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TIL of Claude Ruggieri who launched the first living animals into the air by rocket, returning them safely to earth by parachute. In 1830, French authorities stopped his attempt at the first human rocket flight when the test subject was found to be an 11 year old boy.

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9Y4DG TIL that after visiting a prison in Norway that treated prisoners humanely, a warden from North Dakota went back and reformed her prison based on Norway's model. It later saw sharp decline in violence against inmates and threats against staff
kJlwg TIL the CIA tested the SR-71 radar signature by mounting it to a pole in the desert (Area 51). It was removed daily just before the Soviet satellite passed above. But since a shadow was created on the hot desert dirt - the temperature differential exposed the exact shape of the jet to the Soviets
BraLe TIL African countries like Kenya struggle in getting McDonalds because of difficulties in tracing its supply chain. Ghana’s average disposable income has been declared too low by McDonald’s to enter the market and it cancelled plans to open in Zimbabwe in 1999
Gkm1 TIL that in Thailand there is a smile that specifically expresses “Yes, I know I owe you the money but I don’t have it right now”, and at least 12 others with specific meanings.
M76pB TIL Venice is said to have been founded in 421 AD by the Venti refugees fleeing Vandal invaders, and in the following years were joined by those escaping Lombard invaders. Settling in the sparsely populated marshlands and lagoons by the adriatic sea.