In order for MIT students to graduate, they must pass a swim test as it's deemed "a self-survival skill."Source

Sri Lanka has a Ministry and Minister of Coconut Development.Source

During the Cold War, CIA agents used a method of communication based on how their shoelaces were tied.Source

When Southwest began using the motto "Just Plane Smart," Stevens Aviation, which had been using "Plane Smart," advised of infringing its trademark. Instead of a lawsuit, the CEOs staged an arm wrestling match. The loser paid to a charity of his choice and the winner claimed the …

The motto on the United Kingdom's coat of arms is in French.Source

Sony is primarily an insurance company in Japan and electronics are not their main source of income.Source

Enligsh is the universal "language of the skies". All pilots must learn and speak English, regardless of their origin.Source

When telephones first came into commercial use you had to whistle loudly into the receiver to get the other person's attention, as telephone bells hadn't been invented yet.Source

England used to have a "window tax". People refused to disclose how much money they made, considering it an invasion of privacy - so you would be charged based on how many windows your house had. In retaliation, people bricked up their windows, which you can still see today.Source

Mitsubishi logo is based on the literal translation of the words in Japanese. Mitsubishi translates to "three diamonds".Source