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TIL of Nancy Bentley, who was enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy at age 6. Australia's 'first' female sailor, she was enlisted so that the ship's doctor could provide medical assistance to her after she was bitten by a snake. She served 6 days and her official rank was 'mascot'.

Read more news.navy.gov.au

via reddit.com

pGMb TIL that there are more slaves today than ever before in history, despite it being illegal everywhere.
OoaPR TIL the word Hello became popular after Thomas Edison suggested its use when answering the phone. Alexander Graham Bell, his competitor, preferred Ahoy.
kJak5 TIL about the Massacre of the Latins, which occurred in Constantinople in 1182. The massacre was a result of the presence of Western merchants, particularly Italians, and various other factors. The Orthodox population killed tens of thousands of Catholics, with 4,000 survivors being sold as slaves.
ord8 TIL A Roman chariot racer called Gaius Appuleius Diocles is the highest paid sportsman in history. His total winnings earned him around £10bn in today’s money.
nWyr9 TIL Investigations into many haunted houses have revealed elevated levels of carbon monoxide or other toxins, leading to hallucinations. This phenomenon is often observed in older houses due to the presence of aging and faulty appliances.