What do you know today that you didn't know yesterday?

[Mister Agenda]

In WWII, the Russians released some Polish soldiers, who went to serve under the British, stopping off in Iran where they bought a brown bear cub from a boy. The bear was named 'Wojtek' (pronounced Vostek) and became much beloved and grew up to be 490 or so lbs. He liked to smoke (or maybe eat) cigarettes, drink beer from bottles, march on two legs, ride in a jeep, and take hot showers, which he learned to operate by himself. He once came upon an enemy scout hiding in the shower, becoming the first bear to capture an axis agent. When the Poles finally hooked up with the Brits they were told they could not bring Wojtek along for the invasion of Italy due to rules about mascots and pets not being allowed; so the Polish soldiers enlisted Wojtek and made him a private. During the battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek carried 100 pound crates of ammunition and other supplies tirelessly amid gunfire and explosions. He was promoted to corporal for his exceptional contribution to the battle. After the war he retired to the Edinburgh zoo. When members of his platoon visited they would sometimes get in his enclosure to play with him. He was a frequent guest on UK TV shows, and lived to be 21. There's numerous statues and other memorials of Wojtek the soldier bear and he's on the emblem of the 22nd artillery supply company.