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TIL in 1955, a plaster buddha statue more than 600 years old was dropped during an attempt to move it to a new location. After some of the plaster coating was chipped off, it was revealed that the plaster was covering a statue made of solid gold.

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PYEpg TIL that the Eiffel Tower still exists today because Choltitz, a German infantry general, refused direct orders from Hitler to destroy it
WkOAd TiL When F4 Phantom pilots were carrying a nuclear payload, they were issued an eye patch. Before they flew into the target area, they would put the eye patch on, just in case they accidentally blinded themselves with one of their own nukes, they'd still have one good eye. Link is a pilot interview
b6gj7 TIL that the phrase "indicting a ham sandwich" originated from former Judge Sol Watchler, who was later indicted himself for extortion, racketeering, and blackmail. He pled guilty and served 15 months in federal prison.
eppgg Today I learned that the blue component of the light spectrum is essential for phenolic compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, etc.) production and accumulation in higher plants. This is possible thanks to photoreceptor signaling, especially involving cryptochromes.
M7Bv0 TIL that the misconception that the Glock pistol can get through an X-Ray machine without being flagged, is linked to the film Die Hard 2.