› added 5 years ago

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TIL of Björn Again, a parody band of Swedish pop group ABBA. They sing in "Swenglish" and use the stage names of Agnetha Falstart, Benny Anderwear, Frida Longstokin, Björn Volvo-us, Rutger Sonofagunn, and Ola Drumkitt. They've played private parties for Bill Gates, Russel Crowe, and Vladimir Pootin.

69p7Z TIL that Otto von Bismarck (born in 1815) recorded himself on an Edison phonograph in 1889 quoting the lyrics of 'La Marseillaise'. The first chancellor of united Germany recited the national anthem of France to mock the French, whom he had defeated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
gr7My TIL cube watermelons were invented by a Japanese graphic designer Tomoyuki Ono in 1978. The melons are grown in boxes and take the shape of the container. They were intended to fit more compactly in fridges and their shape makes them easier to cut as they don't roll.
yVoae TIL The Australian Parliament can't legally operate without a ceremonial mace, representing the monarch's authority, being present. In 1914 a member of parliament hid the mace and it was not found for two hours, and police were called in as it was assumed to have been stolen.
9LDp TIL that in 1977, a boycott was launched against Nestlé when it was found that they were giving free samples of baby formula to new mothers in Africa and then charging for it as soon as they were unable to switch back to breastfeeding. This caused high infant mortality and development problems.
ep4xk TIL: Bodhidharma, an Indian monk, has many legends attributed to him. One of which is that he inadvertently developed the foundations of Kung Fu upon seeing monks hunched over desks and noted it will negatively affect physical and mental health so he taught them exercise techniques based on yoga.