vision of their own death?
Ivan Castro (soldier) (Dec. 8, 2008)		71,300	5,941	... that Captain Ivan Castro is the only blind officer serving in the United States Army Special Forces?
Leroy Petry (Jul. 12, 2011)		66,900 - (925 + 5,100) / 2 = 63,900	7,987	... that Leroy Petry (pictured) is receiving the U.S. Medal of Honor today, marking only the second time that the award has been bestowed upon a living soldier for actions after the end of the Vietnam War?
Operation Overlord (Jun. 6, 2014)		55627 + 13411 - (11519 + 6611) / 2 = 59,973	4,916	... that Operation Overlord (detail pictured), the Allied invasion of Normandy in World War II, was the largest seaborne invasion in history?
Statue of Tara (Dec. 11, 2013)		41,411 + 12,377 = 53,789	4,482	... that the Statue of Tara from Sri Lanka (partly pictured) was kept hidden for 30 years in the British Museum because it was considered too erotic?
Hallucinogenic fish (Nov. 15, 2011)		11,483 + 41,786 - (0 + 1,218) / 2 = 52,660	6,582	... that Sarpa salpa (pictured) is a hallucinogenic fish that was used as a recreational drug during the Roman Empire?
Fortress of Mimoyecques (Jun. 29, 2011)		51,700	8,616	... that the underground Fortress of Mimoyecques (pictured) was built by Nazi Germany to bombard London with 10 shells a minute using the V-3 supergun?
Leonard Siffleet (May 8, 2009)		49,500		... that Sergeant Len Siffleet was the subject of a famous photograph (pictured) depicting an execution by the Japanese in World War II?
Śmigus-Dyngus (Apr. 1, 2013)		47,095	5,886	... that Polish girls (pictured) are getting wet and spanked today, but will have their revenge tomorrow?
Giovanni de Ventura plague doctor beak doctor costume plague doctor contract (Oct. 31, 2010)		7,600 + 1,600 + 6,400 + 1, 700 + 17,800 + 5,000 + 3,700 + 865 = 44, 665		... that Giovanni de Ventura, a plague doctor who may have worn a beak doctor costume (pictured), was restricted by a covenant to treat only infectious patients?
Longest recorded sniper kills (May 8, 2010)		44,600		... that the longest recorded sniper kill is from 2,475 m (8,120 ft) using a L115A3 Long Range Rifle (pictured)?
Battle for Castle Itter (Jul. 26, 2013)		42,120		... that what has been called the strangest battle of World War II was fought at a medieval castle (pictured), and was the only battle of the war in which American and German soldiers fought as allies?
MagiCans (Apr, 22, 2013)		38,970 + 1,790 = 40,660 (article moved)	5,083	... that defects in Coca-Cola's MagiCans (pictured) led a child to mistakenly drink foul-tasting liquid used to replace actual cola?
Bacon Explosion (Feb. 6, 2009)		40,500		... that the 5,000-calorie Bacon Explosion (pictured) was created in response to a Twitter challenge to develop "the ultimate bacon recipe"?
Saxbe fix (Nov. 29, 2008)		39,600		... that Hillary Rodham Clinton (pictured) may be ineligible for appointment as United States Secretary of State by Barack Obama unless a Saxbe fix can be worked out?
Slow loris (Mar. 30, 2011)		39,200		... that the slow lorises that are illegally caught and traded as exotic pets have their front teeth cut out (pictured) due to fear of their toxic bite?
Kemna concentration camp (Jan. 20, 2012)		38,567	4,820	... that torture at Kemna concentration camp (memorial pictured), one of the first Nazi concentration camps, was so brutal that the Nazis held hearings on it?
Pleuni Touw De Stille Kracht (television series) (Sep. 18, 2012)		24,877 + 11,928 = 36,805	4,600	... that Pleuni Touw (pictured) had the first nude scene in Dutch television on 1974's The Hidden Force?
Tett turret (Oct. 14, 2010)		35,100		... that the only exit from a Tett turret (pictured) could expose a soldier trying to leave the fortification to direct fire from the enemy?
Andaman Sea Khao Phing Kan (Sep. 29, 2010)		6,100 + 27,900 = 34,000		... that there is a James Bond Island (pictured) in the Andaman Sea?
Antonija Mišura (Aug. 23, 2012)		32,282	4,035	... that according to Bleacher Report, Antonija Mišura (pictured) was the most beautiful female competitor at the 2012 Olympics?
1907 Tiflis bank robbery (Dec. 20, 2010)		32,200		... that a 1907 stagecoach robbery organized by Vladimir Lenin (pictured) and Joseph Stalin killed an estimated 40 people and netted approximately 250,000 rubles (over $3 million in current USD)?
Spragg Bag (Dec. 21, 2010)		32,200		... that a large waterbag (pictured) can bring water to California and, according to its inventor, peace to the Middle East?
Daniel Lambert (Jul. 6, 2010)		31,400		... that English gaol keeper and animal breeder Daniel Lambert (pictured) weighed 52 stone 11 lb (739 lb; 335 kg)?
