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Not every Elvis fan knows these 10 facts about the King.

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What can be said about Elvis Presley that hasn’t been said already? Few lives have left a mark as indelible in modern world culture as his has. His musical talent and on-screen charisma will never be equaled, and still, hundreds of Elvis impersonators happily continue to try to imitate the King’s dulcet tones.

We have selected ten pivotal moments in Elvis’ life that both pay tribute to an iconic musician’s career and help us understand the human side of this Rock & Roll legend. Enjoy!

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Let’s start from the very beginning, in the city of Tupelo, Mississippi. On January 8, 1946, an eleven-year-old Elvis received his very first guitar as a birthday gift. While some accounts say that he was expecting a different gift like a bicycle or a rifle, Elvis quickly took a liking to it. He started taking his guitar daily to school, and classmates and family described him as "crazy about music."

Elvis was an avid fan of a radio show hosted by local country singer Mississippi Slim and frequently visited him at the radio station. Slim took him under his wing and, by the time Elvis was 12, he scheduled two performances on his show. While his shyness got the better of him on the first try, Elvis’ voice was broadcast on Slim’s show for the first time.

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We’ll skip forward a little bit, up to 1954. Fresh out of high school, Elvis recorded his very first demos at Sun Records. Although much didn’t come out of these recordings, they made Elvis appear on the radar of his first management agency, Hank Snow Attractions. In 1956, Elvis recorded his first album, titled Elvis Presley, which quickly reached number 1 on Billboard's pop album chart.

1956 would prove to be a pivotal year for Elvis since it would mark his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. This was a troublesome performance for many reasons: Sullivan was recovering from a car accident he suffered and Elvis had to be recorded in Los Angeles since he was working on filming Love Me Tender. Nevertheless, the show was a huge success, attracting the highest ratings for any television variety show.

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If you ever happen to stop by the city of Fort Smith, Arkansas, there’s a very peculiar attraction that you might want to visit if you are a true Elvis fan: On March 25, 1958, Elvis Presley received his first buzz cut in this city, the day after he enlisted on the U.S. Army. To this date, the good people of Fort Smith remember this moment on Elvis Haircut Day (yes, that’s the name of an actual holiday), held every year around March 25th at the Camp Chaffee Barbershop Museum.

Elvis served in the Army between 1958 and 1960, reaching the rank of sergeant. Though he was offered the chance to serve under the Special Services Unit (on which he would perform for the troops), Elvis decided to enlist as a regular soldier, where he was deployed to Germany. This move helped him earn the respect of hundreds of people who were previously horrified by his rock & roll music.

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Since we’ve been mostly focusing on the King’s music career, let’s take a second to reminisce on Elvis’ many acting credits. Inspired by legendary actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando, Elvis made his film debut in 1956, playing the youngest of the Reno brothers in the western Love Me Tender. While the movie was named after Elvis’ iconic song, this was the first and only time in his career in which he didn’t receive top billing.

What followed that first role was a fruitful career that included over 30 films and numerous appearances on television shows. Some of his most unforgettable roles include inmate Vince Everett in Jailhouse Rock, private Tulsa McLean in G.I. Blues, and gambler Lucky Jackson in Viva Las Vegas, considered by fans and critics alike to be his best film.

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It was during his time in Germany with the military that Elvis met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu, who would soon be known by the world as Priscilla Presley. The couple stayed together until their divorce in 1973, and they had one daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

In 1957, Elvis unveiled one of the other biggest loves in his life: "Graceland", his mansion in Memphis. While nowadays Graceland is nothing short of a cultural icon, becoming the first rock-related site to be declared a National Historic Landmark, at the time it symbolized Elvis’ jump into an international superstar.

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Elvis is mostly associated with Vegas due to the above-mentioned film Viva Las Vegas, remembered for the remarkable chemistry between the King and Swedish-American actress Ann-Margret. However, Elvis’ relationship with "Sin City" goes above and beyond that: Priscilla and Elvis got married in Las Vegas, he filmed two of his most successful films in this city, and, on two separate occasions thirteen years apart, the King was offered lucrative residencies to play on iconic hotels in the Las Vegas Strip.

Elvis' first residency was when he was 21 years old, in 1956. This series of shows is not remembered as a huge success: Elvis was particularly popular among younger audiences, and the more conservative guests of the New Frontier Hotel didn’t take too kindly to his energetic music. However, in 1969, the King returned to Las Vegas for a residency in the International Hotel. Although Elvis was initially nervous to perform again after his previous experience, these shows were a huge success, and the hotel signed him for an extremely lucrative five-year deal to perform every February and August.

