The loudest insect in the world is the male cicadas, which are like crickets. When they rub their abdomens, the sound made can be heard from 1300 feet.

French author Thomas-Alexander Dumas (The Three Musketeers) is the highest ranking black military official in Europe to date.

Britain is still paying off debts that predate the Napoleonic wars because it's cheaper to do so than buy back the bonds on which they are based.

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