› added 8 years ago

279

TIL The White House didn’t have a 4th of July celebration until 1801. Cherokee chiefs were invited and cock fighting was part of the celebration.

Read more whitehousehistory.org

via reddit.com

VME04 TIL when you are eating a pineapple, it is technically eating you as well. Pineapple is the only known source of Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme found in all parts of the fruit.
wonnY TIL that Abraham Lincoln delivered a captivating speech that was so engrossing that reporters in attendance ceased taking notes, resulting in a loss of the speech's content.
yQevl TIL people in Medieval times accused of crimes could opt for a "trial by ordeal" where they stick their hands in boiling water, if innocent, God would stop them burning. The priests who administered this would secretly cool the water beforehand if they thought the defendant was innocent
GYv0g TIL an "ell" is an archaic word for arm and also means a unit of length corresponding to one's forearm. It's also where the word "elbow" ("arm-bend") comes from.
KYLma TIL in the town of Kurri Kurri Australia they have an annual festival for mullets. Mulletfest is an event that honours the best Mullet cuts in various styles and categories, including 'everyday', 'grubby', 'ranga' (red hair), 'vintage', 'extreme', 'international' and 'junior'.