› added 1 year ago

61

TIL about Demetrio Stefanopoli; an alleged descendant of the Byzantine House of Komnenos whose claim was recognised by the French monarchy. Napoleon apparently wanted to use him to help start a Greek rebellion, even considering him for the Greek throne. His niece was the lover of Honoré de Balzac.

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kJGn4 TIL In Canada, pepper spray is illegal. If used on someone and causing serious bodily harm or environmental damage, it can lead to penalties of up to a $500,000 fine and up to 3 years in prison.
ZpEa4 TIL that potato “eyes”come from undifferentiated stem cells that can sense their environment and decide whether to grow roots or shoots based on where they are. If they are underground they become roots, above ground they become shoots and grow leaves.
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