› added 6 years ago

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TIL that Orson Welles was only 23 years old when he made "War of the Worlds," the 1938 radio play that allegedly fooled some listeners into thinking Earth was being invaded by Martians. He was 25 when he made "Citizen Kane," still considered one of the greatest American films of all time.

5YGdQ TIL that the coat evolved from padding known as the doublet that protected the skin of knights from chafing by armor or chainmail. Around the 14th Century, it became fashionable for nobles to wear the doublet as an outer garment as if perhaps they had just come from the battlefield.
nKYr TIL that the Chinese government has been widely accused of harvesting and selling organs from imprisoned practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual practice and other political prisoners.
jg4X TIL that in England darts was considered a game of chance until a 1908 court case where a local champion demonstrated that he could hit any number on the board the court requested. Following the demonstration, the judge found darts to be a game of skill.
9YkpM TIL former US President Calvin Coolidge had a pet raccoon named Rebecca who was originally slated to be Thanksgiving dinner at the White House
rOad TIL people believed that sufferers of Williams Syndrome, who have charming & extraordinarily kind personalities, had extraordinary, even magical powers. The word ‘elfin’ was used to describe their facial features. This is believed to be the origin of elves, fairies & 'wee folk’ in English folklore.