› added 9 years ago

180

TIL that when New Horizons flew past Jupiter the gravity assist created by the planet increased its speed by 9,000 mph.

Read more science.nasa.gov

via reddit.com

PYZOO TIL in 1795, the Spanish crown institutionalized the 'purchase of whiteness' through a decree called the 'gracias al sacar'. In the Spanish empire, wealthy mixed race people could now pay for a legal declaration that 'converted them' to white in order to conduct business freely and marry well.
QNKXd TIL that in Japan there is a group of prominent female housewife stock traders known as Mrs. Watanabe who are so proficient at what they do that many traders look to them for reference on which stocks are doing well.
5Yxo8 TIL that the concept of zombies goes all the way back to the dawn of written literature. In the Epic of Gilgmesh, Ishtar threatens to, "Raise up the dead and they shall eat the living." Similar ideas appear in the bible.
78aKO TIL from 1906 to 1980, New Hebrides (today Vanuatu) was a condominium jointly ruled by France and the United Kingdom
4kDDR TIL Rowan Atkinson's role in Love Actually was originally meant to be an Angel, which explains his knowingly helpful appearances.