› added 1 year ago

72

TIL There existed a Roman Emperor whose face appears on just 2 ancient coins and we otherwise know absolutely nothing about

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M766A TIL that in 1929, Jimmy Doolittle made the first flight using only instruments, with the cockpit windows blacked out. Proving pilots could fly “blind.” This paved the way for modern aviation. He later led the famous 1942 Doolittle Raid, the first U.S. airstrike on Japan in WWII.
9YjY7 TIL of Matelotage, a homosexual or platonic same-sex union among sailors, in particular pirates, in the 17th & 18th century. "Matelots" would share their income, and inherit their property in death. They would protect and fight alongside each other in battle and act in the other's interest.
rRgLw TIL the USS Wake was the only American ship that surrendered in WWII to the Japanese, who then gave it to their puppet Chinese regime. It was then recaptured by the Americans after WWII, given to the Nationalist Chinese, and then captured by Communist China.
oBygK TIL that the most requested song at British funerals is Monty Python's "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". The comedy song beat out more traditional choices like "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "Abide With Me," as well as Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now".
9Yyvm TIL The World Health Organization offered paid internships for the first time in 2018 to boost access for those applying from developing countries. About 1,200 interns are accepted each year yet fewer than one in four of those chosen are from low-income countries