› added 12 years ago

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TIL Hemingway underwent shock therapy to treat his manic depression (bi-polar disorder). The treatment obliterated his memory, which made it impossible for him to write. This was the catalyst that sparked his desire to commit suicide.

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69Rrm TIL The last mounted US cavalry charge was made in the Philippines on January 16, 1942. As the Japanese surged across the Batalan River, E and F Troops of the 26th drew up their horses in perfect formation. The 26th fought on horse and on foot, tossing gasoline-filled soda bottles at enemy tanks
XEo5k TIL that if one astronomical unit (roughly the average distance between the Earth and the Sun) were scaled to equal one inch, then one light-year would be almost exactly one mile (within a few feet).
XExAQ TIL Alexander the Great once suffered an arrow wound that pierced his lung. He fought on as long as he could, but eventually collapsed on his shield. His army was able to protect him long enough to win the battle and to escape. They cut the arrow out of his chest and amazingly he fully recovered.
Omm1 TIL that the R-rated South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut intentionally used 399 swears, since the MPAA would give an NC-17 rating to any movie using 400 or more swears.
xVGG7 TIL after WWII ended, Jewish people were forced to live for months in their concentration camps, in their camp uniforms and poorly insulated buildings, leading a US representative to conclude: "We appear to be treating the Jews as the Nazis treated them except that we do not exterminate them."