› added 5 months ago

30

TIL that the 1904 Olympics were originally awarded to Chicago. But St. Louis, which was hosting the World’s Fair that year, threatened to undermine the Olympics with an even bigger sports competition. Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, then moved the games to St. Louis.

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7rYJL TIL Warren Buffet only bought out Berkshire Hathaway, then a struggling textile company, in order to fire its owner due to a personal grudge. Buffet reckons it was his biggest investment mistake, costing him $200 billion in compounded investment returns for buying the company.
oR4pK TIL Astronomer George Ellery Hale, who built a 60" telescope and started a bigger 200" telescope, had an imaginary elf who acted as his advisor. His psychological problems got so bad it forced him to resign as director of Mount Wilson observatory
0d0PM TIL k-pop phenomenon only happened because Jurassic Park. In early 90s, Korean Government officials issued a report for the president stating the movie revenue was almost equivalent of exporting 1.5 Million Hyundai cars. As a response, the government invested a lot of money in cultural industry.
5PnD TIL that a Chinese company rewarded its employee of the year with a night with a Japanese adult video star.
MeQdb TIL in 2000 Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs. If police find someone w/a supply larger than 10 days worth of personal use they aren’t arrested but brought before a “dissuasion panel” made up of experts who evaluate the person & prescribe treatment. both HIV infections & deaths by OD have plummeted.