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TIL Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences couldn't legally attend college, so she did it illegally, going to what was known as the 'Flying University', a secret organization.

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wLK4M TIL it used to be improper for women to smoke, but a single PR stunt changed all that. In 1929, women were hired to light up while marching in a parade, calling the cigarettes "Torches of Freedom." So smoking became a symbol of equal rights, and sales skyrocketed.
1YAX TIL the Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar, better known as Caligula and famed for his madness and cruelty, was given the nickname as a child when he was dressed up in little soldier’s boots, or caligae. It effectively means “Bootykins.”
gMN4y TIL about NBA star Brian Williams, a polymath who following the end of his basketball career changed his name to Bison Dele, traveled the world having adventures (bazookas were involved). After learning to sail he bought a catamaran and set sail from Hawaii toward Tahiti. He was never seen again.
GADW1 TIL there is something called "Sazae-san syndrome" in Japan. Every Sunday, at 6:30pm, an animated show called Sazae-san airs, and when it ends many Japanese people are struck with feelings of melancholy because they are reminded the weekend is coming to an end.
neXgb TIL of Dmitry Argarkov who scanned a credit card agreement, edited it, and returned it with a 0% interest rate and no limit in the new terms. The bank signed and approved without reading and a judge held them to it.