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We’ll take a little break to delve into Elvis’ goofier side and showcase a few of his quirkier anecdotes. Let’s start with the King’s contribution to the culinary world. Any self-respecting diner will know what to serve you if you order an "Elvis" sandwich: a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich. This odd delicacy is credited both as being invented by the King and as his favorite sandwich.

These hearty sandwiches must have been the perfect fuel for another of Elvis’ hobbies: karate. While stationed in Germany, he started training in this martial art, which he continued to do for decades. Elvis reached a seventh-degree black belt and even opened his very own training center, called the "Tennessee Karate Institute."

Let’s end this interlude with one of Elvis's most famous companions. He was known for his love of animals and cared for many animals during his life, including pet horses, birds, and dogs. Among these pets, one of these animals shines as the strangest of the King’s furry friends: Scatter, the pet chimpanzee, who could be usually found perched on Elvis’ shoulder, or dressed in various funny outfits.

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Just like with Las Vegas, Elvis’ love for Hawaii is very well documented. His first concerts at the old Honolulu Stadium, held in November 1957, mark the start of the love story between Elvis and "the Aloha State." He frequently traveled to Hawaii to perform or to film: three of his movies (Blue Hawaiʻi, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Paradise, Hawaiian Style) were all filmed on the islands.

However, Elvis and his family also visited Hawaii to vacation and relax on its otherworldly beaches. According to biographers, he took inspiration from the island to redecorate the den at Graceland, now known as "The Jungle Room." If you ever happen to stop by the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, a place where Elvis performed the iconic "Aloha from Hawaii" concert in 1973, you will come across a real-life bronze statue of the King in his legendary singing pose.

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Let’s talk about a meeting that no one saw coming. In December 1970, while on a trip to Washington, D.C., Elvis visited the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon. The totally impromptu meeting took place in the Oval Office itself and ended in an iconic photo of Elvis and Nixon shaking hands.

The story of this meeting is as bizarre as the encounter itself. Elvis traveled to our nation’s capital with his collection of guns and police badges, on which he felt that a badge from the federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs would fit perfectly. Apparently, Elvis arranged the meeting through a Nixon aide (who was himself an avid Elvis fan), and he arrived at the White House wearing a purple velvet suit and gold belt buckle. He presented Nixon with an even flashier gift: a Colt .45 pistol, mounted in a display case.

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We’ll end this article on a bittersweet note. June 26 is a noteworthy date for all Elvis fans: it was both the date on which he was first called back to Sun Records in 1954 and the first night he spent at Graceland, in 1957. And, perhaps more significantly, June 26 1977 was the night of the King’s final performance, held at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis.

Hopefully, we were able to showcase the many highlights of the life of this timeless American artist, so telling the story behind Elvis’ last concert seems a fitting conclusion to this list. While reception to the concert itself was mixed, most fans were deeply moved by what they thought was a comeback from a terrible year. The King said his last words of goodbye ("We'll meet you again, God bless, adios") and, just like that, the final pages of the story of an artist who changed the world forever were written. Elvis had left the building.

ANIMAL FEVER

Are You A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing?

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Have you ever felt like you're "holding your horses" or wondered why someone would "let the cat out of the bag"? Animal idioms infuse our language with vivid imagery and humor. Their origin and the meaning behind them can be quite obscure at times, so they leave us thinking.

But you have nothing to worry about, we’ve got you covered. We’re ready to uncover the meaning behind ten idioms that include animals. Are you prime as a panther? Read on and find out!

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Picture this: You're at the bustling racetrack, eagerly listening for insider tips on the next winning horse. Suddenly, a grizzled old gambler leans in and whispers, "I heard it straight from the horse's mouth." Confused? Don't worry; this idiom simply means receiving information directly from the most reliable or authoritative source.

Its origin dates back to horse trading, where buyers would inspect a horse's teeth to determine its age and health. Thus, hearing something "straight from the horse's mouth" became synonymous with obtaining trustworthy information.

If you want to use it in a sentence, you can say: "I don't need to second-guess; I heard it straight from the horse's mouth that the project deadline has been extended."

