› added 11 years ago

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TIL Russia was founded by swedish vikings.

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8ajrL TIL a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but of such extravagant appearance that it transcends the range of usual garden buildings. Many follies, particularly during times of famine, such as the Great Famine in Ireland, were built as a form of poor relief, to provide employme
1aQ64 TIL the vending machine was invented in the 1st century AD by Hero of Alexandria. It dispensed Holy Water, and was apparently created because people were taking more Holy Water then they were paying for
N7nj1 TIL Greek Philosopher Plato was a wrestler in his youth, and that Plato is believed to be his wrestling name.
wLoYM TIL that Kit Harington is a direct descendant of Robert Catesby - the mastermind behind the plot to blow up parliament. Kit also plays Catesby in the BBC drama Gunpowder, retelling the story behind the plot.
7rQpP TIL Muhammad Ali was a conscientious objector and refused to enlist during the Vietnam War. He was sentenced to 5 years' prison but never actually went owing to appeals.