› added 8 years ago

645

TIL when the Soviet Union was pushing towards Berlin, an SS soldier was forced to play a piano for his captors. They made it clear in sign language that he would be executed the moment he stopped. He played for 22 hours, after which he collapsed in tears. They congratulated him, then shot him.

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MeRQV TIL that before Zachary Taylor coined the term "First Lady", the President of the United States's wife was commonly referred to as the "Presidentress"
nxpW TIL When all was said and done the bus monitor (Karen Klein) who was bullied / filmed by those kids in NY received $654,601.89 and retired 1 week later.
v1kX8 TIL that Rome is the only city in the world that hosts both the embassy of China (PRC) and the embassy of Taiwan (ROC) and this is because Italy recognises PRC while Vatican recognises ROC.
rRVZd TIL Crispbread has been baked in central Sweden since 500 AD. It was made as round wafers with a hole in the middle so the bread could be stored on sticks under the roof.
69ERw TIL that the numbering system in India has different words for the powers of ten starting with ten to the fifth, and names every other power from there (seventh, ninth, etc.)