› added 11 years ago

119

TIL That Herbert Hoover and his wife learned Mandarin when living in China during the Boxer Rebellion, and would speak it in the White House to foil eavesdroppers.

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69Ny7 TIL that Roman Soldiers were not allowed to marry until the Second Century AD. Until then wives were illegal and any children were considered illegitimate.
5Y9g9 TIL that "Every Breath You Take" alone accounts for up to a third of Sting's annual music royalty payments.
ZpXav TIL At the height of his fame, Billy Squier's career was abruptly destroyed by the music video for his hit song "Rock Me Tonight." Squier believes its homoeroticism alienated a significant portion of his fanbase.
PY8rL TIL Driving slow is more dangerous than speeding. You’re actually least likely to be involved in an accident when you’re going 5 MPH over the average speed of traffic.
loWd7 TIL: Arizona refused to recognize Martin Luther King Day until 1993. In 1986, the Governor declared it would be recognized as a holiday in 1987. The next Governor repealed the recognition before it went into effect, and Arizona voters voted against making it a holiday in 1990.