› added 6 years ago

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TIL that the "worst disaster" in British Military History was the Battle of Singapore, when the British had their sea guns the wrong way, expecting Japan to invade by sea as the jungles of Malaya were impenetrable. Instead they landed and invaded on bicycle, catching everyone off guard.

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VoDD TIL at a memorial service for Asimov Kurt Vonnegut said about the famous atheist: “Isaac is up in Heaven now.” because “That was the funniest thing I could have said to an audience of humanists.” He got roaring laughter.
Mg60 TIL there was a Jewish boxer named Salamo Arouch imprisoned at Auschwitz. While there, he was forced to fight bouts against other prisoners, the losers of which were sent to the gas chambers or shot. He survived over 2 years and 200 bouts, eventually being released when the camp was liberated.
kOoyd TIL Hiroaki Aoki moved to NYC from Japan where he would work 7 days a week in an ice cream truck he rented in Harlem. Using the $10,000 he saved from the business, he convinced his father to invest in a four-table teppanyaki restaurant which would be named "Benihana" after the red Safflower.
XExrE TIL in military justice, the charge of "Conduct Unbecoming" is actually shortened from its full title, "Conduct Unbecoming An Officer & A Gentleman"
BrbJe TIL 'mana' is the spiritual life force energy or healing power that permeates the universe, in the culture of the Melanesians and Polynesians. Anyone or thing can have Mana. It is a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being a source of power.