Brittany CoxXx (Jan. 21, 2011)		31,400		... that Borat Sagdiyev's son, who appeared in photos in the movie Borat, was actually trans woman and porn star Brittany CoxXx (pictured)?
Walter Koch (Fallschirmjäger) (Mar. 2, 2011)		31,200		... that German paratrooper Walter Koch (pictured) acted against the Commando Order and saved John Dutton Frost's British paratroopers from execution?
Candy desk (Apr. 1, 2011 - April Fools Day)		32,100	4,012	... that there is a desk full of candy (pictured) on the floor of the US Senate?
Stannard Rock Light (Jun. 16, 2009)		31,000		... that the Stannard Rock Light (pictured), known as the "Loneliest Place in the World", is the furthest lighthouse from land and described as one of the top ten engineering feats in the United States?
Nazi-Soviet military parade in Brest-Litovsk (Sep. 17, 2009)		30,900		... that a joint Nazi-Soviet military parade in Brest-Litovsk (pictured) was held on September 22, 1939, to display the power of the newly formed Soviet-Nazi pact to the whole world?
Brad Stevens (Apr. 5, 2010)		30,800	5,133	... that Butler men's basketball head coach Brad Stevens (pictured) has won 89 games in his first three years, exceeding the previous NCAA record by 8 games?
Sea of Japan Kamome Island (Oct. 18, 2010)		5,000 + 25,700 = 30,700		... that according to a legend, the Heishi rock (pictured) represents the God of the Sea of Japan?
Love dart (Oct. 9, 2008)		30,700		... that some hermaphrodite snails and slugs pierce each other with love darts (pictured) during mating?
Disappearance of Rebecca Coriam (Mar. 22, 2012)		30,657	3,832	... that the disappearance of Rebecca Coriam from the Disney Wonder (pictured) one year ago today was the first such incident in the history of Disney Cruise Line?
Normandy landings (Jul. 21, 2014)		30,477	2,540	... that a key target for the Normandy landings, Caen (pictured), was not captured by the Allies until 21 July 1944?
Gleno Dam (Mar. 23, 2011)		30,400		... that, in 1923, the Gleno Dam (pictured) in Italy failed shortly after it was completed and its flooding killed at least 356 people?
Etruscan shrew (Oct. 25, 2010)		30,400		... that the Etruscan shrew (pictured on a human thumb) is the smallest known mammal by weight?
Ernest R. Kouma (Aug. 10, 2011)		30,200		... that US Army Master Sergeant Ernest R. Kouma was awarded the Medal of Honor (pictured) in the Korean War for singlehandedly killing approximately 250 North Korean troops?
Swimming Reindeer (Aug. 18, 2010)		30,000		... that the Swimming Reindeer (pictured), a 13,000-year-old Ice Age sculpture, was originally thought to be two separate reindeer sculptures until Henri Breuil realised they fitted together?
David B. Bleak (Mar. 23, 2012)		29,847	3,730	... that combat medic David B. Bleak (pictured) was awarded the Medal of Honor in the Korean War after killing five Chinese soldiers, four using only his hands?
Marching fire (Dec. 18, 2011)		29,800	3,725	... that General George S. Patton (pictured) praised the tactic of marching fire during World War II?
West Loch Disaster (Apr. 23, 2010)		29,500		... that the hulk of LST-480 (pictured) is the only remaining evidence of the West Loch Disaster, the second tragedy to befall Pearl Harbor during World War II?
Janice Rand (May 20, 2015)		29,491		... that Star Trek producer Bob Justman said you could hit Janice Rand's (pictured) hair with a sledgehammer and not leave a dent?
Giant huntsman spider (Dec. 19, 2008)		29,300	4,883	... that with a leg-span of 30 centimetres (12 inches), the giant huntsman (pictured) is one of the world's largest spiders?
Neel Kashkari (Oct. 13, 2008)		29,200		... that Neel Kashkari (pictured), six years after completing his MBA, was put in charge of the $700 billion U.S. Government bailout of financial institutions?
Valonia ventricosa (Sep. 7, 2010)		29,100		... that "sailors' eyeballs" (pictured) is one of the largest single-celled organisms?
Podoconiosis (Feb. 20, 2013)		28,976 + 3,352 = 32,328	4,041	... that an estimated four million people worldwide suffer from podoconiosis?
Wreck of the RMS Titanic (Mar. 15, 2012)		28,526	3,565	... that proposals to raise the wreck of the RMS Titanic (pictured) have included filling it with ping-pong balls, injecting it with 180,000 tons of Vaseline or turning it into an iceberg?
Fighting Irish (Family Guy) (May 29, 2015)		8,704 + 19,779 = 28,483	2,373	... that Liam Neeson (pictured) agreed to say any line that the writers of the Family Guy episode "Fighting Irish" wrote – except one?
Rollstone Boulder (Jan. 4, 2013)		28,004	2,334	... that in order to save the Rollstone Boulder (pictured) from being demolished, it was blown up?
Clive Mantle (Apr. 1, 2013)		24,963 + 2,905 = 27,868	3,484	... that English actor Clive Mantle (portrait pictured) beat up Clint Eastwood?
