1) The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war during the Cold War.

2) The concept of compound interest can be attributed to the ancient Babylonians, who used it in their banking practices.

3) The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee has been translated into more than 40 languages and has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

4) The Victoria Amazonica water lily has leaves that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in diameter, making it one of the largest aquatic plants.