› added 10 years ago

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TIL that in 2001, a Norwegian container ship rescued 438 refugees in open ocean between Indonesia and Australia. The ship was then refused entry into Australian waters, but entered anyway. Australia then sent troops to board the ship.

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4w4a TIL there is a long forgotten 13th sidereal zodiac sign, Ophuchicus “the snake holder” Nov. 29-Dec. 17. It was cut out by the Babylonians who wanted 12 signs for compatibility with their base 60 number system.
MEE7 TIL on September 11th, 2001 when the US Airspace was shutdown following the attacks, Canada took in 255 flights bound for the USA making this known as Operation Yellow Ribbon. There were over 30,000 people on all 200 flights. Many Canadians hosted the passengers at home for several days.
x4RB TIL In 2013, A man set up a stand near Central Park selling black and white artwork for $60. The man ended up being Banksy and the original authenticated artwork sold at the stall was valued at over $200,000 each.
0dXkA TIL the term "conspiracy theory" is itself the subject of a conspiracy theory, which posits that the term was popularized by the CIA to discredit conspiratorial believers who opposed the Warren Commission Report that concluded JFK was assassinated by a lone gunman.
wLx88 TIL that Beethoven was metal af. His 5th symphony is usually played as slow as 74 BPM, but he intended it to be played at 108 BPM. He wanted his music to make the musicians and audience uncomfortable - as if "something is impending," like "this is dangerous." (Basically one of the first metalheads)