› added 12 years ago

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TIL the tradition of “women and children first” protocol is a legacy from the Birkenhead, a ship that ran into a dangerous reef, and whose soldiers famously stood firm allowing the women and children to board the boats safely as there were not enough serviceable lifeboats for all the passengers.

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p8vLe TIL that Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on 16 June 1963, where she spent three days orbiting the Earth 48 times, and is the only woman to have completed a solo space mission
By1d TIL the Royal Navy executed an admiral for not trying hard enough, despite being brave and loyal. This inspired Voltaire’s quip “it is good to kill an admiral from time to time, in order to encourage the others”.
KYJVw TIL that, Great Wall of China expansion project is believed to be funded by lottery
16QO7 TIL that the same man, William A. Mitchell, invented Tang, Cool Whip, and Pop Rocks.
JEN8 TIL that rapper DMX impersonated a federal agent and broke through a gate in order to attempt to steal a car from JFK Airport during a coke binge.