› added 10 years ago

95

TIL that gunpowder was discovered by Taoist alchemists who were searching for an elixir of immortality

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Qjea TIL of Professional Mourners. In ancient Rome, these paid sad people would rip out their hair and scratch at their faces. Having many of them signified great wealth, and the Roman government eventually had to impose limitations on how many the deceased person could have.
4XLQw TIL that a single dynasty has occupied the position of Emperor of Japan continually for over two thousand years, so long that the first 28 emperors are likely legendary.
Z8b0a TIL that in 2006, USA Today and Good Morning America revealed a list of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World' including the Internet.
J1A1V TIL An MI6 source's claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction was entirely lifted from the plot of the movie The Rock
d8KBQ TIL That despite being surrounded by technology, Japan still uses cash as their main payment method.