› added 6 years ago

107

TIL that the earliest record of the name Jessica is from Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice.

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X0EPX TIL that in 1975, upon gaining independence, Papua New Guinea extended an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II - known there as 'Missis Kwin' - to become their head of state, making her an elected Monarch of sorts.
adMN TIL that in Texas, a parent of a public school student has to formally opt-out of allowing corporal punishment. This has to be in writing in advance, otherwise the school can legally hit the child with no recourse.
gMxmD TIL the English Language Day at the UN is on the same day as Spanish Language Day at the UN.
yQKyw TIL that a massive solar flare in 2012 barely missed earth (by mere days). Had it hit, the power grid would likely have failed, causing unprecedented devastation. Scientists recently determined that it was of similar magnitude as the 1859 Carrington Event.
Ege5X TIL when Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844, he had around 44 wives. About 25 followed Brigham Young—some he married, while others were given to different men. 11 stayed with their other husbands, (yes it was polyandry) and 8 didn’t follow Brigham’s church and moved away.