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TIL that many of the first giant sequoia trees discovered by western explorers were cut down and exhibited at World's Fairs. Due to the sheer size of the trees, many fair attendees claimed they were hoaxes.

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nWrld TIL an apocryphal story states that the Roman Emperor Honorius was shocked upon the news of the 410 AD Sack of Rome. However, the emperor thought the news regarded one of his favorite pet chickens named Roma, and upon learning it was the city of Rome, the emperor breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
5VK1p Today I Learned that there was an 870-person-capacity jail boat moored off Riker's Island in NYC which was in use as recently as last year.
OAVR TIL that when it came time to remove the support beams from newly erected cathedral vaults in the Middle Ages, they had about a 50% failure rate.
xVm11 TIL that Atilla the Hun died of a nosebleed. On his wedding night, he drank heavily and passed out in his bed. He then had a severe nosebleed and choked to death on his own blood.
9w7A7 TIL The US Navy still operates wooden ships.