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TIL The Portuguese military was born from the Templar Knights. King Dinis offered refuge when they were exterminated. Later, Queen Maria secularized them, and when the monarchy was abolished the grand master became the first president. Today, the order is awarded to valiant soldiers.

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QNdp9 TIL that in 1923, jockey Frank Hayes won a horse race at Belmont Park while being dead. He suffered a heart attack mid-race, but his body stayed in the saddle, and the horse crossed the finish line in first place.
Ggr4 TIL: In 1187, as a symbol of unity between their two countries, Richard I of England and Philip II of France spent a night in the same bed.
BMAL TIL A man named Will Purvis survived a hanging because the noose became untied. He had previously told all 12 jurors that he would “Live longer than the lot of them”. He died 3 days after the last juror had died.
e04dk TIL about Queen Isabella of Valois, who was married at 6-years-old and widowed at 11. She reportedly had a close platonic relationship with her husband Richard II and was heartbroken when he died, refusing attempts to force her to remarry as she was 'in mourning'.
awNEo TIL Andrea Bocelli has been blind since he was 12, when he was hit in the eye by a soccer ball which caused a brain hemorrhage. Doctors tried leeches as a last resort but unfortunately were unsuccessful.