› added 4 years ago

77

TIL that countries attempting to exert influence over elections abroad is not a new thing: the country with the most attempts to influence foreign elections is reported to be America.

OoZoX TIL that the Polish Government in Exile, formed after the Nazi and Soviet invasion in 1939, refused to recognize the Polish People's Republic until fair elections were held. They continued to have a president, PM, and a cabinet that met every week in London until 1990 when democracy was restored
waQM TIL Abolitionist Cassius Clay was shot during an 1843 debate for the Kentucky House of Representatives; then, “Despite being shot in the chest, Clay drew his Bowie knife, tackled Brown, cut-out his eyes, and finally threw him over an embankment.” He would later become US Ambassador to Russia.
oRdVY TIL about Tigress Khairi, a wild tigress raised by an Indian conservationist couple In the 1970s, Saroj Raj Choudhury and his wife whom they considered as their own daughter. She only ate from her foster mother's hand and would sleep in their bed. Tragically, she died early due to rabies from a dog.
dDwXj TIL about Krystyna Skarbek - A Polish-British spy who got arrested by Gestapo during ww2 and got released by faking tuberculosis biting her tongue till it bleed to cough blood
xLp7 TIL during 1946 nuclear weapon tests in the Pacific, animals were put on ships in the blast area. Goat #119, behind plate armour inside a gun turret, died from the radiation in 4 days. Goat #53, out on deck, died in 2. Pig #311 was found swimming around and was brought back to the zoo in Washington.