› added 1 month ago

11

TIL There is an actual Rhode Island in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Despite being the state's namesake and the island's "original" name, no one calls it that, and the locals have colloquially renamed it to Aquidneck Island.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

QNlKk TIL queen bumblebees are the only bumblebees to survive winter. Since queens are necessary to start colonies in the springtime, killing an existing bee colony (with future queens) can destroy several generations of bumblebees.
9KjB TIL France is the only country in Europe to be completely self-sufficient in basic food production.
oBAlA TIL the word 'assassin' comes from the order of Hashashins, a sect from the middle ages. Young boys were believed to be shown paradise by giving them cannabis (hashish). The leader would ask them to e.g. kill someone, 'so he could get them back to paradise' afterwards. They complied.
JYKg8 TIL that in a three year period from 1977-1980 Magic Johnson’s teams won a high school state championship, an NCAA championship, and an NBA championship. He was also named NBA Finals MVP, and NCAA final four most outstanding player.
K7RQ TIL Michelangelo had forged Roman antiques to help start his career as an artist