› added 1 year ago

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TIL that war actually decreases the gap in life expectancy between men and women rather than exacerbating it

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855V TIL that the actor that played gimli (as a dwarf beeing one of the smallest members of the fellowship) in the lotr trilogy was actually the tallest member of the fellowship (beeing 6’ 1")
r6kM TIL that Bill Murray does not answer fan mail because he doesn’t “have time for those idiots” trying to get rich collecting famous people’s autographs.
JYXb4 TIL Vasily Arkhipov was the sole officer aboard a submarine who refused to authorize a nuclear strike, presumably saving the world from nuclear destruction during the cold war.
LkjpZ TIL that from 1864 to 1870 three countries (Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil) declared war to Paraguay (whos motto is “Victory or Death”). Roughly two-thirds of Paraguay population were killed, including around 90% of its men. That war was called “War of the Triple Alliance”
16gX8 TIL of Pope Stephen VI who instigated the Cadaver Synod in which he ordered a trial of deceased Pope Formosus on grounds of acting as Bishop after he was deposed. The corpse was exhumed, propped up upon a throne. A deacon stood behind answering questions as the deceased. Formosus was found guilty.