› added 7 years ago

994

TIL that in 1915, a man named Charles Hatfield convinced the town of San Diego that he could create rainfall using a secret mix of chemicals. The city offered to pay him $10,000 if he could end their drought, and the result!, a few days later, was the town’s worst flood of the 20th century.

JYed8 TIL that one of the people convicted during the (thoroughly debunked) Satanic Panic of the 80s, which accused daycare workers of abusing children for Satanic purposes, is still in prison
a84aA TIL about Andy Bowen a lightweight boxer who in 1893 fought in the longest boxing match against Jack Burke. The fight lasted 110 rounds which is around 7 hours and 19 minutes and it was reported that spectators fell asleep in their seats during the bout. The fight ended in a 'no contest'.
XEpP8 TIL that Futurama writer Ken Keeler wrote and proved a completely new mathematical theorem just for a single episode, called the Futurama Theorem. It is the first known theorem to be created for the sole purpose of entertainment in a TV show.
j6MRX TIL in the Ottoman tradition, the throne did not automatically pass to the eldest son. Rather, potential heirs were expected to fight it out. As soon as the sultan died, the princes were plunged into a race for the throne. Whichever brother won the throne would have the other brothers executed.
M7DdW TIL: The Movie Chicago (2002) is based on the Musical Chicago (1975), which is based on the Play Chicago (1926), which is inspired by the real events of two women in prison for murder in 1924. They really both reached for the gun.