› added 4 years ago

106

TIL the USSR tried to blackmail a gay US journalist with photos of him having sex with a Soviet spy, but he refused to cooperate and reported the incident to the CIA. When the Soviets sent the photos to prominent journalists, they all refused to out him.

ADYw TIL there’s no hard evidence the Qu'ran existed before the last decade of the 7th century, 6 decades after Muhammad’s supposed death.
Xv98 TIL the Irish ‘Tri-colour’ flag symbolizes the struggle that was once in Ireland. Green represents the Catholics, orange represents the Protestants and white represents the hope for peace between both sides.
EorX TIL Sugar Ray Robinson tried to back out of his title fight with Jimmy Doyle after having a dream that he killed him in the ring. A priest and minister convinced him not to back out, and Jimmy Doyle died the night of the fight after being knocked out in the eighth round.
Bg0Lb TIL that the only man Al Capone ever feared was Chicago gangster Earl J. 'Hymie' Weiss. He made several attempts on the kingpin's life, including a ten car driveway. Despite his derogatory nickname, he was also a devout Catholic who despised prostitution. Earl was gunned down at 28 in 1926.
VMjRZ TIL because of the subject of mutiny, 'Crimson Tide' did not receive support from the US Navy but still managed to get actual footage of The USS Alabama. They filmed it when Tony Scott got a tip as to when the Alabama was shipping out and followed it with a yacht and a helicopter for 8 miles.