› added 6 months ago

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TIL that during the 1908 London Olympics, the United Kingdom ordered every country to dip its flag in honor of King Edward VII. All except the United States did so, with the American flag bearer stating, "This flag dips to no earthly king."

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R7PZl TIL about tactile illusions, including Aristotle's Illusion: if you cross your fingers and touch the tip of your nose with the tips of both crossed fingers, it feels like you're touching two noses.
graQA TIL in 2014 a drum of radioactive nuclear waste burst when workers used organic kitty litter to absorb the volatile chemicals. The cleanup cost was estimated to be $600mil+.
1aKbX TIL when Major Winters complained to Tom Hanks about the historical accuracy of 'Band of Brothers', Tom Hanks turned around, stated he was a genius, and said he was lucky to have it as accurate as it was. Tom estimates the show to be about 17% accurate to historical events.
Z8aX4 TIL "Have you eaten?" is a common greeting across Asia
KOrBJ TIL there is a ship which can turn 90 degrees vertically, leaving most of it underwater, transforming itself into an underwater lab