› added 5 years ago

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TIL of the Kudirka Incident: a Soviet sailor swam from his ship and attempted to defect with the American Coast Guard. Not knowing the protocol for granting asylum, the Coast Guard eventually allowed the Soviets onto their vessel, where they arrested him and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

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via reddit.com

x6J1w TIL that 21 of the 50 oldest living people are Japanese
loONN TIL that Steve Irwin's father refused a state funeral for his son because in the words of his son, he was an "ordinary bloke".
epOJn TIL that North Korea once beat Italy in the FIFA World Cup
g44A TIL The 7 Wonders of the Ancient world all co-existed in time for 54 years until the Colossus of Rhodes fell.
ZE7a TIL A man spent 4 years in jail for plotting to kill Sherriff Joe Arpaio with a pipe bomb. After investigation it was discovered to be an elaborate publicity stunt, with Maricopa police supplying the bomb parts to the man.