› added 11 years ago

144

TIL despite the existence of the Pan-American Highway, it is not possible to drive between South America and Central America in a normal passenger car. Swamps, indigenous peoples, FARC rebels, and environmental considerations have left the 100-km “Darién Gap” undeveloped.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

pkd8 TIL that a 19th century governor of Greece introduced potatoes to the country. Initially, he tried giving seed potatoes to skeptical farmers. When this failed, he piled them in public under guard, convincing people of their value. They stole the potatoes and planted them.
7Djx TIL the African nation of Eritrea is so repressive, residents have to get a special permit to have more than 2 guests over for dinner; if they fail to do so, their dinner is considered an illegal gathering and they may be jailed
5YwdP TIL that in 1920, U.S. Mint employee Orville Harrington stole an estimated $80,000 in gold by methodically hiding the bars in his hollow wooden leg.
wo6ZW TIL that President Nixon had an "Enemies List" targeting over 200 political opponents, activists, journalists, and celebrities, including Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, and John Lennon, with plans to use IRS audits and FBI surveillance against them. The list was exposed during the Watergate scandal.
ADWdx TIL during Roman spectacles it was popular to reenact historic battles or myths. Sometimes the myth of Icarus would be done by strapping wings on a slave and throwing them from the roof of the stadium. One time the man landed so close to Emporer Nero that he was splattered with his blood.