› added 13 years ago

162

TIL that, when the US was founded, the government could, and often did, unilaterally shut down corporations if they exceeded their authority or caused public harm.

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ODya TIL the Library of Congress has a letter sent by a young Neil deGrasse Tyson to Carl Sagan, thanking Sagan for his generosity when they met at Cornell, and telling of his future career plans in science
Z8Y7o TIL in 1919, having pitched 8⅔ innings in a game against the Athletics, Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning. Despite being knocked unconscious, he refused to leave the game. He went on to record the final out for the complete-game win.
4kPNN TIL Sheb Wooley's song "The Purple People Eater" was initially rejected by MGM Records. However, the song resonated with the young people at MGM, who would gather in a group of up to 50 people to listen to it during lunch. Afterwards, MGM reconsidered and released the song.
XEbMk TIL the artist Michelangelo drew illustrated versions of his shopping lists, so his illiterate servant could understand them without reading. One list from 1518 now tours alongside Michelangelo's artworks.
GRkj TIL that there is no such thing as standing in line in Chinese culture. Chinese simply push and jostle to the front, to the chagrin of non-Chinese.