› added 7 years ago

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TIL that the world almost came to an end in 1983 when a malfunctioning Soviet satellite falsely reported multiple launches of American ICBMs to a Russian bunker. Citing a “funny feeling in my gut,” the bunker commander directly disobeyed military protocol by not ordering retaliatory strikes

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via ift.tt

EVPW TIL that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, is empty. In 1998, the remains were identified as USAF 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, and were reinterred in St. Louis, MO - his hometown.
Kn7G TIL Bob Marley’s song, Buffalo Soldier, refers to the name given to black troops by Native Americans, who thought black soldiers’ hair looked and felt like a buffalo’s pelt. Buffalo Soldiers settled railroad disputes, built and repaired forts, and protected settlers from Native American attacks.
1ag0D TIL The first issue of National Geographic in 1888 didn't have a single photograph and included highly technical articles such as "The Classification of Geographic Forms by Genesis"
GYP0Q TIL the Yersinia pestis bacteria is responsible for 3 plague pandemics in history. This included the Plague of Justinian in the 6th century, the Black Death in the 14th century, and the Third Pandemic in the 19th and 20th century.
y0QX TIL that the filters on cigarettes have no proven health benefits, and are the most common form of litter in the world.