› added 1 year ago

202

TIL the name Teddy Bear comes from President Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear

Read more nps.gov

via reddit.com

KB0G TIL the reason the epidemic was called the “Spanish flu” is because neutral Spain had no wartime censorship during WWI. The press was free to report on outbreaks in Seville and Madrid, and on the illness of King Alfonso VIII. The first outbreak may have actually been in Kansas.
1Dd TIL the amount of charitable donations made by Americans roughly matches the national deficit.
AD5Nn TIL of an Indian con man, Natwarlal who "sold" the Taj Mahal and the Parliament House of India. He is often compared with Frank Abagnale and Victor Lustig.
1aPMd TIL the phrase "in the limelight" which refers to being the focus of attention comes from a 19th century device. Calcium oxide known as quicklime is heated in an intensely hot flame until it glows brightly. First as a surveying tool, it allowed for more accurate measurements.
EVKd TIL Egypt sued the Jews for the property they “borrowed” before the exodus in the court of Alexander the great the jews countersued for 400+ years of unpaid wages for 600,000 men and the egyptians promptly dropped the case