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Now, imagine yourself as a skilled stone thrower, aiming at two birds perched on a fence. With a single, well-aimed toss, you manage to strike both birds simultaneously. You've "killed two birds with one stone." That’s for the literal meaning. Its origins trace back to ancient hunting practices, where hunters would aim to maximize their success by downing multiple targets with one stone.

Thus, this idiom represents efficiency, describing the accomplishment of two tasks with a single action. For example, "By scheduling our meeting during lunch, we can kill two birds with one stone, discuss the project and enjoy a meal together."

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Ever been in a situation where a friend accidentally spills a well-guarded secret? In that case, you might say, "You've let the cat out of the bag!" This idiom refers to mistakenly revealing confidential information.

Its origins lie in medieval marketplaces, where merchants would often deceive unsuspecting buyers by substituting valuable items with less desirable ones, like a cat in place of a piglet, hidden inside a bag. When the cat was exposed, the deception was revealed.

In a sentence, you might use it like this: "I was planning a surprise party for Sarah, but someone let the cat out of the bag, and now she knows."

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Imagine a fish flopping helplessly on dry land, desperately gasping for water. This image perfectly captures the essence of feeling out of place or uncomfortable in a particular situation, akin to being "a fish out of water."

The idiom originated from the literal struggle of fish removed from their natural habitat, highlighting the discomfort experienced when someone is in an unfamiliar environment.

Take this as an example: "As an introvert attending a loud party, I felt like a fish out of water; I just wanted to be home alone."

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These animals get more than one idiom because that’s how complex they are. In this case, you might picture them revving up to race your trusty steed, but before you can even shout "giddy-up," someone yells, "Hold your horses!" Yes, that’s what the classic phrase means.

Whether you are itching to jump the gun or charging ahead full steam, sometimes you just need to hold your horses. It’s all about taking a moment to pause, catch your breath, and maybe even rethink your game plan. When you’re raging to go, remember to rein it in and hold your horses; it might just save you from a wild outburst!

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Are you the kind of person who is up at the crack of dawn while the rest of the world is still snoozing away? You’re probably out there, seizing the day like a champ, and you snag yourself a juicy worm before anyone else even rolls out of bed. That’s an early bird catching the worm in action.

This idiom means being proactive, jumping on opportunities before they slip away and before everyone else does. So, next time you’re debating hitting that snooze button, remember that the early bird gets the worms. Try and see; maybe you score more than just breakfast!

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So, you are strolling through a quaint little china shop, marveling at delicate teacups and ornate figurines displayed on fragile shelves. Suddenly, a hulking bull bursts through the door, horns scraping against delicate porcelain, and chaos begins.

That’s the essence of the idiom "like a bull in a china shop." It is about someone who is as graceful as, well, a bull in a china shop: clumsy, reckless, and totally lacking finesse.

Think of it as trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with a sledgehammer; you’ll get the job done, but the collateral damage can be hefty. Here’s an example: "John barged into the meeting like a bull in a china shop, completely disrupting the delicate negotiations."

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Have you ever noticed bees at work? The buzzing hive, bees zipping around like they’ve got places to be and honey to make. That is exactly what it means to be "busy as a bee." These little guys are the ultimate multitaskers, flitting from flower to flower, collecting nectar, and building honeycombs like experts.

Being "busy as a bee" means you are hustling, juggling a bunch of tasks like a pro. So, next time you’ve got a million things on your plate, channel your inner bee and get buzzing. Who knows? You might just make some sweet honey along the way.

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Imagine you’re out in the pasture, chilling with your fluffy sheep pals when, suddenly, you spot a sneaky wolf among them. Yep, you read that right, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This idiom is all about folks who pretend to be something they are not, like Mr. Wolf here trying to blend in with the wooly crew.

It’s like finding out your friendly neighbor is actually a secret agent -totally unexpected. So, next time you spot someone acting all sweet and innocent, keep an eye out for those hidden fangs. You never know when you’ll spot a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

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Let’s talk about leopards now. Majestic creatures, right? Picture one prowling through the jungle, its sleek coat dotted with distinctive spots. Now, despite what those motivational posters might tell you, that leopard isn’t changing its spots anytime soon.

This idiom is all about the idea that people can’t fundamentally change who they are, no matter how hard they try. It’s like expecting a goldfish to do calculus; it ain’t gonna happen!

So, next time your buddy promises they have turned over a new leaf, take it with a grain of salt. After all, a leopard can’t change its spots, and your friend probably can’t either.