› added 3 years ago

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TIL of the Burghers of Calais. In 1346, Edward III laid siege to Calais, but agreed to spare the town if 6 wealthy residents surrendered, wearing nooses around their necks and carrying the keys to the city. Six volunteered, facing certain execution. They were spared on the advice of Queen Philippa

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eYyJ TIL Operation Mockingbird was a classified CIA program spanning from the 50’s through to late 70’s intended to influence the media and create ‘a propaganda network’ of leading American journalists.
PYJAe TIL airline pilots have to retire at 65.
7r5Kx Today I Learned the sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff resulted in the loss of 9,400 German citizens. This makes it the largest loss of life in a single ship sinking, however it is a rather unknown event due to being overshadowed by all the news of WW2 ending around the same time.
R7Vww TIL that Stan Lee used alliterative names like Peter Parker and Reed Richards because he has a poor memory - having first and last name start with the same letter made them easier to remember
Eb80 TIL there is another country inside Rome besides the Vatican. It has 3 inhabitants.