› added 6 years ago

227

TIL in 2010, an octopus from Germany named Paul would predict how every game in the FIFA World Cup would go. He ended up being 100% correct with every choice he made.

Read more ibtimes.com

via reddit.com

d8LPj TIL that Ulysses S. Grant went on a post-presidency world tour from 1877-79. He was received quite well, often greeting cheering crowds, being offered gifts, and meeting various heads-of-state. He even acted as an unofficial diplomat in some cases, such as a land dispute between China and Japan.
GYoM5 TIL an Archaeologist from Florida found what he believed to be an Ancient Roman ship off the coast of Brazil. The Brazilian Navy then banned all underwater exploration, expelled the archaeologist from the country, and buried his dive location under tonnes of silt.
16vj8 TIL the term "John Hancock" colloquially used to refer to one's signature is due to John Hancock's distinctive and bold signature on the Declaration of Independence.
QLGL TIL: One or more members of a firing squad may be issued a weapon containing a blank cartridge. This is called the “conscience round” and allows each member to believe that they did not personally fire the fatal shot.
4kBJJ TIL when the Japanese emperor reclaimed power from the shogunate in 1868, the losing side fled to Hokkaido and declared a republic modeled on the United States