› added 9 years ago

100

TIL of Jose Mujica, former president of Uruguay and known as “the world’s ‘humblest’ president” due to his austere lifestyle and his donation of around 90 percent of his $12,000 monthly salary

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

XEx18 TIL that the Oxford Junior Dictionary removed around 50 words that have to do with the natural world, in order to replace them with more "modern" words for today's tech-savvy children. Some of the removed words include acorn, dandelion, heron, newt, and otter.
YQPd TIL that since 1983 Larry Flynt has sent a delivery of porn every month to every member of Congress. Congress has tried to stop the deliveries but the U.S. District Court has ruled that the delivery cannot be stopped under the First Amendment
4XgMw TIL during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens fouled his first two attempts at long jump, but before the final attempt his Nazi rival, Luz Long, gave him some friendly advice that helped Owens qualify and win gold
VMrYQ TIL that from 1885 to 1916 eggs made from precious metals, or Fabergé eggs, were crafted for the wives of Alexander III and Nicholas II, constructed under the supervision of Peter Carl Fabergé. The first Fabergé egg was made for Tsar Alexander III to give to his wife, Maria Feodorovna.
OEyL TIL that the James Taylor song “Suite for 20 G” was so named because Taylor was promised $20,000 once the album was delivered. With one more song needed to finish the album, he strung together three unfinished songs into a “suite,” ensuring his payment.