261755 Earthquake
In 1755 a massive earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal on a major Catholic holiday, destroying the city's churches while sparing its brothels. Tens of thousands of worshipers were killed. The event profoundly shook the belief in a merciful God and the power of the church across Europe.
27. Adolf Hitler was the first European leader to ban human zoos, a popular attraction in Europe where exotic peoples were paid to be on exhibit for onlookers, with recreated habitats and shows. Belgium was the last to ban them, in 1958.
28. Approximately 75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant. The 25% of people who aren't are generally of North European descent.
29. Mandatory right-hand traffic was introduced in Europe by Napoleon with the aim of deterring sword fighting on horseback, and because the traditional left-hand traffic was seen as aristocratic. Since he never conquered Britain, left-hand driving would remain there.
30. In 552 A.D. two monks successfully smuggled silkworm eggs in their walking sticks from China to the Byzantine Empire, essentially ending the silk monopolies of China and Persia, and bringing silk manufacturing to Europe.
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31Euro Bridges
The euro currency was designed featuring images of fictitious bridges to represent architectural styles throughout time in Europe. They had to be careful not to feature one country over the others, but the Netherlands then went on to build these bridges printed on Euro.
32. Heels were first made by the Persian cavalry to keep stability while shooting arrows. It later became popular in Europe as a masculine symbol until 1630 when women followed the fashion.
33. Belarus is the last country in Europe that still uses the death penalty. The convicts are shot in the back of the head with a silenced PB-9 pistol. The whole procedure, starting with the announcement about denied appeals and ending with the gunshot, lasts no longer than two minutes.
34. The Giant Tortoise did not receive a scientific name for over 300 years due to the failure of the delivery of specimens to Europe for classification due to their great taste. Every single one of the specimens was eaten on the voyage back by sailors, even by Charles Darwin.
35. Some European countries have a “Freedom to Roam Law", which means that you can freely go into private land for recreation as long as you don’t cause any problems.
