› added 9 years ago

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TIL that George Lucas was neither the director, producer, or screenwriter for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The film eventually became the most critically acclaimed chapter in the Star Wars saga.

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695Al TIL that the portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute began in 591, when Pope Gregory I conflated Mary Magdalene with Mary of Bethany and the unnamed "sinful woman" who anointed Jesus's feet. Pope Gregory's sermon resulted in a widespread belief that Mary Magdalene was a repentant prostitute.
VBA5p TIL: In Italy, c. 1500 AD – c. 1700 AD, males (mainly before the age of 9 years) destined to be castrati singers underwent castration by either having their spermatic cords severed or their testis crushed with the fingers as to retain the higher voice register necessary for their operatic part.
6d0X TIL There was a rugby player famous for slipping his thumb into peoples bumholes
WkyRY TIL when German WWII U-boats would cruise below the surface with diesel engines running, waves swamping the snorkel tubes would cause the engines to suck air from the boat to keep running, producing a partial vacuum. Crews reported it was very painful, and eardrums were sometimes ruptured.
4kAVa TIL that there is a role in system of Bosnia and Herzegovina that has the power to remove public officials from office and pass laws, although it's exclusively held by foreigners