› added 9 years ago

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TIL a theme park in Lithuania recreates life as a USSR citizen. Visitors have their belongings confiscated, wear gas masks, experience interrogation, and must learn the Soviet anthem. Their reward is a shot of vodka.

a8PaJ TIL that Switzerland is officially called the Swiss confederation and the name Switzerland has no mention in its constitution
R5Lmw TIL an annual Elephant Beauty Contest has been held in Chitwan National Park, Nepal since 2010, and the latest winner Selfiekali was selected in December 2023 for "her vibrant colours and moves"
R78w4 When you look at sporting achievements over the last decades, it seems like humans have gotten faster, better and stronger in nearly every way. Yet as David Epstein points out in this delightfully counter-intuitive talk, we might want to lay off the self-congratulation. Many factors are at play in shattering athletic records, and the development of our natural talents is just one of them.
e0DG4 TIL that the Beatles track "Helter Skelter" was recorded in chaos. While Paul recorded his vocals, George lit an ashtray on fire and held it above his head, and at the end of the song, Ringo is audibly heard throwing his drumsticks and yelling, "I've got blisters on my fingers!"
ADGN4 TIL that when Julius Ceasar was 25 he was captured by pirates in the Aegean Sea, the pirates demanded 20 silver talents as ransom not knowing who they captured. Ceasar insisted they demand 50 instead. When the ransom of 50 talents was, paid Ceasar assembled a fleet and crucified all of the pirates