› added 5 years ago

98

TIL that leap days were actually put into use since 46 BC by Julius Caesar after him personally consulting Greek astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria for the fact that one year was slightly longer than 365 days and if they continued with the existing calendar, July would eventually fall on winter.

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voZB TIL that Hitler came to power in a democracy with a highly liberal constitution, and in part by using democratic freedoms to undermine and then destroy democracy itself.
woVY8 TIL that the Romans published a daily gazette called the Acta Diurna. It contained major events, births and deaths. It was either inscribed in stone or metal or painted in black on white walls called Albums. This practice was initiated by Julius Caesar and lasted from 59 BC to 222 AD.
e0AJk TIL the last thing on BBC Television before it was switched off on the eve of the Second World War was a Mickey Mouse show which was aired at around 12.35pm on 1st September 1939. Seven years later BBC Television returned with a repeat of the same Mickey Mouse programme.
8a6nP TIL there is no constitutional requirement for a U.S. State to hold presidential elections. A State legislature can theoretically just handpick its presidential electors.
kBxm TIL Nelson Mandela was a heavyweight boxer in his younger years. He continued to train while he was in prison.