› added 1 year ago

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TIL of the Groom of the Stool, a nobleman who helped Renaissance-era English kings go to the bathroom and clean themselves. They later helped set national fiscal poolicy.

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0Zkj TIL that in 1975, the Food and Drug Administration ruled that Pringles cannot legally call themselves “Potato chips” because they’re not made from sliced potatoes. Also, in the UK, the company tried to argue that Pringles weren’t chips (“crisps” in the UK) because chips are subject to a 17.5% VAT
8vDL TIL that everyone in Iceland pays church tax, and the payment of those unaffiliated with a church goes to the University of Iceland [at least as of 2004]
pLMA TIL of Camp Century, a top-secret US military base built under the ice sheets of Greenland in 1960 to house missiles. Built under the cover of climate research, it housed 200 people and was powered by the world’s first portable nuclear reactor. Denmark didn’t uncover the base’s existence until 1995.
8Q5P TIL that in the DC Universe, Gotham City is located in New Jersey and Metropolis is in Deleware
gMDp7 TIL That to rescue a Royal Marine behind enemy lines, 4 Commandos strapped themselves to the outside of apache helicopters, enabling them to rush in and bring the Royal Marine back.