› added 4 years ago

352

TIL that during the heyday of The Sopranos FBI wiretaps of the real mafia revealed that the show was so realistic the real mobsters thought there was a connected guy feeding story lines for the show

Read more mentalfloss.com

via reddit.com

l7pKa TIL that the Russian Soyuz rocket, which has been in service since 1963 and has a success rate of 98%, begins its ignition process by firing wooden sticks inside the combustion chamber. While not quite as simple, it's essentially huge wooden matches and it's extremely reliable.
a8A7L TIL that making lifestyle, and dietary changes, such as drinking more water, regulating sodium intake, etc. do help in regulating blood pressure
gMvOX TIL that Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden all have a higher percentage of English speakers than Canada.
VMOjQ TIL With huge financial incentives from the United States, Egypt's Mubarak remained committed to the Camp David treaty, despite misgivings about dealing with Israel. To keep the peace at home, Mubarak instituted emergency laws to protect Egypt's stability and security
woPEP TIL Greeks put up protective magic hermai - stone block bearded male heads with genitals "at the appropriate height" - marked crossings, boundaries, outside houses and at public buildings, and were also signposts with distances. Outside Athenian homes hermai were rubbed with olive oil for good luck.