› added 4 years ago

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TIL of Canadian Air Marshal Charles Roy Slemon, who saved the world from possible nuclear annihilation by breaking protocol, when on October 5th 1960, the BMEWS site in Thule, Greenland falsely detected a level 5 ICBM attack due to the rising moon.

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OGnA1 TIL that Puffball Mushrooms, which have spores the when flicked turn into a puff of smoke, has the Latin name <i> Lycoperdon </i>, literally meaning “wolf fart”.
XE8Vr TIL in 1916 New Jersey experienced numerous shark attacks, one shark even swam inland through a creek to kill two people.
yxQV TIL the concept of national parks was called the greatest idea America ever had. The idea to protect natural wonders for the enjoyment of future generations was unprecedented worldwide before Yellowstone.
E1M9w TIL That Colgate once tried to expand their product line by making frozen dinners. "Colgate Kitchen Entrees" remains one of the worst brand expansion attempts in history.
JYv78 TIL Nicholas II, last Tzar of Russia, had a Japanese tattoo of a "dragon with a black body, yellow horns, a red belly and green paws.” He got it on a trip to Japan. Later he was attacked by "Sanzo, a former samurai who fought in the Satsuma Rebellion." All this before the Russo-Japanese War.