› added 10 months ago

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TIL that in the 1920's, a man was given 1 year to live by doctors, if he moved to a warm climate. He built a house in Bartow, FL with a lot of unique features and designs, and would go on to live to the 1970's. It has become known as "The Wonderhouse" and become a local tourist attraction.

KY0vB TIL PFC Jimmy W. Phipps, A US Marine was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action that occured on May 27, 1969 in Vietnam. He saved the Lives of 2 other Marines in a rice paddy field by shielding them from the blast of an ignited secondary enemy explosive device and was mortally wounded.
gMQlA TIL about Vivien Thomas, a black lab technician, who, in the 30s through the 60s, helped his surgeon partner invent heart surgery.
KYXy6 TIL Paula Baniszewski, who participated in torturing and murdering Sylvia Likens in 1965, attempted to escape prison twice in 1971.
lojd5 TIL singer-songwriter James Blunt served as a captain in the British Army. During the Kosovo war he took along his guitar which was strapped to the outside of his tank and would perform for troops and locals. He also intended to refuse an order to attack Russians to prevent WW3.
Z8JJQ TIL prohibition agent Izzy Einstein bragged that he could find liquor in any city in under 30 minutes. In Chicago it took him 21 min. In Atlanta 17, and Pittsburgh just 11. But New Orleans set the record: 35 seconds. Einstein asked his taxi driver where to get a drink, and the driver handed him one.