› added 4 years ago

75

TIL that Hawaii was previously a internationally recognized kingdom, but was overthrown in 1893 by mostly foreign insurgents. The islands were eventually annexed by the USA.

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d8P1d TIL about Masako Wakamiya, a Japanese woman who on noticing the lack of fun game apps for senior citizens learnt coding at the age of 81 and created her own app, Hinadan, inspired by a Japanese doll festival. She holds seminars and workshops to educate elderly about the benefits of technology.
LQ199 TIL a common year (aka non-leap year) begins and ends on the same day of the week
VMkJD TIL that the Germans tried banning the Americans from using shotguns during WWI, a weapon most notably used for clearing trenches with devestating efficiency.
OKx4 TIL “knock on wood” derived from Pagans touching, tapping or knocking on trees believing they were the homes of fairies and dryads who would wake and bless them with luck.
Wkx0N TIL Psychologists are interested in magicians because they've been doing experiments for centuries and built a lot of techniques. Tricks rely on manipulating expectations, misdirecting, and can influence decision-making – all things that intrigue psychologists.