The bikini was invented in 1946.  I don’t really understand how it was “invented” in 1946.  Could no one honestly figure this one out on their own?  Anyway, the “inventor” named the swimsuit after Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear weapon tests earlier the same year.  I was at the beach this weekend.  As great as bikinis can be, there really is a fine line between a swimsuit and a weapon of mass destruction.

April Fools’ Day is celebrated in many countries across this foolish world.  In some more serious countries, the pranks end at noon and everyone who plays a trick after noon will be harshly labeled an “April Fool.”  In more fun-loving countries like the United States, the pranks continue all day. In France, April 1st is nicknamed Poisson d’Avril, or “April Fish.”  French children may tape an image of a fish on the back of one of their peers, shouting “Poisson d’Avril!” once the prank is revealed.  French children can be absolutely sinister.

Lisa Gherardini has one of the most recognizable faces in the world.  In the 16th century, her husband hired some schmo named Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of her (he better have got some good Renaissance-style lovin’ for this romantic gift).  Not much is known about Lisa Gherardini (also known as Lisa del Giocondo), but most history indicates she lived a pretty normal, middle-class life with her aging husband and six children.  In 1911, Mona Lisa was stolen from the walls of the Louvre by one of the museum’s employees, Vincenzo Peruggia.  Peruggia was a hardcore Italian patriot, and believed the painting belonged in Italy.  One Sunday, he swiped the painting, hid it in his little artist’s smock, and walked out.  For two years Mona Lisa rested in a trunk in Peruggia’s apartment (chick magnet).  He finally tried to sell it to an Italian museum and was quickly busted.  In Italy, he was regarded as a sort of patriotic hero, and only received a few months in jail.  Later, he served in the Italian army during World War I. After that, he got hitched, and went back to France and opened up a paint store. What!?  So, the man who fought for Italy in WWI, stole one of France’s most prized icons in the name of Italian nationalism and pretty much got out of it without any punishment, decides to open up a paint store in France?   Clearly, Mr. Peruggia’s testicles were enormous.  Much bigger than his brain.