› added 12 years ago

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TIL that Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” has spent more than 800 weeks in the Billboard 200 since its release.

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lNA5 TIL the Rothschilds had such an efficient system of couriers that they knew Napoleon had lost at Waterloo a day before the government did. Nathan Rothschild kept it secret and immediately bought up the government bond market. He then sold the bonds for an enormous 40% profit two years later.
a8wvN TIL that during WWII, the US Navy had two aircraft carriers operating in Lake Michigan, known as the Corn Belt Fleet. They were converted from 1920s paddle steamers and served as floating runways to train pilots away from danger. In total, 17,820 pilots were trained, including George H. W. Bush.
78YXL TIL about 2yr old Australian Sophie Delezio who suffered 3rd deg burns to 85% of her body, lost both feet, one hand and an ear when an older driver crashed into her preschool. 3yrs later her wheelchair was hit on a pedestrian crossing by a different older driver causing new serious injuries.
x4G1 TIL: in 2010 a man had live explosives on his bag for three days unknowingly, when he got a phone call and a bomb squad showed up at his home. The explosives were placed and forgotten on his bag during an airport security exercise.
v1BlD TIL: The red flag, when used by pirates, came to mean "no quarter given", meaning that no mercy would be shown, and no life would be spared, while a black flag usually meant that those who surrendered without a fight would be allowed to live.