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TIL In the middle ages it was customary to fly the opposing lords banner when surrendering, to signify a changing of allegiance. The many French victories during this period led to the Capetian dynasty’s white banner becoming associated with surrender in general as the white flag.

Z8OoQ TIL Antarctica has two cultural holidays. One of which, Midwinter Day, is celebrated in June by having a dinner including lobster and ribeye steaks. Some stations also watch films about being trapped in snow, Like The Shining or The Thing.
LkdG0 TIL in 1978 a Jumbo Jet bound for JFK airport with400 passengers lost an engine and was about to crash on a crowded Athens neighborhood, but Just 57 meters above ground the pilot managed to safely land on a mountain. Based on flight data gathered afterwards, the plane crashed in every simulation
gMOMD TIL in the half-century between April 1964 and April 2013, only one issue of Mad magazine was published which didn't contain new material by cartoonist Al Jaffee.
XEebP TIL that, although the ancient Greeks had a myth in which Prometheus is tied to a rock and his liver is eaten every day by an eagle, we did NOT actually learn about "liver regeneration" (the liver's remarkable ability to regenerate itself) until the 19th century.
OG8pL TIL about court dwarfs, who were owned and traded amongst people of the court, and delivered as gifts to fellow kings and queens. They were made to stand right next to the king/queen during public appearances and ceremonies to make them look much larger and visually enhanced their powerful position.