› added 13 years ago

118

TIL that oats and rye were weeds that evolved to imitate wheat and barley to confuse farmers, and only later were farmed on purpose

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QNgAd TIL the mafia ultimately has its roots in Ferdinand I's horrendous mismanagement of the economy of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the Kingdom of Italy's subsequent failure to make anything better after its conquest of southern Italy
mxBLo TIL Robin Williams funded a scholarship at his alma mater, Juilliard, that saw a full-ride given to a student every two years. One of the people who won the award was future Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, who became the first person from her family to go to college
78OgX TIL The first man to finish the 1904 Olympic marathon rode in a car half the race. The actual winner had to be carried across the finish line after his coaches gave him a mix of brandy, eggs and strychnine. 4th place stole 2 peaches from a spectator, ate rotten apples from an orchard and took a nap.
x64Lg TIL the patron saint of businesspeople is St. Homobonus.
VBwK8 TIL of the "Aloha Spirit" law, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Section 5-7.5: " 'Aloha Spirit' is the coordination of mind and heart within each person. It brings each person to the self. Each person must think and emote good feelings to others. In the contemplation and presence of the life force (hā)."