› added 1 year ago

36

TIL that the Praetorian Guard auctioned off the throne of the Roman Empire to the highest bidder.

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MR8A TIL that Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910
VM08Q TIL in 1809 Theodore Hook made a bet that he could make any house in London the most talked-about address in a week. He sent out 1000s of letters in the name of Mrs Tottenham of 54 Berners Street, requesting deliveries, visitors, and assistance. A large part of London was brought to a standstill.
X0gEP TIL that democracy isn't uniquely a human thing, since many other social animals have been known to implement it
BryLK TIL the Haya People of Tanzania have been forging steel for over 2000 years. Investigation of their land led to the discovery of ancient furnaces that were then carbon dated and found to be around 2000 years old.
xVW6w TIL that the ice pick used to kill Leon Trotsky is on display at the International Spy Museum in Washington, District of Columbia