› added 6 years ago

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TIL that the eagle featured on U.S. currency was modeled on a real bald eagle named Peter who used to live on top of the U.S. Mint. He died in 1836 but, like many animals whose admirers just can't let go, Peter was stuffed and is still on display inside the very building upon which he once nested.

aw5Q9 TIL Lafayette, the French officer who aided the U.S. Revolutionary War, gifted a pair of pistols to Washington in 1778. Eventually, they came into Andrew Jackson's possession, and Lafayette identified them while visiting Jackson in 1825. In his will, Jackson bequeathed them back to Lafayette's son.
vg9D TIL that at the Southern Pole of Inaccesability, which is far more remote and difficult to reach than the geographical Southern Pole, is an abandoned Soviet Union research centre buried under the snow. Inside there is a golden book allowed to be signed by visitors who survive the journey.
9Ykwp TIL the organisers of the 2012 London Olympics contacted The Whos manager Bill Curbishley to see if drummer Keith Moon was available to play at the opening ceremony, despite Moon being dead for 34 years at the time.
nebe7 TIL about City-Gods. In Folk Chinese Religion, adherents believe that when a city is founded, a local deity shall emerge in heaven & watch over that specific city & its people. These deities are usually deified historic local officials, or local spirits & Dragons living in nearby holy sites/rivers.
nepyY TIL that NFL teams AZ Cardinals, CLE Browns, CHI Bears, Bal Colts, LA Rams, and SD Chargers had ownerships with links to the mafia during their history.