Lazarus syndrome (Nov. 5, 2008)		27,800		... that the Lazarus syndrome is named after Lazarus of Bethany (pictured), who the Bible says was raised from the dead by Jesus?
Omid Tahvili (May 6, 2008)		27,500		... that in April 2008, Forbes listed Omid Tahvili (pictured) as one of the world's ten most wanted fugitives?
TiME (spacecraft) (Nov. 10, 2009)		27,400		... that TiME (artist's rendering pictured) is a boat that is not designed to sail on any water on this planet?
Aircraft camouflage (Nov. 4, 2009)		27,400		... that experiments with modern aircraft camouflage (pictured) have used panels that emit light?
Imperial German plans for the invasion of the United States (Dec. 31, 2012)		27,118	2,260	... that Kaiser Wilhelm II (pictured) ordered plans drawn up for Germany to invade two US cities: Boston and New York?
Inexhaustible bottle (Feb. 18, 2014)		27,049	3,381	… that the trick to the inexhaustible bottle (illustrated) was so widely known that it became part of a common hydrostatics demonstration for physics students?
Gömböc (Oct. 9, 2009)		27,000		... that the discovery of geometrical body Gömböc (pictured) in 2006 helped understanding the body shape of turtles?
Wait for me, Daddy (Oct. 1, 2010)		26,900		... that 70 years ago on October 1, 1940, little "Whitey" Bernard was photographed running after his father (pictured) who was marching to war?
Japanese aircraft carrier Amagi (Nov. 6, 2011)		26,708	2,258	... that the Japanese aircraft carrier Amagi (wreck pictured) capsized on 29 July 1945 as a result of cumulative damage inflicted by American airstrikes on 24 and 28 July?
Termitaradus mitnicki (Apr. 1, 2010 – April Fool's Day)		26,600		... that researchers have identified the pictured life form which no longer lives on this planet?
Akutan Zero (Dec. 7, 2008)		26,600	2,216	... that the U.S. devised tactics to defeat Japan's Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane from the 1942 capture of an intact example dubbed the Akutan Zero (pictured)?
Chicken fried bacon (Feb. 17, 2009)		26,500		... that the recipe for chicken fried bacon (pictured) was developed in the small town of Snook, Texas, at Sodolak's Original Country Inn?
Air well (condenser) (May 1, 2009)		26,301		... that an air well (pictured) collects water by promoting the condensation of moisture from air?
Door to Hell (Nov. 1, 2012)		26,298	3,287	... that the Door to Hell (pictured) has been blazing since 1971?
Earth's shadow (Oct. 26, 2010)		26,200		... that the Earth's shadow (pictured) can be observed during twilight hours?
Elephant of the Bastille (Aug. 29, 2011)		26,256		... that a giant elephant (engraving pictured) in Paris was protected by a man living in one of its legs?
PL-01 (Jan. 3, 2014)		25,748		... that the PL-01 (pictured) is a tank designed in Poland?
Cat Daddy (May 29, 2012)		25,686	3,211	... that a bikini-clad rendition of the "Cat Daddy" dance by the reigning Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Kate Upton (pictured) was temporarily banned from YouTube?
Scowle (Oct. 6, 2008)		25,620		... that the ancient opencast iron ore workings known as scowles (pictured) in the Forest of Dean, England, are believed to have been an inspiration for settings in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings?
Gerp's mouse lemur (Jan. 18, 2012)		25,495	3,186	... that Gerp's mouse lemur is a newly discovered mouse lemur species from Madagascar, and is only known from an area smaller than the size of Puerto Rico?
Yogo sapphire (Nov. 23, 2011)		25,141	3,142	...that Yogo sapphires (pictured) are rarer than diamonds and are found only in Yogo Gulch, Montana?
Carmenelectra (Feb. 3, 2013)	Picture deleted	25,090	3,136	... that Carmenelectra was named after the model (pictured) because both have "splendid" bodies?
Lord's honours boards (Jan. 16, 2013)		25,034	3,129	... that Australia's Warren Bardsley and Charles Kellaway were only listed on the Lord's Honours Boards (pictured) 98 years after they had fulfilled the requirements, due to the lack of a neutral board?

Non-lead hooks with at least 15,000 views

Articles in the lead slot on DYK tend to get the most page views. In order to recognize outstanding hooks which do not appear in the lead slot, this chart displays non-lead article hooks that have received at least 15,000 page views.

• Note: "Views / hour" = "DYK views" divided by the number of hours on the Main Page (6, 8 or 12)

Article (DYK date)	DYK views	Views / hour	DYK hook
Blood Moon Prophecy + April 2014 lunar eclipse (Apr. 15, 2014)	32,393 + 115,399 = 147,792	24,632	... that, according to the Blood Moon Prophecy, tonight's eclipse could be a sign that the end time is near?
United States v. Article Consisting of 50,000 Cardboard Boxes More or Less, Each Containing One Pair of Clacker Balls (Apr. 1, 2014)	112,300		... that the United States once sued 50,000 cardboard boxes and clacker balls?
Euthanasia Coaster (May 3, 2011)	86,300	14,383	... that the concept for the Euthanasia Coaster, a roller coaster designed to kill its riders, caused concern among anti-euthanasia groups when it went on display?
