› added 4 years ago

57

TIL about the Gaesatae, a group of Gaulish mercenaries hired to fight the Romans in 225 BC. The Gaesatae fought naked to intimidate their foes, but their small shields offered little protection against Roman javelins, and they were driven back.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

8ao7K TIL According to writer-comedian Bob Odenkirk, John Candy was reputedly the "most-burned potential host" of SNL, in that he was asked to host many times, only for plans to be changed by the SNL staff at the last minute.
D1rev TIL Argentina invaded the British island of Southern Thule in 1976, but it is so remote that it wasn't announced in the press until a year later. The island was taken back in 1982, but 6 months later an Argentine flag appeared on the island again. The British removed it and destroyed all buildings.
Oo75e TIL that in 2005, a chinese man found that he could still buy lottery tickets within a 5 minute window after the winning numbers were announced. this allowed him to win over $4 million. when chinese authorities caught on, he was sentenced to life in prison
d8y4Q TIL The 24 Hours of Le Mans traditionally begins with a "standing start", where drivers run to their car. Feeling this type of start was unsafe, Jacky Ickx opposed it by walking across the track while his competitors ran. He was nearly hit by a car, and another was killed. Ickx won the race.
ANgGw TIL Saturn's rings are made up of ice which is diamagnetic and hence resides in the place with the lowest magnetic effect: the equator