› added 6 years ago

1480

TIL that in 1508, Autun, France pressed charges on rats for destroying barley crops. The lawyer representing the rats argued that the court's summons wasn't specific enough to his clients, and that Autun's cat population made it unsafe for his clients to come to court. The rats were acquitted.

PrxJ TIL Richard Branson started Virgin Air by putting up a sign when his plane was cancelled, selling tickets. He used the money raised from the tickets to rent an airplane.
69oMm TIL of the Pierce Arrow armoured anti aircraft lorry deployed by the Royal Marine Artillery in the First World War. Used from 1915 to 1917, it shot down over twenty enemy aircraft, having take out the first of these within two days of deployment.
NXlZ6 TIL I learned if the US government shuts down, ICE agents will have to work as essential employees but they will not be paid until the shutdown ends.
Oo9XY TIL Thomas Grasso's last meal was two dozen mussels, two dozen clams, a Burger King double cheeseburger, six barbecued ribs, two strawberry shakes, half a pumpkin pie, diced strawberries, and spaghetti. His final statement: I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this
p8KPQ TIL that in ancient Rome, wearing pants was considered barbaric as the "civilised" cultures of the Mediterranean didn't need them. As the Empire expanded north, the Romans would be forced to adopt pants, particularly those of Celtic design, lest they freeze their balls.