› added 4 years ago

927

TIL there was a paramilitary socialist group in Canada in the 1960s that wanted to overthrow their provincial government with an armed revolution. The only peace time use of Canada's War Measures Act was to stop them. The group was in contact with the KGB, and the top members were exiled to Cuba.

Read more thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

via reddit.com

LkGaQ TIL About Simo Häyhä, a Finnish Sniper during the Winter War. Despite not using a scope on his outdated rifle, he became the dealiest sniper in history. He was once shot in the head by an anti-tank rifle, but only fell into a coma after revenge. When he woke up, the Soviets retreated.
dDymQ TIL that John Quincy Adams, who served as President of the United States from 1825-1829, was then elected to the US House of Representatives and served from 1830-1848. His motivations included a loathing of Andrew Jackson, hatred of slavery, and boredom after his Presidential term ended.
lyZA TIL theres a high school in Louisiana whose mascot has been Snoopy the dog since 1966, and remains the only school in the nation to have received this right from Chuck Schultz
rRPB1 TIL that German chemist Friedrich Wöhler was the first person to synthesize an organic compound in 1828 by accidentally crystalizing urea. This refuted a widespread belief (vitalism) that organic compounds contained a mysterious, soul-like "vital spark" and could never be synthesized.
w6M1 TIL The U.S. Armed forces maintains military presence in 150 countries (out of 196), including more than 50,000 troops still in Germany.