› added 8 years ago

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TIL that disgruntled FedEx employee tried to hijack and crash a cargo flight, armed with hammers and a spear gun. Despite serious injuries during the attack, the pilot and crew were able to land the plane. The pilot flew the plane upside down several times in an attempt to stop the hijacker.

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RQyw TIL Richard Nixon admitted in later life that he dreamed of becoming a rapper, saying “I have often thought that if there had been a good rap group around in those days, I might have chosen a career in music instead of politics.”
Xl9R TIL of The Hole: a facility operated by the Church of Scientology in California. The Tampa Bay Times described it as “a place of confinement and humiliation where Scientology’s management culture…grew extreme.” It has been described by ex-members comparable to that of a North Korean death camp.
prb4 TIL that George Washington was bled to death by doctors who were treating him for a cold. Bloodletting was a common medical practice at the time in order to remove “dirty blood,” when in reality it only weakens the patient. Half or more of his blood was removed within a few hours.
ZpabB TIL about 'Hero Stones', memorials from ancient India commemorating warriors who gave their lives in battle. Usually reserved for people, the Atakur hero stone was dedicated to a king's favorite dog, Kali, who battled a wild boar. Kali succeeded in slaying the boar but died in the fight.
egD5 TIL Collapsing faster than the Dodo: Indian vultures. Over 80 million wiped out since 1990, causing a public health crisis to the tune of 30,000 human deaths and 34 billion USD annually.