Philip Hindes (Aug. 2, 2012)	59,004 + 20,518 = 79,522	7,376	... that track cyclist Philip Hindes was born in Germany and did not take up cycling until 2008, but has been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics?
The Negro Motorist Green Book (Aug. 10, 2013)	36,617 + 29,882 = 66,439	3,051	... that The Negro Motorist Green Book provided advice on how African-American drivers could avoid dangers and discrimination on the road in Jim Crow-era America?
Compton–Belkovich Thorium Anomaly (May 13, 2012)	59,267	7,409	...that the Compton–Belkovich Thorium Anomaly is a thorium-rich hotspot on the back of the moon?
Mining in North Korea (May 16, 2013)	2,969 + 49,136 - 379 = 51,726	6,347	... that while North Korea is abundant in natural resources worth trillions of dollars, most of these often cannot be mined due to the acute shortage of electricity in the country?
David González (skateboarder) (Jan. 5, 2012)	51,032	4,253	... that skateboarder David González was named Thrasher magazine's 2012 "Skater of the Year"?
R v Registrar General ex parte Segerdal (Jan. 15, 2013)	20,800 + 21,832 = 42,632	5,329	... that in 1970, the English Court of Appeal found that Scientology does not engage in religious worship?
Batman Province (Apr. 1, 2011)	38,300	4,787	... that Batman is half female?
Todd Palin (Sep. 4, 2008)	37,900	6,316	... that Alaska's First Gentleman Todd Palin won the world's longest snowmobile race four times?
Super Hornio Brothers (Apr. 2, 2012)	37,093	4,636	... that Nintendo owns the rights to a pornographic film?
Sex for Breakfast (Apr. 1, 2013)	27,802 + 3,448 = 31,250	3,906	... that Christina Aguilera had sex for breakfast with slow jam and honey drip?
Shooting Star (Glee) (Apr. 14, 2013)	46,208 - (20,646 + 10,162)/2 = 30,804	3,851	... that "Shooting Star", the eighteenth episode of the fourth season of Glee, has been characterized as "unsettling" and "harrowing" by pre-broadcast reviewers?
Labia minor (Apr. 1, 2011)	27,700	3,462	... that a typical Labia minor is chocolate brown, up to 7 mm long, and is equipped with pincers?
Malus baccata (Apr. 1, 2011)	26,100	3,262	... that 14-metre (46 ft) tall Siberian crabs are being used in experimental breeding programs?
The Great Train Robbery (TV series) (Dec. 18, 2011)	12,346 + 13,581 = 25,927	2,160	... that the BBC filmed The Great Train Robbery in Yorkshire, as it was the "most cost-effective and realistic alternative" to filming in 1960s England?
John's Phone (Sep. 27, 2011)	25,500	2,125	... that John's Phone has been dubbed "the world's simplest phone"?
Harry Powers (Oct. 31, 2011)	25,500	2,125	... that Harry Powers said that watching his victims die was more fun than a brothel?
Natalia Poklonskaya (Jun. 6, 2014)	25,586 - (1,220+945)/2 = 24,501	2,042	... that the Prosecutor General of Crimea, Natalia Poklonskaya, is barred from entering European Union countries?
La Pelegrina pearl (Apr. 1, 2011)	24,500	3,062	... that a wanderer survived both the French Revolution of 1789–99 and the Russian Revolution 127 years later?
Loring Air Force Base Alert crew Mole hole Christmas tree (aviation) Loring Air Force Base Alert Area Elephant walk (aviation) Minimum Interval Takeoff (Nov. 11, 2012)	4,153 + 1,571 + 5,169 + 3,942 + 750 + 5,779 + 3,133 = 24,497	2,661	... that Loring AFB alert crews would scramble from a mole hole, run to awaiting jets on a christmas tree (both within the alert area), and perform an elephant walk and a MITO, all within fifteen minutes?
Elvis' Greatest Shit (Apr. 1, 2013)	23,993	2,999	... that Elvis' greatest shit was dropped in 1982?
Red or Black? (Jul. 11, 2011)	23,300	2,912	... that Simon Cowell conceived the idea for Red or Black?, the most expensive game show ever made?
Battle of Palmdale (Mar. 25, 2015)	23,246	1,937	... that missiles from USAF fighter planes started dozens of fires in the Battle of Palmdale?
Cardboard bicycle (Feb. 4, 2013)	23,245	2,906	... that a cardboard bicycle has been made that weighs just 20 pounds (9.1 kg) and can support up to 220 kilograms (490 lb)?
Vincent Mroz (Dec. 3, 2012)	20,846 + 2,264 = 23,110	2,889	... that United States Secret Service agent Vincent Mroz shot an attempted presidential assassin in the "biggest gunfight in Secret Service history"?
Devil's Cigarette Lighter (May 2, 2013)	20,923 + 2,126 = 23,049	2,881	... that John Glenn saw the Devil's Cigarette Lighter from orbit?
Lyle Stevik (Mar. 5, 2015)	17,285 + 5,210 = 22,495	1,874	... that Lyle Stevik's true identity has never been discovered?
