› added 7 years ago

334

TIL that China experienced an episode of mango hysteria in 1968. Upon receiving them as diplomatic gifts, Mao had them distributed across the country where songs, poems, rallies and altars were built in the mangoes’ honor. A dentist was even executed for comparing a mango to a sweet potato.

Read more mentalfloss.com

via reddit.com

aKpJ TIL a teacher who developed a brain tumor became a pedophile as a result. When the tumor was removed he returned to normal but then reverted to pedophilia when the tumor regrew
8aQe4 TIL Dick Tuck, a political consultant and prankster, pulled many pranks on Richard Nixon. One included renting a huge auditorium for Nixon to speak but inviting only a few guests. He also hired a pregnant black woman to walk around in a white neighborhood with a sign reading: “Nixon’s the one!”
xVNr1 TIL that while American Sign Language is NOT universal and vastly different than even other English speaking countries, it is similar to French Sign Language because of frenchman Laurent Clerc who helped found the first school of the Deaf in America.
rN4Gy TIL The Praetorian Guard assassinated thirteen Roman emperors. "An astonishing rate of murders for a unit whose sole purpose was the protection of the emperor."
rRWdx TIL The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a parody of Daredevil, e.g. the turtles were changed in the same chemical spill and they fight “The Foot” instead of “The Hand.”