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TIL that mysteriously dark regions on Mars are made of glass

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ANAKx TIL In 1906 Andrew Carnegie formed the Simplified Spelling Board to fix spelling in the English language. Teddy Roosevent was ready to impose their recommendations but he and Carnegie disagreed on how to get the public to adopt. So we're still stuck with that "d" and "e" in Wednesday.
R7OD8 TIL In archeology an inscription of a language's alphabet is called an abecedarium (pronounce ay-bee-see-dare-ee-um). They're usually practice exercises from ancient students who were learning to write.
NXbj6 TIL: the Barbie doll is based on a German doll named Lilly that was based on a cartoon in a tabloid and initially sold to adults. Barbie and Ken were named after the children of Mattel's founders.
w5E8 TIL the oldest surviving Union Civil War Veteran lived to see the end of the Korean War
xJP5 TIL that flight attendants hate serving Diet Coke because at the high altitude it takes up to three times longer for its fizz to settle than for other soft drinks.