› added 5 years ago

1671

TIL there was concern that red headed people with blue eyes were going extinct because only around 17% of people have blue eyes, and 1-2% have red hair -- the odds of having both traits is around 0.17%.

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WklA9 TIL during the Battle of Bomarsund in 1854, Charles Davis Lucas tossed a live Russian artillery shell overboard before it exploded. He would be awarded the Victoria Cross and ultimately ascend to the rank of Rear Admiral before retiring in 1873, dying in 1914 at the age of 80
jNpPa TIL that the character Guinan in Star Trek:TNG, played by Whoopi Goldberg, was named after an American actress, producer and entrepreneur, Texas Guinan. A colorful character who would greet her speakeasy’s patrons, “Hello, Sucker! Come on in and leave your wallet on the bar."
b9ERj TIL that the term "OK" achieved national prominence in 1840, when Democrats claimed during the election that it stood for "Old Kinderhook," a nickname for incumbent President Van Buren. In response, Whig opponents attributed OK ("Oll Korrect," or all correct) to the bad spelling of Andrew Jackson.
R5bp7 TIL that Louis IX of France, also known as Saint Louis, was viewed as “primus inter pares” (first among equals) among the kings and rulers of Europe as he commanded the largest army and ruled the largest and wealthiest kingdom, the centre of European art and intellectual thought at the time.
lo8gK TIL in Victorian times, ice cream was sold in small quantities called a 'penny lick' wherein a small amount of ice cream was placed onto a licking glass, which the customer would lick clean and return. It was banned due to concerns about spreading TB, as the glass was not washed between customers.