As we have seen, the use of fertility drugs – which became commonplace in the late 20th century – has increased greatly the instances of multiple births occurring.

Previously, the birth of twins was a rare event. Triplets were so uncommon that most people had never seen a set of them.

Consequently, when Annie and Andrew Smart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had triplets on Jan. 1, 1952, it attracted national media attention.

The three new babies brought the couple’s total to eleven. Among the previous eight was a set of twins and – something so rare it boggles the mind – another set of triplets!

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