› added 1 year ago

267

TIL that in 1963 France launched the first cat into space. She was a Parisian stray called Félicette.

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ADal7 TIL the Jack of Clubs in a typical English/French deck is Lancelot, from Arthurian legend.
QN7m6 TIL that the Star Wars Episode I soundtrack, which came out two weeks before the film. Contained a track that spoiled a pivotal plot point in the film
5VV9P TIL two Brazilian spectators committed suicide in the stadium of the 1950 FIFA World Cup Final, after their team lost.
EY8W TIL that during the 1913 Tour de France, riders could have no outside help repairing their bicycles. The race leader at one point had his front fork break, so he trekked 10 km to a blacksmith where he repaired them himself. He was penalized 3 minutes for allowing a child to work the bellows.
eOMk TIL George Lucas, for one dollar each, sold the rights of the original Star Wars trilogy to KUSC-FM, the public radio affiliate at his alma mater, to make a radio dramatization of the series.