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TIL After the cancellation of the 1944 Olympics, Polish prisoners of war being held in the Nazi Oflag II-C POW camp staged their own unofficial Olympics games. They made their own flag from a bed sheet, an opening ceremony was held and even a commemorative stamp was printed by the camp post office.

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M7LnA TIL in 1998, Gerald Blanchard parachuted onto an Austrian castle at night to steal the jewel "Star of Empress Sisi." He swapped it with a gift shop replica, and the theft wasn’t noticed for 2 weeks. His bold stunt and attention to detail made it one of the most daring heists in modern history.
6b5w TIL that when sailors in the Navy pass over the equator for the first time, there is a “Crossing the Line” ceremony and the sailors receive the title “Shellbacks” and “Sons of Neptune.” They get a certificate and its “signed” by Davy Jones and Neptune.
lAk5 TIL of Elektro the robot. Built in 1937 to resemble the typical American male he could look, listen, speak, move independently and, of course, smoke cigarettes.
D1Qwe TIL that in the early 20th century there was a silent film actor named Harrison Ford.
jbdX TIL That when a UK autoshop mechanic saw the Google Street View car coming his way, he staged a murder scene. Police paid the shop a visit a year later after the image was finally spotted on Street View.