› added 3 years ago

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TIL about 'Bakers Torpedo', an ELECTRIC car that raced to 100mph in 1902 beating the previous land speed record by 25mph

BgWnb TIL Sadleria cyatheoides, or ʻamaʻu, is a fern endemic to Hawaii and is found in lava flows, open areas, and wet forests on all major islands. the ferns young fronds are often tinted red to protect against harmful sun rays
6k1J TIL that the American flag is reversed on military uniforms because when the soldier/marine/etc marches forward, the US flag must face forward. It must not be seen to be in retreat, therefore, the stars are actually on the right side of the badge, so they face forward direction always.
dD5Qr TIL Michael Keaton's real name is Michael Douglas. When he moved to Los Angeles, there was already an actor named Michael Douglas, so Keaton flipped through a phone book until he saw the name Keaton and decided to make it his stage name.
VBXZG TIL when Britain entered WWI, J. R. R. Tolkien's relatives were shocked that he didn't volunteer for the British Army, which was expected of young men at the time. He later recalled, "It was a nasty cleft to be in for a young man with too much imagination and little physical courage."
6EORY TIL Hernán Cortés arrived in the New World in 1519 with six hundred men and, upon arrival, made history by destroying his ships. This sent a clear message to his men: There is no turning back. His men would have to conquer or die. Two years later, he succeeded in his conquest of the Aztec empire.