› added 1 year ago

51

TIL that Babeuf, part of a failed coup attempt during the French Revolution, was guillotined while near death as he stabbed himself in the chest multiple times after hearing the verdict

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

8pMb TIL Bill Murray auditioned for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars
YpQ77 TIL of Louis IX, the only canonized French king and namesake of St. Louis. He ruled during the 13th c. and is most remembered for justice reform, like presumed innocence, bailiffs, and appeals. He began a golden age for France in Medieval Europe and he arbitrated many disputes between other kings.
VMnLm TIL that in the entire history of mankind it is estimated that there have been 3,000,000 shipwrecks. We have explored less than 1% of them. The Battle of the Atlantic alone, which spanned nearly six years during World War II, claimed over 3,500 merchant vessels, 175 warships, and 783 submarines.
yQOQe TIL of Gramercy Park, a private park in NYC for neighboring residents that requires a $350 key and a $7500 annual fee to enter.
wJBW TIL that the North American grey squirrel is an invasive species in Europe. After the Italian government formed a well planned eradication strategy (where the outbreak started), PETA stepped in and collapsed the program near its finish. Now the grey squirrel has spread to the rest of the continent.