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TIL The French Marshall Michel Ney was a respected Marshall who served Napoleon. After Napoleon's second exile, he was charged with treason and sentenced to death by firing squad. Due to his status, he was allowed to face the soldiers unblindfolded and was permitted to give the final order to fire.

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W7XAB TIL Japan during the 60s and into the late 80s was using a coagulant catalyst to treat hemophilia called Fibrinogen Concentrate by pooling plasma from donors. However, due to under-regulation, donors were not screened for diseases like Hepatitis, which resulted in thousands infected
E1Ek7 TIL Singing 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra is banned in Karaoke Bars in the Philippines because people have been murdered while singing it. It is unknown why.
b6grp TIL The Ottoman Empire never recognized the partition of Poland in the 18th century. Even after the partition, the Ottoman chef de protocol would continue to ostentatiously ask “Where is the deputy from Lehistan (Poland)?” to the annoyance of the diplomats from the partitioning states.
NvVe TIL King Pepy II came to the throne aged nine, and ruled until he was 100. It is said he had a great system for avoiding insects: he would cover a slave in honey. Flies swarmed to the slave and left Pepy in peace. (x-post /r/heresafunfact)
G01N TIL during the siege of Stalingrad the commanding officer Friedrich Paulus was promoted to Field Marshal with the expectation he commit suicide rather than surrender. After he surrendered he was heard saying “I have no intention of shooting myself for a Bohemian corporal”. He lived till 1957.