› added 9 years ago

506

TIL that there are 3,278 people in America serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses

Read more aclu.org

via reddit.com

nWam9 TIL in 1962 there was a serious laughing epidemic in Tanzania that spread across towns and caused people to laugh uncontrollably. It lasted for several months.
78MZL TIL that only 15-20% soldiers fired their weapons during WWII. Those who would not fire did not run or hide—in many cases they were willing to risk greater danger to rescue comrades, get ammunition, or run messages.
DQ9gr TIL Depending on the type, contact lenses can last anywhere from a day to a week or two to a few months
YpZKr TIL US President Benjamin Harrison had electric lights installed in the White House, but would sleep with the lights on because he was too afraid to touch the switches.
oRj4W TIL in the 1980s, doughnut shops in Southern California started using pink-colored boxes because they were cheaper than plain white boxes due to there being a large amount leftover of pink-dyed cardboard stock just sitting around, taking up warehouse space at restaurant supply company Westco.