Angel Island mouse (Oct. 18, 2011)	22,400	1,866	... that the entire population of Angel Island mice on the island of Estanque in the Gulf of California may have been killed by a single domestic cat in a period of just two years?
Fowler's Ghost (Oct. 31, 2011)	22,400	1,866	... that Fowler's Ghost was first seen on the London Metropolitan Railway in 1861, nearly exploded and was never seen again after 1895?
People sniffer (Oct. 30, 2008)	22,000		... that during the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong hung buckets of mud with urine in trees to thwart American people sniffers?
Segregated prom (Apr. 3, 2010)	21,800		... that despite criticism, some high schools in the United States still hold separate segregated proms for black and white students?
Bunkers in Albania (Jan. 29, 2012)	21,784	2,723	... that over 700,000 bunkers were built in Communist-era Albania, most of which now have little use other than as a place to lose one's virginity?
Fugging (Apr. 1, 2014)	21,722		... that Fucking was renamed Fugging for an unknown reason?
Muria people premarital sex (Aug. 27, 2011)	18,700+ 2,800= 21,500		... that although the Muria generally encourage premarital sex, some communities punish young people who take the same sexual partner for more than three nights?
Dewi Sandra Quickie Express (Oct. 27, 2011)	12,200 + 9,200 = 21,400	1,783	... that Sandra Dewi gave an "arousing" performance in Quickie Express, but has refused to do "vulgar" photo shoots?
Naked (Glee) (Feb. 1, 2013)	24,040 + 12,821 - 8,234 -7,319 = 21,308	1,775	... that in the Glee episode "Naked", when Lea Michele's character Rachel was "Torn" over having to do a topless scene, Michele had to film the song twice so she could duet with herself?
Disappearance of Leah Roberts (March 18, 2015)	19,692 + 1,587 = 21,279	1,773	... that though police investigating the disappearance of Leah Roberts found her wrecked Jeep 15 years ago today, they only looked under the hood in 2006 and saw the starter relay wire had been cut?
List of Billboard Social 50 number-one acts (Jan. 21, 2013)	21,166	2,731	... that Canadian singer Justin Bieber holds the record for the most consecutive weeks at number-one on the Billboard Social 50 with 24?
John C. Colt (Oct. 31, 2011)	21,000	1,750	... that the unusual way that John C. Colt disposed of his murder victim's corpse may have influenced Edgar Allen Poe's story "The Oblong Box"?
List of fastest production motorcycles (Jun. 29, 2011)	20,800	3,466	... that the competition to build the fastest production motorcycle raged for over a century, and then ended in a truce?
Cathy Wayne (Feb. 26, 2009)	20,700		... that pop entertainer Cathy Wayne was the first Australian woman killed in the Vietnam War, when a US Marine shot her on stage while she was performing?
Salty and Roselle (Apr. 19, 2012)	20,611		... that two guide dogs, Salty and Roselle, were awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry after leading their blind owners out of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks?
Gabi (dog) (Apr. 18, 2012)	20,545	1,700	... that a dog named Gabi fought a jaguar, preventing the big cat's escape from the Belgrade Zoo onto the streets of Belgrade?
Android lawn statues (Nov. 10, 2011)	20,400	1,700	... that Google keeps giant dessert items on its lawn?
Men's parking space (Jul. 11, 2011)	20,077	2,509	... that the two men's parking spaces in Triberg, Germany, have drawn accusations of sexism?
The River (1997 film) (Dec. 16, 2010)	20,000		... that The River was called a "porn movie" by the lead actor's father?
United States free speech exceptions (Jan. 11, 2012)	19,800	2,475	... that there are eight exceptions to the freedom of speech in the United States?
George Spencer (New Haven) (Nov. 13, 2011)	19,700	1,641	... that a stillborn, deformed piglet's resemblance to George Spencer led to him becoming the first white man executed in Connecticut?
Han solo (trilobite) (Apr 1, 2009 – April Fool's Day)	19,700		... that a team of archaeologists discovered a fossilized Han Solo in the rocks of China?
Black Versace dress of Elizabeth Hurley (May 11, 2011)	19,600		... that "That Dress", worn by Elizabeth Hurley at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in 1994, has been voted the greatest red carpet dress of all time and is perhaps Gianni Versace's best-known creation?
Prada Marfa (Apr. 1, 2010 – April Fool's Day)	19,600		... that the Prada Store in Marfa, Texas, is never open?
Green Versace "jungle" dress of Jennifer Lopez (May 25, 2011)	19,500		... that David Duchovny said, "I'm sure that nobody is looking at me", when standing beside Jennifer Lopez who was wearing her "jungle" Versace dress?
Blood rain (Apr. 1, 2010 – April Fool's Day)	19,400		... that a rain of blood in Germany foreshadowed the coming of the Black Death?
Murder of Julia Martha Thomas (Jul. 20, 2011)	19,400	2,425	... that the severed head of Julia Martha Thomas, murdered, boiled and dismembered by her maid in 1879, was found next door to Sir David Attenborough's house in 2010?
Ratón (Aug. 19, 2011)	19,300		... that a terrible Mouse weighing 500 kg (1,100 lb) has killed three people in Spain in the last five years?
