› added 7 years ago

131

TIL The Rwandan genocide - which caused 1 millions deaths - is agreed to be the direct cause of the First and Second Congo Wars, which caused 80000 deaths and 5.4 million deaths respectively. This means the Rwandan genocide probably caused 7.2 million deaths in total.

GYx0J TIL that in 2007, Monty Python members Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam led a group of 5,567 people to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest coconut orchestra. They played "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life."
ngG7 TIL A German biologist who claimed measles is psychosomatic, offered 100,000 Euros to anyone who proved measles is a virus. A German doctor presented evidence of the virus; the biologist dismissed the evidence, but the local court ordered him to pay up.
7EQb TIL the last portrait painted of President Franklin D Roosevelt was left unfinished because during the sitting Roosevelt collapsed from a massive stroke and died a couple hours later
R7Bmj TIL Europeans and (USA and UK) refer to a billion differently. Europe considers it a million millions, whilst the others consider is a thousand millions. Canadians them use either, depending what language they're speaking.
OGBD6 TIL since 2013 the Dutch have held the annual Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships. The Championships take place on a raised storm barrier facing the sea, and during storms of wind force 7 or higher. Competitors use upright single-speed bikes for the 8.5km course, all into a head/side wind.