› added 11 years ago

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TIL Erwin Rommel on being condemned to death for the July 20th plot against Adolf Hitler, chose an offer of suicide and took a cyanide pill, both to protect his staff and as a ‘blood guilt’ (Sippenhaft) law meant that his family would have been punished as well, and in this way both could be spared.

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l78KN TIL: There are parts of the ocean with no tides which are called amphidromic points, some even directly border land.
9w8YX TIL: the single “Uptown Funk” was based on rapper Trinidad James “All Gold Everything”. James receives 8% in royalties from the Bruno Mars hit. Similarities include similar rapped verses, the same refrain as apart of the chorus, and a drum section set to the same rhythm as James’ adlibbing
6EnjW Today I learned that the English word "tycoon" is borrowed from the Japanese word "Taikun", the diplomatic title of the Japanese Shogun
EgoLo TIL Ignaz Semmelweis pioneered the habit of washing hands in hospitals but was rejected, had a mental breakdown and was sent to an asylum and was beat to death by the guards (XIX century)
5Wxn TIL… Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, dropped acid after he got sober.