John le Fucker (Apr. 1, 2013)	16,673 + 2,291 = 18,964	2,371	... that John le Fucker's name probably did not mean what you might think it means?
The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) (Jun. 17, 2011)	23,900 - (5,400 + 4,800)/2 = 18,800	3,133	... that The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) has been banned by the British Board of Film Classification?
Rosemary's Baby (miniseries) (May 12, 2014)	4,212 + 19,080-(2655+6353)/2 = 18,788	1,534	... that the 2014 adaptation of Rosemary's Baby starring Zoe Saldana is set in Paris rather than New York City like the original novel?
Diethyl azodicarboxylate (Apr. 1, 2011 – April Fool's Day)	18,600	2,325	... that even small amounts of dead cat can explode when heated?
National Masturbation Day (Mar. 21, 2012)	18,466	2,308	... that National Masturbation Day, an annual event celebrated in the US in May, was first observed in 1995?
Lost Nigger Gold Mine (Mar. 7, 2012)	18,452	2,306	... that the legendary Lost Nigger Gold Mine, first discovered in 1887, was still being searched for in 1930?
Law Ting Holm (Apr. 1, 2011 – April Fool's Day)	18,400	2,300	... that nesting is not used by breeding Mute Swans but they do use this thing?
Hexagonal water (Nov. 1, 2011)	18,400	1,533	... that hexagonal water, a configuration of water that supposedly stops aging, is a marketing scam?
Star Trek: The God Thing (Jan. 29, 2015)	18,346	1,528	... that Gene Roddenberry blamed religious executives of Paramount Studios for its rejection of Star Trek: The God Thing?
Disappearing Model (May 1, 2009)	18,300		... that Disappearing Model, a body painting in which a model is painted so that she is indistinguishable from her background, is Joanne Gair's most famous work and was displayed on Ripley's Believe It or Not!?
Sigma war games (Dec. 17, 2014)	18,164		... that as early as 1962 the Sigma war games predicted that American intervention in the Vietnam War would be unsuccessful?
James Ferguson (Scottish politician) (Jan. 28, 2013)	14,264 + 3,813 = 18,077	2,260	... that James Ferguson was so ugly that his own mother warned him against being mistaken for a rapist?
Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. (Mar. 23, 2012)	17,992	2,249	... that in spite of being shot eight times, Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. ordered his men to tie him to a tree so he could keep fighting, action for which he received the Medal of Honor?
James Muri (Feb.11, 2013)	17,974	2,237	... that World War II pilot James Muri's only means of escape, after attacking the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi, was to fly down along the line of her flight deck?
World Naked Gardening Day (Apr. 5, 2012)	17,935	1,195	... that World Naked Gardening Day, celebrated in May to promote nude gardening, was first observed in 2005?
2008 Kerry bogslide (Sep. 9, 2008)	17,900		... that the 2008 Kerry bogslide was described as "one of the most frightening and overwhelming events ever witnessed"?
Battle of Grunwald (painting) (Feb. 24, 2012)	17,856	2,232	... that the masterpiece painting Battle of Grunwald by Jan Matejko was among the most wanted artifacts that Nazi Germany planned to destroy?
Boeing RC-1 (Sep. 8, 2014)	17,700		... that the Boeing RC-1, designed to haul ore and oil out of the Arctic, would have been twice the size and weight of the largest aircraft ever built?
Pichi (Jul. 23, 2014)	17,604	1,466	... that male pichis have a penis that is 60% of their body length, even though the females have no vagina?
Commodore Nutt (Jan. 30, 2008)	17,600		… that Commodore Nutt grew only 37 inches (94 cm) tall?
A Free Ride (Feb. 14, 2012)	17,510	2,188	... that A Free Ride is considered to be the earliest surviving American hardcore pornographic film?
Trumpington bed burial Bed burial (Mar. 28, 2012)	12,792 + 4,690 = 17,482	2,185	... that a 7th-century grave in Cambridge discovered in 2011 held the remains of an Anglo-Saxon teenage girl who was lying on a bed, with a gold and garnet cross on her breast?
Meat dress of Lady Gaga (May 20, 2011)	9260 + 10584 - (784 + 3979) / 2 = 17463		... that the meat dress of Lady Gaga was to be preserved by being made into a type of jerky?
1111 Lincoln Road (Jan. 6, 2012)	17,300	2,165	... that a parking garage in Miami Beach was described as having a "stunning" design and has hosted weddings, wine tastings, and dinner parties?
Buxbaumia (Apr. 1, 2010 – April Fool's Day)	17,200		... that humpbacked elves are rarely seen because their bodies are microscopic?
Lighthouse and naval vessel urban legend (Sep. 24, 2011)	17,200	1,433	... that the Military Officers Association of America reports that the "I'm a lighthouse. Your call" urban legend is forwarded to the organization an average of three times a day?
Hypoalgesic effect of swearing (Aug. 21, 2013)	15,818 + 1,368 = 17,186		... that you should swear when you hurt yourself?
Stefanie Rabatsch (May 2012)	15,181 + 1,849 = 17,030		... that Adolf Hitler was so hopelessly in love with Stefanie Isak when he was a teenager that he planned to kill both her and himself in the Danube?
