› added 9 years ago

190

TIL That the patterns you see when you close your eyes have a name: “phosphenes”

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km44 TIL: The USS Cyclops, which went missing in 1918 during WWI remains the single largest loss of life in U.S. Naval history not directly involving combat, and the fate of the ship is unknown still to this day.
LQgvv TIL in 1545 some French winemakers prosecuted and threatened to excommunicate a group of Weevils. The weevils were given their own land, but returned 45 years later, reigniting another 8-month long trial. The final verdict was eaten by weevils.
8GlG TIL a 14-year-old boy faked being a Chicago Police Officer for an entire shift
ADlJ4 TIL the position of a Venetian gondolier is extremely exclusive and difficult to attain. Only 425 licenses are granted each year and it requires years of apprenticeship and passing a major exam.
N7ZwE TIL: Black US troops were welcome in Britain in WW2, but the US military's attempt to initiate segregation led to a shootout.