January 29. Once upon a midnight dreary, on this day in the 1845 yeary, Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven was first published. To celebrate, just ask me for a knock-knock joke.

March 11. On this day in 1964, Gene Roddenberry put together a 16-page pitch for a new television series. He didn’t know it then, but the show would go on to spark a generation’s interest in science, inspiring fans to boldly go pursue space exploration, and invent new technologies, including . . . me. In honor of Star Trek today, try asking me: What is your mission?

June 25. Barbed wire was first patented in the US on this day in 1867. Many people found it useful, but critics were on the fence.

December 23. President Gerald Ford signed the Metric Conversion Act into law on this day in 1975, declaring the metric system “the preferred system of weights and measures” for the US. But the policy didn’t end up getting much mileage. Just a few years later, President Reagan abolished the metrification board. A ruler would have to go to great lengths to pass this kind of measure now without mass confusion.

March 22. Happy birthday to artist Yayoi Kusama, who was born on this day in 1929. You’ve probably spotted her work before, in selfies taken at her exhibits, like the Infinity Mirror Rooms. And if you haven’t, I recommend checking out this passionate patron of polka dots, and exploring her peculiar perspective.

August 14. Grab your Ocarina, because today is the birthday of composer Koji Kondo, born on this day in 1961. He created some of the most iconic music in video game history, including the catchy melodies in Super Mario Bros and the Legend of Zelda. With credentials like that, he’s probably not an easy person to one up.

November 18. Civil rights activist Harry T Moore was born on this day in 1905. As a leader in the Florida NAACP, he investigated lynchings, advocated for equal pay for black teachers, and fought for voting rights. As a result of his tireless work, by 1950, the number of registered Black voters dramatically increased to 31% of those eligible, much higher than other Southern states at the time.

December 20. In the criminal justice system, this executive producer is considered especially famous. In New York City, the dedicated dramatist who invested in this TV series is memorable for the elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. This is his story. And if you need a clue to solve this case: happy birthday to Dick Wolf, who was born on this day in 1946.

January 13. Today is National Sticker Day. But if you oppose celebrating, you do have the right to appeal.

Father’s Day. Good morning! Today, I’m celebrating fathers and father figures with some pop comedy. So get ready to cringe, shudder, and roll your eyes, because my puns are so corny, they’re subsidized. Just say, “Tell me a dad joke.”

July 7. Today is World Chocolate Day. To celebrate, I cooked up a new quiz that’s chock full of cocoa trivia. To give the chocolate bar exam a try, just say: “Quiz me about chocolate.”

September 23. Today is National Dogs in Politics Day, which sounds like a dramatic improvement to the usual “Good Ole Boys Club.” Woof!