The Story of Menstruation (Apr. 1, 2009 – April Fool's Day)	17,000		... that in Disney's animated film The Story of Menstruation, the flow is snow white?
Jacqueline Voltaire (May 12, 2008)	16,900		... that British actress Jacqueline Voltaire won a "most bizarre sex scene" award in 2005 for her performance in the Mexican film Matando Cabos?
Clubfoot George (Apr. 1, 2011)	16,900	2,112	... that Clubfoot George was executed by vigilantes because they believed that he was innocent?
Alien Spidy (Apr. 1, 2015 – April Fool's Day)	15,039 + 1,553 = 16,592		... that extraterrestrial spiders have only six legs?
Project Camelot (Mar. 19, 2015)	15,260 + 1,311 = 16,571		... that the U.S. Army cancelled Project Camelot on the day Congress began investigating it?
Tsutomu Yamaguchi (Mar. 31, 2009)	16,500		... that Tsutomu Yamaguchi is the only known survivor of the atomic bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II?
John 3:7 (sign) (Aug. 18, 2009)	16,300		...that John 3:7, once flung from a train window, made the news again in 2009 after going missing on a train?
Montecristo (Mar. 6, 2012)	16,035	2,004	... that the Italian island of Montecristo, although 10.39 km2 (4.01 sq mi) in area, is almost deserted, having only two stable inhabitants?
Ntrepid (Apr. 1, 2011 – April Fool's Day)	15,900	1,987	... that Ntrepid was paid $2.76 million by the U.S. military to create sock puppets?
Samson Isberg Murder of Knut Grøte (Apr. 4, 2012)	9,620+ 6,196= 15,816	1,977	... that Samson Isberg's last beheadings were attended by about 5,000 spectators?
Hermann Hogeback (Dec. 20, 2012)	14,668 + 1,145 = 15,813	1,318	... that Hermann Hogeback's entire bomber crew was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II, a unique distinction in the Luftwaffe?
Megapenthes lugens (Jun. 27, 2010)	15,800		... that the Queen's executioner lives in Windsor Great Park and feeds on weevils and nectar?
List of United States Presidents by net worth (Aug. 29, 2012)	10,613 + 5,176 = 15,789	1,973	... that Harry Truman was the poorest U.S. President since 1929?
MTB 345 (Nov. 15, 2012)	14,168 + 1,576 = 15,744	1,989	... that the Norwegian-British crew of MTB 345 were tortured and executed as a result of Adolf Hitler's Commando Order?
25 Luglio (Jul. 25, 2013)	14,851 + 873 = 15,724	1,966	... that on 25 July 1943, the Gran Consiglio del Fascismo asked the king to reassume power, provoking the fall of Italian Fascism and the arrest of Mussolini?
Boise homosexuality scandal (Jun. 9, 2009)	15,700		... that a sex scandal in Boise, Idaho, in 1955 resulted in almost 1,500 people being interviewed and a list of 500 suspected homosexuals?
White Tights (Dec. 9, 2008)	15,700	1,962	... that White Tights are mysterious blonde female snipers from the Baltic states who have supposedly fought against the Russian Army in various conflicts?
Tyrannasorus rex (Feb. 1, 2013)	15,612	1,952	... that Tyrannasorus rex had wings and six legs?
Jerry Hardin (Jan. 11, 2012)	15,600	1,950	... that Deep Throat's daughter is Monk's wife?
Abortion in Latvia (Jun. 22, 2013)	15,446	1,931	... that in 1991 there were 34,633 births and 44,886 abortions in Latvia?
Faces of Meth (Feb. 1, 2011)	15,505		... that the Faces of Meth project shows before-and-after images documenting physical deterioration caused by meth use?
TSS The Queen (Apr. 1, 2010 – April Fool's Day)	15,500		... that The Queen was captured by the Germans in 1916?
Kalantaka (May 25, 2011)	15,500		... that the icon of "the Death of Death" is popular in South India?
Disney bomb (Jun. 22, 2011)	15,500	2,583	... that the Disney bomb of the Second World War is thought to have been inspired by the Walt Disney cartoon Victory Through Air Power?
Escape from Tomorrow (Jan. 29, 2013)	13,665 + 2,462 - (869 + 403)/2 = 15,491	1,936	... that Escape from Tomorrow was covertly filmed on location at Disneyland and Walt Disney World without Disney's permission or knowledge, using iPhones to store scripts and schedules and record sound?
The Boat Race 2008 (Jul. 21, 2014)	1,176 + 14,294 = 15,470	1,263	... that the 2008 Boat Race featured the oldest ever competitor, a 36-year-old?
How Am I Supposed to Kill You If You Have All the Guns? (Jun. 26, 2009)	15,441		... that How Am I Supposed to Kill You If You Have All the Guns? was described as "disgusting" by the parents of one of its creators?
Frontier Series (Apr. 1, 2014)	13,354 + 2,058 = 15,402		... that Canada's new money features too much pornography and not enough women?
