› added 11 years ago

393

TIL Vietnamese people would adopt the names of kings to show their loyalty. The Nguyen Dynasty was the last Vietnamese Dynasty, explaining why Nguyen is a popular last name.

Read more ibtimes.com

via reddit.com

p8axG TIL that in 2017 astronomers detected 100 Earths' worth of gold being forged in space. They revealed the first-ever detection of two neutron stars colliding in space. "You smash these two things together at one-third the speed of light, and that's how you make gold," said astronomer Duncan Brown.
nWWwd TIL that dandelions are edible and are actually really nutritious and can be eaten raw
oBmbo TIL about the "Flynn Effect" which shows the average IQ is rising steadily each generation. IQ tests are continually made harder to keep the average at 100. Today's children that take tests from past decades are averaging significantly higher than 100.
MwwV TIL that the “B” in “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”, who coined the term “fractal”, stands for “Benoit B. Mandelbrot”.
QJwPp TIL of Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar, who expelled European powers, outlawed Christianity, repelled an invasion by the French & British, reinstated slavery and whose harsh rule led to the death of millions.