Did you know that despite their immense diversity in form, these gold dust weights were all cast to exact measurement standards? While some designs were purely aesthetic or for status, many referenced Akan proverbs, with popular water creatures symbolizing fluidity and movement.
Every morning we publish one verified fact drawn from the National Archives, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian and data.gov agencies, plus five more worth knowing. Each day gets its own page, and each fact links back to the record it came from.
This story was assembled using AI and public data sources.
Photograph of Etta Moten Barnett by Scurlock — Did you know that the portrait of Etta Moten Barnett was taken by Scurlock, an associated name, and features her looking directly at the viewer over her left shoulder while wearing a dress with a unique back of radiating straps from a beaded collar? National Museum of African American History and Culture
Rent benchmark — Yuma, AZ MSA — HUD's 2025 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Yuma, AZ MSA, Arizona is $1,377 a month, compared with $1,050 for a one-bedroom and $1,877 for a three-bedroom. Fair Market Rents set the payment standard for housing choice vouchers. (Source: HUD Fair Market Rents). HUD User
New Jersey motor vehicle theft rate — In New Jersey, the reported motor vehicle theft rate was about 165 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2024. The national rate that year was about 258 per 100,000. (Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer). FBI · Crime Data Explorer
Louisiana motor vehicle theft rate — In Louisiana, the reported motor vehicle theft rate was about 228 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2024. The national rate that year was about 258 per 100,000. (Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer). FBI · Crime Data Explorer
ALSRC, Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container, Apollo 12 — Did you know that each Apollo lunar landing mission utilized two Apollo Lunar Sample Return Containers, and these containers were vacuum-sealed before flight to prevent pressure changes upon opening on the Moon? National Air and Space Museum
