NXxWP TIL Not only is the doomsday clock still used 77 years after it's inception, but it's been at 90 seconds to midnight since 2023 and kept there for 2024
l70y1 TIL about Pheasant Island, the smallest condominium in the world which voluntarily changes hands between France and Spain every 6 months
8e1jP TIL that America's poorest state (Mississippis) has a higher GDP per capita than China's richest province (Jiangsu). Likewise, China's poorest province (Gansu) has a higher GDP per capita than India's richest state (Goa).
P1nwL TIL 28 US states have average radon levels at or above the recommended action level for radon exposure of 4 pCi/L.
epy1D TIL The Roman emperor Jovian never stepped foot in the capital city of Constantinople during his 7-month reign.
691jX TIL 19-year-old Matilda Scheurer, a Victorian-era factory worker, died after regular exposure to Scheele's Green, a popular arsenic-based dye used in various common items at the time. She died after allegedly vomiting green, while the whites of her eyes and her fingernails turned green.
OG4RY TIL 4-yr-old Cecelia Cichan was the sole survivor of the deadliest aviation accident to have only one survive (NW Airlines Flight 2550). Her mom, dad, brother, & 153 others total died. She was found still belted in her seat, faced down with 3rd-degree burns & fractures to her skull, collarbone & leg
VBOPk TIL: Last year in 2023, a 2 decade mystery was solved regarding the identity of an Iron Age warrior. Using the tooth enamel, the warrior was a woman, suggesting women played a larger role in warfare. Being buried with a sword and mirror suggests she may have lead raids as a commander.
X0VlD TIL all residents of Chile's permanent Antarctic settlement, Villa Las Estrellas, are required to have their appendixes removed as a safety precaution because of the limited availability of medical services on the icy continent.
woyRo TIL Owen Wilson was cast to play the part of Rick Peck in Tropic Thunder, however, Matthew McConaughey replaced him after he dropped out of the film following his suicide attempt in August 2007.
R5WO7 TIL During the casting process for Armageddon (1998) Michael Bay was not impressed with Ben Affleck's screen test, calling him "a geek". Jerry Bruckheimer convinced Bay that Affleck would be a star, but he was required to lose weight, become tanned, and get his teeth capped before filming.
W7X8Y TIL Throughout Australia, there are approximately 400 courses that have greens comprised of oiled sand or some other similar material, usually due to the prohibitive cost of maintaining grass greens by small clubs in rural areas.