› added 6 years ago

95

TIL that in 36 BCE, Roman statesman Marcus Varro wrote about germs, describing "minute creatures which cannot be seen by the eyes, which...enter the body through the mouth and nose and there cause serious diseases." The germ theory of disease would not be accepted widely for another 1,900 years.

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Y7OnW TIL The Lion King musical is both: the highest-grossing musical theatre production ever at roughly $1.9 billion and also the highest-grossing musical theatre franchise ever with a global total of about $8.2 billion.
YOnr TIL C++ was originally called “C with Classes” when it was created in 1979. It was renamed as a pun involving the increment operator in 1983.
nWexP TIL about Albert Cashier, born Jennie Hodgers, who enlisted as a male in the Union Army in 1863, fought in 40 engagements. He maintained his male name and expression after the war until his death in 1915, and is the first documented transmale who served in the US Army.
NXlyQ TIL that Max Verstappen won the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and the Nurburgring 24h sim race on iRacing on the same weekend. He had his sim racing rig shipped out to his motorhome in the paddock, allowing him to take two, two-hour stints at the sim racing event.
LQXlP TIL that Adrian Carton de Wiart was a veteran of three major conflicts, losing a hand and an eye. He received the Victoria Cross, the highest British military award for gallantry, for his actions at La Boiselle. He, however, declined to even mention the medal in his autobiography.