› added 12 years ago

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TIL After ships reached the end of their service lives, they are sent to poorer countries’ shores to be dissembled by workers who get paid less than 3 USD a day in near-death, toxic work environments. A large ship takes up to six months to dissemble into scrap metal, and death was not uncommon.

0Bkp TIL that Crocodiles in Vietnam are skinned alive to make “luxury” leather bags, belts, and watchstraps for the world’s leading fashion brands – including Louis Vuitton – a horrifying undercover investigation has revealed.
5ryr TIL that the last native Prince of Wales disappeared at the end of his rebellion in 1412 and managed to remain hidden despite a large bounty and an eventual pardon. His fate and location have remained a closely guarded family secret for over 600 years.
ZbWR TIL that after the release of the film The Bridge on the River Kwai, tourists came to Thailand to see the fictional bridge. Since there never was a bridge on the Kwai, the Thai renamed a portion of the Mae Klong river containing a bridge to satisfy the tourists.
a8Q4y TIL because North Dakota is often the last stop for people visiting all 50 US states, they have a "Best for Last" Club - if you advise it's the last stop on your journey, you get a commemorative t-shirt and certificate (they clap for you too!) for saving the "Best for Last"
GYXZ5 TIL That Rita Hayworth began showing signs of Alzheimer's during her 40s. Even as it worsened, people blamed her behaviour on her heavy drinking. She never got a proper diagnosis until 1979 and upon her death in 1987 at just 68, she would become a major public face for Alzheimer's Awareness.