› added 6 years ago

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TIL that there is a position in the House of Lords called Black Rod. Their job is to summon the House of Commons and have a door slammed in their face, showing the people's power over the monarchy.

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e0ek5 TIL: During WW2 black U.S soldiers stationed in England were drinking in a pub with local people when U.S Military police arrived to stop them getting served and arrest them for not segregating. The white local people in the pub defended the black men, which eventually led to a riot and gunshots.
4Jwb TIL that MIT students found out that by buying $600,000 worth of lottery tickets from Massachusetts’ Cash WinAll lottery they could get a 10-15% return on investment. In 5 years they managed to game $8 million out of the lottery through this method.
78OgX TIL The first man to finish the 1904 Olympic marathon rode in a car half the race. The actual winner had to be carried across the finish line after his coaches gave him a mix of brandy, eggs and strychnine. 4th place stole 2 peaches from a spectator, ate rotten apples from an orchard and took a nap.
rymy TIL the first time “Instant Replay” was used was in the 1960 winter olympics. In the men’s slalom event, officials who were unsure if a skier had missed a gate asked CBS if they could review tape of the event. This request gave CBS the idea for what is now known as instant replay.
MK98 TIL in Sept 1940 the UK sent the US documents for improved radar, the jet engine, feasibility of an atomic bomb, rocket designs, plastic explosives & more; tech that would lead to victory, the nuclear age, jet age & said to be the “most valuable cargo ever brought to our shores”; in a single trunk.