› added 8 years ago

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TIL that the US Government Gave Indiana University One Million Dollars to Study Memes

R5lV8 TIL that Richard Harvey, the recorder player on the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, did not know the track "A Window to the Past" would begin with a recorder solo until the orchestra started playing the piece in the recording studio.
w598 TIL that the American accent of the English language was actually the same as the British accent during colonization. Over time, the British accent kept changing while the American stayed almost unchanged.
Brjje TIL that the US Army has historical protocols associated with using a sword to cut cake. Traditionally, the oldest and youngest soldiers are chosen to cut the cake in some ceremonies as a way of linking the past with the future.Swords dating from the Revolutionary War are often used at such events.
JY84k TIL in the ancient epic Mahabharata (c.a 400 BCE), the King Yudisthira reaches paradise but is told his dog is not allowed in. Shocked that his dog could not be allowed in, the King choses to return to Earth or go to Hell. The guard then reveals it was only a test of his virtue, and allows both in.
YQ7r TIL in 2010, 7-year-old Charlie Simpson made a cycle ride to raise funds for Haiti earthquake victims. He hoped to raise £500 for the Haiti earthquake relief by cycling 5 miles around a local park, but he eventually raised £145,000 after his efforts touched the hearts of people around the world.