Interesting Facts - Page 218

The pope is sometimes referred to as "Pontifex Maximus". But this title was originally held by the chief priest in the pagan religion of ancient Rome. Julius Caesar was one notable holder of the office.

Secretariat is often considered the greatest race horse of all time. His heart weighed 22 pounds, 2.5 times that of a normal horse.

Frances Kelsey was a heroic doctor who reviewed drugs for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Her big contribution to humanity was when she refused to authorize thalidomide as a treatment for morning sickness during pregnancy. As a result, very few Americans suffered the terrible birth defects caused by thalidomide, while thousands of people in other countries did.

Sailors used to stop at the Galapagos Islands to fill their holds with tortoises. Tortoises can live for up to a year with no food or water, and so provided a source of fresh meat during long sea voyages.

The pope is famously guarded by the Swiss Guard. But it's not just a name. The guards must actually be Swiss. They must also be Catholic, unmarried, between 19–30 years old, and at least 174 cm in height.