› added 2 years ago

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TIL about Alvin “Tex” Johnson, a test pilot for Boeing who barrel rolled the 707 passenger jet prototype in 1955 over Seattle without orders. When asked he simply said: “I’m selling airplanes”.

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57D8 TIL there was an actual federal court case titled “UNITED STATES v. APPROXIMATELY 64,695 POUNDS OF SHARK FINS”
KO004 TIL that Roman Emperor Nero competed in the Olympics in 67 AD. He was allowed to enter the four horse chariot race with ten horses. He fell mid-race, did not finish, yet was still declared the winner.
5YNk TIL In 1988, a US warship shot down an Iranian airliner while in their waters. A total of 290 Iranians died, including 66 children. The U.S. paid $61.8m in reparations, but never apologized. VP Bush later stated, I’ll never apologize for the U.S. Ever. I don’t care what the facts are.
GYP47 TIL: The BBC almost didn't air the first report from the Belsen concentration camp as they couldn't believe its content. They only relented when journalist Richard Dimbleby threatened to resign if they didn't.
7r9NM TIL children who sucked their thumbs or bit their nails were 33 percent less likely to react to common allergens. By age 32, it is even higher at 39 percent. The reason: Scientists say these kids built immunity to various bacteria at a young age.