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Today I learned that in 1983, Russian Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov heroically prevented a full retaliatory nuclear attack against the United States and NATO allies when his Oko nuclear early warning system detected 6 missiles coming from the U.S. and he immediately declared it a false alarm.

Read more theatlantic.com

via ift.tt

p8Nnp TIL, Edsel Ford was responsible for previous generations of the Lincoln Continental automobile, and would also bring hydraulic brakes to cars, he also had a role in producing military products at Willow Run in the 1940s.
1PNO TIL as a result of the state of New York having the highest cigarette taxes in the U.S., it is estimated that over 50% of the cigarettes consumed in New York are smuggled in.
8ae58 TIL the word "dashboard" originated as a barrier of wood or leather fixed at the front of a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh to protect the driver from mud or other debris "dashed up" (thrown up) by the horses' hooves.
7r1MX TIL that in the 1600s, some monks in Germany only drank beer and water during their 40-day fast for lent. They concocted an “unusually strong” brew, full of carbohydrates and nutrients. In 2011, a journalist attempted to re-create their fast. He lost 25 pounds during the ordeal.
GAwMQ TIL about the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed uprising in American history since the Civil War and a resounding example of how far the ruling elite will go to quell any attempt to challenge their hegemony, including calling upon the U.S. Army.