› added 4 days ago

TIL Robert Ripley visited 200 countries hunting for the weird and was obsessed most with China. Ripley believed he was a Chinese reincarnated as an American. Ripley adopted Chinese dress and customs, filled his homes with Chinese artworks, Chinese junk, and signed his cartoons “Rip Li” for a time

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WWDX TIL the word Britain is derived from Pretain meaning “painted” - originally because the Britons had tatoos.
VMr6Q TIL ancient Greek rowers wore greased cushions to allow for a sliding stroke to take advantage of the power of the leg muscles.
0wP8L TIL that one of the things the Mafia can trace it's origins to is the citrus trade in the mid 1800's. The extortion, intimidation, and protection rackets that characterize Mafia activity were first practiced and perfected in the citrus gardens of Palermo, Italy.
Oowog TIL the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre were represented in court by John Adams, who successfully defended most of them against charges of murder.
bN8j TIL Wilmer McLean’s house was involved in the 1st Battle of Bull Run, where the Civil War began. After, he moved 120 miles away to Appomattox Courthouse to avoid further battles, and 2 years later, the Civil War ended in his parlor where General Lee surrendered to General Grant.