› added 11 years ago

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TIL Hitler banned the Nobel Prize and created his own German National Prize for Art and Science and awarded one to Ferdinand Porsche, who developed the world’s first hybrid car, as well as the Volkswagen Beetle.

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4Xkla TIL that the Holy Roman state of Hesse-Kessel became a "mercenary state" renting out its army to other major powers. The state maintained strict neutrality, to the point that it would rent out soldiers to both sides of a conflict and the Hessian soldiers would end up fighting each other.
AVQn TIL that Sir George Everest, the man after whom Mount Everest is named, actually pronounced his name “Eve-rest” and not “Ever-est”
XadP TIL that if you confess you murdered someone to a priest, your secret is protected by Catholic law
1aL1d TIL Jack Livesey fabricated a military record that included service in the Falklands War, 20 years in the parachute regiment and reaching the Colour Sergeant rank. He worked as a historian and lecturer on the basis of these falsehoods; in reality he simply served as an army cook for 3 years.
E180X TIL that "Taco Tuesday" isn't something just any restaurant can celebrate. It's trademarked by a Wyoming-based chain called Taco John's, which routinely sends cease-and-desist letters to other restaurants that use it.