In August 1781, the case of Brom and Bett vs. Ashley went to the jury. The year before, Mum Bett, a slave in the Ashley house since 1742, was struck by her mistress. Mum Bett left the house and refused to return. Bett had overheard conversations about the new Massachusetts constitution that included the clause, "All men are created equal" and argued that the clause applied to her. When the jury agreed, slavery was effectively abolished in the state of Massachusetts. Mum Bett took the name of Elizabeth Freeman and went to work in the employ of her lawyer. (More inside)
posted to MetaFilter by forrest at 12:44 PM on August 10, 2007 (34 comments)

I have to assume the only reason you're reading this right now and not busy home curing & eating bacon is because nobody has shown you how. Let's fix that.
posted to MetaFilter by jonson at 5:44 PM on August 9, 2007 (106 comments)

Someone puts a video camera on a Japanese sushi bar conveyor belt. You can tell it's in Japan because it doesn't get stolen as it travels around the bar. Via b3ta.
posted to MetaFilter by Mwongozi at 12:37 PM on May 25, 2007 (103 comments)

John Petrucci of Dream Theater is pretty much amazing. His gear can control the heat of the sun. Additionally, Yngwie is your new God.
posted to MetaFilter by KevinSkomsvold at 8:35 PM on May 12, 2007 (48 comments)

In The Air Tonight. Acapella R&B group Naturally 7 perform their version of the Phil Collins classic on a Paris Metro.
posted to MetaFilter by empath at 2:09 PM on February 17, 2007 (77 comments)

fghdfhdfg
posted to MetaTalk by goliche at 5:21 PM on November 22, 2001 (50 comments)

Hope me put back together this CZ 82
posted to Ask Metafilter by bh at 5:56 PM on February 13, 2007 (6 comments)

Wired: What We Don't Know How did life begin? What's the universe made of? Why do we sleep? Is the universe actually made of information? How does the brain produce consciousness? Why do we still have big questions? 42 of the biggest unanswered questions in science.
posted to MetaFilter by loquacious at 1:07 AM on January 26, 2007 (45 comments)

What kind of paint should I use to replace the stickers on a Rubik's Cube?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Stickfigure at 7:43 AM on July 9, 2006 (11 comments)