› added 1 year ago

76

TIL The Four Minute Men were American volunteers who gave propaganda speeches during the First World War. The speeches were four minutes long because they often spoke in movie theaters where it took four minutes to change film reels. Speakers also often modified the speech for the local audience.

gMmGA TIL of the actions of Bob Hawke and Michel Rocard. Because of them, Antarctica has been protected from all drilling and mining since 1991. This protection banned these practices for fifty years, establishing Antarctica as a "natural reserve, devoted to peace and science."
wLK4M TIL it used to be improper for women to smoke, but a single PR stunt changed all that. In 1929, women were hired to light up while marching in a parade, calling the cigarettes "Torches of Freedom." So smoking became a symbol of equal rights, and sales skyrocketed.
1mBP TIL that 46 years ago today, a NYPD Officer was shot in the face during a drug raid and the officers officers with him refused to make the call to the dispatcher indicating an officer was shot
loQBN TIL that a comedian/magician Tommy Cooper died live on television in front of millions of viewers. The audience was laughing while he was having the heart attack - thinking it was part of his performance.
GYxnj TIL that in 1993, South Africa produced around 619 tons of gold per year, the world’s biggest producer. But by 2018 the country was ranked 9th with only 120 tons produced per year. 1st to 8th: China, Australia, Russia, USA, Canada, Peru, Ghana, Mexico