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TIL that “fire fighting” and “kite flying” were featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris

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LQma9 TIL Until 1958 Popes were embalmed by having all their organs removed. Pious XII was against this so a novel method was used: it went so bad that his body started rapidly decaying while still in public view and the ceremony was canceled after the chemical reactions made the swiss guards fall ill
pXV4 TIL there is one double barrel cannon in existence. It was intended to fire simultaneously from side-by-side barrels two balls linked by a chain, intended to scythe down enemy soldiers like standing wheat.
YpPlZ TIL that we humans have been dependent since 1977 on the blue blood of horseshoe crabs to keep our medicines safe. The crabs have been 'bled' for a chemical which is used to test for bacterial contamination in drugs. Finally, pharmaceutical companies are committing to a synthetic version.
GYoB4 TIL the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations can legally appoint non-voting delegates to the U.S. House of Representatives. To date, only one has been nominated and is awaiting confirmation.
P19PJ TIL the original World Cup trophy survived WWII in Italy hidden in a shoebox under the FIFA VP’s bed—only to be stolen in 1966 from England, held for ransom, recovered, stolen again in 1983 from Brazil, and never found again.