› added 11 years ago

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TIL: in 1954, a man committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, his suicide note simply read “Absolutely no reason except I have a toothache.”

8e0EP TIL that in Japan on December 16, 1997, a particular episode of the Pokémon anime's first season induced photosensitive epileptic seizures in children across the country. Over 600 children were taken to hospitals. The incident is referred to in Japan as the "Pokémon Shock".
16Zy7 TIL Jaws directly contributed to a surge in shark hunting, and consequently a drop in shark populations. Peter Benchley regretted writing Jaws, "Knowing what I know now, I could never write that book today. Sharks don't target human beings, and they certainly don't hold grudges."
P1mXE TIL at age 20, Pope Benedict IX was the youngest Pope ever elected, and served as Pope on three different occasions. The first time he was overthrown, 2nd time he resigned, the third time he was overthrown again.
grAVA TIL: Pier Donia was a farmer turned rebel leader after his wife was killed and his village sacked. He started a guerilla campaign, slaughtering many towns. His main weapon was a great sword. One on display weighed 14.6lbs and is 7 ft long. His sword was featured on "Forged in Fire" season 9.
JYKLV TIL of the Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mehmed IV of the Ottoman Empire, a legend based on the reply the Cossacks wrote in response to the ultimatum delivered to them by the Ottoman Sultan; the Cossack's reply is filled with particularly vulgar rhymes.