› added 1 year ago

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TIL that Execution by Electric Chair was almost called "gerrycide" after the grandson of the guy who gerrymandering is named after.

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R416 TIL that more French people live in London than in all but 5 French cities, making London “France’s 6th biggest city”
X0Oy8 TIL about Pablo Escobar's four pet (cocaine) hippos that were left to fend for themselves after Escobar's death in 1993. Well over 40 hippos now exist wild in the region (Colombia) with the population expected to double in the next decade
yVdxl TIL That there is a small island in the South Pacific, where villagers worship a mythical American WW2 veteran named John Frum, believing that he will bring them material wealth one day.
0YEv TIL The USA’s anthem is just different lyrics set to the music of an old British drinking song.
YBJr TIL In December 1952 the Tower Bridge started to open while a double-decker bus was passing. The driver, Albert Gunton made the decision to accelerate, clearing a 3 ft gap to drop 6 ft onto the north bascule, which had not yet started to rise. There were no serious injuries.