› added 2 years ago

54

TIL radioactive powder from a stolen radiotherapy unit was spread throughout a town in Brazil in 1987 as people were fascinated by its blue glow. They spread the dust in their homes showing it to family and friends, a 6 year old girl ingested some of it. 112,000 people were tested for contamination.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

x69x7 TIL that since the invention of the automobile, cars have killed an estimated 60-80 million people and injured over 2 billion.
78QlP TIL Due to Western competition, China's liquor industry is trying to promote younger generations in their 20s to 40s to drink baijiu, a 5000 year old traditional spirit, with the Jiang Xiao Bai brand. It removes unwanted smells, and renders the product pure, with a lower alcohol proof
KjPE TIL rapper Ice-T served four years in the Army, was a Squad Leader for the 25th Infantry Division, and received an Honorable Discharge
pYnxO TIL that there is an art installation in Burlington, Vermont that is called the world's tallest filing cabinet. It's name is "File Under So. Co., Waiting for". It was built in 2002 in response to years of delays building the Interstate 189 bypass into downtown Burlington
AD6mw TIL that many Chinese soldiers that came into contact with protestors at Tiananmen Square refused to open fire on civilians. One official even refused to obey orders by pretending he didn't receive any messages. There was even infighting between the various units over violence against civilians.