› added 3 years ago

77

TIL that in 1857, there were an estimated 80,000 prostitutes in London, and one out of every 60 houses functioned as a brothel

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

xVgMg TIL in 1964, the FBI spent three months investigating whether the song "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen was obscene and therefore illegal to transport across state lines. They concluded there was no evidence the lyrics were rude.
rNnjW TIL during the siege of Leningrad, scientists working at the world’s largest collection of seeds protected the seeds from the threats of the cold, the hungry residents of the besieged city, rats, and their own hunger. Twenty-eight of the botanists died during the siege, protecting their collection.
P14kE TIL that 92% of all US currency has traces of cocaine on paper currency.
x8v1 TIL in March 1992, after Southwest just started using the “Just Plane Smart” motto, Stevens Aviation, who had been using it for their motto, threatened a trademark lawsuit. Instead of a lawsuit, the CEOs of both companies staged an arm wrestling match for the use of the phrase.
oQar TIL that Winfield Scott (1786-1866) served as a active duty general for 53 years, longer than anyone in American history. He entered service under Thomas Jefferson and retired under Abraham Lincoln.