› added 6 years ago

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TIL Mexico's official name is the United Mexican States

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NXg1P TIL there was a secret hospital during WW2 that was ran by a female doctor Franja (the hospital was also named by her) where they also treaded 2 US pilots that were shot down. When the doctor got married, they used parts of the paraschute for her wedding blouse.
9wljB TIL the 1902 Rickshaw Controversy. After colonizing the Philippines, Americans tried to "improve" urban public transportation by replacing privately operated horse-cabs with publicly-funded Rickshaws. It failed as Filipinos thought it turned them into beasts of burden, and revolted against the idea.
8wOK TIL that Mel Brooks was nominated for a Kennedy Center Award by President Bush. He refused the award, saying “Well, I’m going to wait for another president, if I’m still alive, if you don’t mind.”
awVdy TIL about “The Great Filter”, a theoretically point in evolution that only a minuscule fraction of species could evolve past. This may explain why we have never contacted other high functioning species. Also, we do not know if humans have yet to reach it, or have already passed it.
wbRo TIL Tom Hanks gained 50 pounds at the beginning of the filming of Castaway and lost it during a year break to make it look like he was living on the island for years