› added 4 years ago

190

TIL that conditions in Louisiana's infamous "Parchman Farm" prison were so bad that in 1952 thirty six prisoners severed their own Achilles tendons out of despair

Read more independent.co.uk

via reddit.com

VxOG TIL The origin of french fries is a hotly contested issue between Belgium and France. Belgium claims a 1781 family manuscript proves they were invented there, while France claims Paris street vendors invented the dish just before the French revolution.
p8yMZ TIL during the Battle of Germantown, a little terrier was seen wandering between the American and British lines; British General Lord Howe's dog had gotten loose. It was taken to Washington to keep as a trophy, instead he fed and brushed him, and formally returned the dog under a flag of truce
d84nB TIL MI6 thought a report submitted by a false agent regarding the Iraqi Chemical Weapons Program was legitimate, until they realized it bore a striking resemblance to aspects of the movie "The Rock"
LQLn0 TIL that former presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day; July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
5Yyvk TIL: the theme song to the Andy Griffith Show has lyrics.