› added 4 months ago

10

TIL that coal stored at room temperature (but in large cuantities) can start a spontaneous combustion

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xnrk TIL in 1903, dozens were killed in a Chicago theater fire. The mayor, owner, and building commissioner were all indicted; however, the only person to serve prison time was a tavern owner who looted the corpses of the victims.
LYe9 TIL That at the outbreak of the 1973 Yom Kippor War, Israeli forces of just 3,000 troops, 180 tanks and 60 artillery were able to halt the advance of a Syrian force of 28,000 troops, 800 tanks and 600 artillery until reservists were mobilised
VBd6m TIL of Lord George Gordon, who was a British nobleman and politician in 18th century England, who led a mob of Protestants in a riot against Catholic businesses and property in London. In later life, he gained public attention from his conversion to Judaism and was nicknamed "The Birmingham Moses"
vPOrR TIL 24 of the 50 US states have Native American derived names (many through French), 1 is Hawaiian, 4 directly from Spanish, 11 named after people, several of various origins (English, French, Latin), and at least 6 of unknown origin.
KYevE TIL Times Square in New York was originally called Long Acre Square, but was renamed in 1904 when the New York Times moved their headquarters to the area