Google Facts™ [ ️@googlefactss🌎]

Andorra has no official army, relying on treaties with Spain and France for defense. It has a small volunteer group for ceremonies. Over 57% of citizens say they would fight if needed, up from 40.9% in 2006. Historically, able-bodied men could be called to defend the country through the “Sometent.” Only one shotgun per household is allowed; rifles and handguns need licenses. 🇦🇩 [Read more] @googlefactss #Andorra #Military #Defense #Sometent #CeremonialArmy

Japanese indigo dye, called aizome, began in the Edo period (1603–1868). Back then, only the upper classes wore bright colors and silk, so common people used cotton and indigo dye. Indigo was popular for its strong color and for keeping bugs and germs away. Today, aizome remains important in fashion and culture across Japan. 👘💙 [Source] @googlefactss #JapaneseIndigo #Aizome #EdoPeriod #Craftsmanship #History

A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads by being copied from person to person. The term comes from the Ancient Greek word "mimema" (μίμημα), which means "something imitated." Like genes, memes carry meaning and evolve over time. They spread through speech, writing, or actions. Some memes thrive and grow, while others fade away. Memes can be images, phrases, or online trends. The word was coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976. 🧠🌍💬 Redaction note: The chatgroup welcomes memes on Sundays—even the random ones! 😉 If you haven’t joined yet, now’s a great time. Enjoy! [Read more] [Join the chat] @googlefactss #Memes #Culture #Facts

On 14 December 557, a powerful earthquake (magnitude 6.4) struck Constantinople, severely damaging the city’s walls and the Hagia Sophia, whose dome collapsed the next year. The destruction weakened the city’s defenses, enabling Hun invaders to breach Constantinople easily. 🌍🏛️ [Read more] @googlefactss #History #ByzantineEmpire #Earthquake #Constantinople

The Magnitsky Act, signed into law by President Obama who on 14 December 2012, punishes Russian officials involved in human rights abuses and corruption. It freezes their US assets and bans them from entering the US. The law is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in prison after exposing government fraud. 🇺🇸⚖️🇷🇺 [Read more] @googlefactss #MagnitskyAct #HumanRights #USLaw

Dordolec are hanging dolls or stuffed toys in Albania, mostly in the south. They hang outside homes to protect against the evil eye, which means bad luck from jealous looks. These dolls are believed to catch negative energy and stop harm to people and property. The custom grew again after the 1990s when social differences increased. [Read more] @googlefactss #Albania #Dordolec #EvilEye #Tradition 🧸🛡️

The oldest known use of oil paint was found in caves behind the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, dating to the mid-7th century AD. Artists used walnut and poppy seed oils to bind mineral pigments. The giant Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. The murals show Buddha scenes and reflect influences from China, India, and Eurasia, linked to Silk Road artists. [Read more] @googlefactss 🎨🕌 #Afghanistan #OilPaint #Bamiyan #Taliban #SilkRoad #ArtHistory

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Eels undergo a life cycle called catadromous. This is when an animal is born in salt water, migrates to fresh water to grow, and then returns to the ocean to spawn @googlefactss #fish

The name Italy comes from the Oscan(an extinct southern Italy language) word víteliú, meaning “calf land,” perhaps because the bull was a symbol of the Southern Italian tribes. @googlefactss #nowyouknow #europe

Saddam Hussein was captured on December 13, 2003, by U.S. forces near Tikrit, Iraq, ending his years in hiding after the 2003 Iraq invasion. His capture marked a significant moment in the Iraq War, leading to his trial and eventual execution for crimes against humanity. This event symbolized a major shift in Iraq’s political landscape. 🇮🇶⚖️ [Read more] @googlefactss #SaddamHussein #IraqWar #MilitaryHistory #USForces #MiddleEast

Ants don't have lungs. They breathe through tiny holes along the sides of their bodies called spiracles. These connect to a network of tubes (tracheae) that deliver oxygen directly to their tissues. [Read more] @googlefactss #Ants #Biology #Entomology #ScienceFacts

🚗 The name "Mazda" comes from Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian god of wisdom, intelligence, and light. The company was founded in 1920 by Jujiro Matsuda, who chose the name both for its similarity to his surname and its inspiring meaning of innovation and light. [Read more] @googlefactss #Mazda #CarHistory #BrandOrigin #AutoFacts #JapaneseCars

Drowsy driving causes 1 million crashes, 500,000 injuries, and 8,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Just one sleepless night can impair performance as much as a blood-alcohol level of 0.10 percent, beyond the legal limit to drive. Like alcohol, sleep deprivation also affects judgment, making it harder to assess how impaired you are when you're tired. [Source] @googlefactss #sleep #zzzz #health

🔍 The Laotian rock rat is a remarkable Lazarus species—a living fossil rediscovered in Laos in 1996 after being thought extinct for 11 million years. This unique rodent resembles a small, dark-furred squirrel and belongs to an ancient family once known only from fossils. [Source1] [source2] @googlefactss #LazarusSpecies #LivingFossil #Wildlife #Conservation #LaotianRockRat

The first hard disk drive to reach the 1-gigabyte (GB) capacity weighed approximately 227-250 kgs (500 - 550 pounds) for the main unit. This device, the IBM 3380 direct access storage device, was announced by IBM in 1980. It was roughly the size of a refrigerator and carried a price tag of approximately $40,000. @googlefactss #technology

“Blue balls” (epididymal hypertension) is a temporary feeling of pressure or mild pain in the testicles caused by sexual arousal without orgasm. Blood flow increases to the genitals and builds pressure that is usually relieved by ejaculation. The testicles do not turn blue. Women can have a similar feeling called “blue vulva” or “blue bean.” The discomfort usually lasts a few minutes but can last hours. Symptoms include aching, heaviness, and mild pain. Priapism is different; it is a long erection lasting over 4 hours and needs emergency care. To ease blue balls, try self-relief, distraction, exercise, or warm/cold showers. Talking openly with partners can help reduce the chance of this discomfort. 🩵🍆💙🍑 [Read more] [Read more nsfw] @googlefactss #BlueBalls #Health #SexEducation

Jamhuri Day (Swahili: “Republic Day”) — is Kenya’s national day, celebrated on December 12. It marks independence from Britain (12 Dec 1963) and becoming a republic (12 Dec 1964). Common observances: flag‑raising, presidential speeches, parades, cultural performances, and civic ceremonies. If you’re Kenyan or were there during the festivities, share your photos. @googlefactss #JamhuriDay #Kenya #Independence