USCGC Chincoteague (WPB-1320), MY Titanic (Apr. 1, 2011)	8,592 + 6,800 = 15,392	1,924	... that in 2010, three survivors of the Titanic were rescued by the USCGC Chincoteague?
Dylan Penn treats! (Sep. 9, 2014)	12,213 + 3,149 = 15,362	1,340	... that Dylan Penn—daughter of Sean Penn and Robin Wright—declined a US$150,000 offer to pose for a Playboy cover, but later appeared nude behind a $6000 Fendi bag on a treats! cover?
Murder of Leigh Leigh (Aug. 21, 2014)	12,398 + 2906 = 15,304	1,275	... that the murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl Leigh Leigh inspired a theatrical play that was later adapted into a feature film?'
Sharknado (Jul. 22, 2013)	28,590 - 13,332 = 15,258	1,272	... that, in case of a Sharknado, a National Weather Service representative recommended staying indoors "whether sharks are raining down or not"?
Charlotte McKinney (Mar. 11, 2015)	12,382 + 4,663 - (1,292 + 2,415) / 2 = 15,192	1,266	... that model Charlotte McKinney became "insta-famous" by posting pictures to Instagram?

DYK page view leaders by month (over 5,000 views)

June 2015

Article	Image	DYK views	Views / hour	DYK hook
Candaules, King of Lydia, Shews his Wife by Stealth to Gyges, One of his Ministers, as She Goes to Bed		19,670	1,639	... that Candaules, King of Lydia, Shews his Wife by Stealth to Gyges, One of his Ministers, as She Goes to Bed (pictured) was accused of a level of offensiveness one would expect from a foreign, not a British artist?
Sunrise Ruby		14,182	1,182	... that the Sunrise Ruby is the world's most expensive ruby, most expensive coloured gemstone, and most expensive gemstone other than a diamond?
Pazhassi Dam		13433+622=14055	1,171	... that in 2012, the gates of the Pazhassi Dam (pictured) failed to open and caused a flood?
Savalia savaglia		13493		... that gold coral has one of the longest lifespans of any organism on Earth?
Baron Munchausen		9,079	754	... that Baron von Münchhausen was furious at the creation of Baron Munchausen?
Chips and dip		9,044	753	... that chips and dip (pictured) gained significant popularity in the United States circa 1954, in part due to an advertising campaign that promoted using Lipton dehydrated onion soup mix to prepare dip?
Chicken in the Rough		8,925	743	... that Chicken in the Rough, established in 1936, was one of the first restaurant chain franchises in the United States?
Bash Tapia Castle		6,653 + 1,502 = 8,155	679	... that Bash Tapia Castle was blown up by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in April 2015?
Private Apartments of the Winter Palace		7,818		... that the private apartments of the Winter Palace were a residence of the Russian Imperial family (bedroom of Maria Alexandrovna pictured)?
Juan Rivera (wrongful conviction)		7,602	633	... that an investigation into the case of Juan Rivera uncovered proof of evidence tampering when his shoes, which had the victim's blood on them, also bore DNA from the real killer?
Phineas Waller		5,454 + 2,048 = 7,502	625	... that Phineas Waller's heirs were surprised by how much they received from his estate?
The Clock (2010 film)		5,387 + 2,089 = 7,476	623	... that The Clock strikes Orson Welles at midnight?
Pothundi Dam		6,801	550	... that an unusual feature of the Pothundi Dam (pictured) earth dam is the core wall, which is constructed with a mixture of jaggery and quicklime?
Stallerhof		6,430 + 359 = 6,789		... that the 1971 play Stallerhof features an old farmer masturbating?
Grace Kelly filmography		6,741	561	... that Grace Kelly (pictured) won the Best Actress Oscar in 1955, then retired from acting the following year at the age of 26?
L Street Bridge		6,734		... that the L Street Bridge does not carry or cross over L Street?
Graham Chapman		6,560		... that Graham Chapman was one of the first celebrities to come out of the closet in Britain, and financially supported Gay News?
K Street Bridge		6,011		... that the K Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. for decades contained unused ramps intended to connect to the unbuilt Inner Loop Expressway?
Duke Hu of Chen		5,306 + 433 = 5,739	478	... that Duke Hu of Chen is considered the founding ancestor of the Chen surname, which is shared by 80 million people worldwide?
2015 Wootton Bassett SPAD incident		5,423		... that Network Rail temporarily banned the West Coast Railway Company from Britain's rails following a SPAD?
The Last of Us Remastered		5,418		... that The Last of Us Remastered "looked broken up until a week before shipping"?
Gayby Baby		5,198	433	... that Gayby Baby is a documentary film about "gaybies", children raised by gay or lesbian couples?
Askam Borehole		5,195	433	... that the Askam Borehole, which was built by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, discharges thousands of gallons of acid mine drainage into Nanticoke Creek every minute?
Shoreham Hill Bridge		5,189		... that Ulysses S. Grant III approved the unsightly design of the original Shoreham Hill Bridge in Washington, D.C. because it would encourage the public to demand a more aesthetic and expensive bridge?

Archive of monthly DYKSTATS leaders

2015, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

2014, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2013, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2012, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2011, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2010, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2009, by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2008, by month

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec