› added 11 years ago

115

TIL that the US had 65 nuclear armed B52s on 24 hours flights, orbiting within striking distance of the USSR during the Cuban missile crisis

Read more www2.gwu.edu

via reddit.com

6EWgJ TIL Matels iconic Barbie Doll design was actually born in Germany in 1952. The inspiration for Americas most famous doll was a saucy highend prostitute named Lilli. Originally a comic-strip character, the Bild Lilli doll became so popular she was immortalized in plastic & sold as an adult novelty.
QJl1L TIL about Gurkha Corporal Dipprasad Pun, who single-handedly held his post against more than 30 Taliban fighters. He fired more than 400 rounds of ammunition, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine to thwart the assault on his checkpoint.
J1rXj TIL in Denmark it's legal to burn the national flag, but illegal to burn foreign (i.e non-Danish) flags
jNEGN TIL that the New Orleans "Jazz Funeral" is a burial ceremony and celebration of life unique to New Orleans. After the body is buried the band begins to play up-tempo, joyful jazz numbers, crowds of "second liners" join in and begin dancing, transforming the funeral into a street festival.
eDln TIL that Queen Elizabeth has met 12 US Presidents