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TIL Yao Ming was a chemically engineered propaganda experiment that went well.

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54J8 TIL that in 1959, an experimental nuclear reactor meltdown in Simi Valley (35 miles from Los Angeles) released an estimated 458 times more radiation than the Three Mile Island incident. The site remains radioactive to this day, which is surrounded by 500,000 people within 10 miles
kJVNW TIL that animals showing bravery in helping others are honored by the North Shore Animal League with the "Scarlett Award", named for a stray cat who risked her life to save her five kittens from a fire.
4XgKJ TIL Apocalypse Now (1979) director Francis Ford Coppola came up with the title to make fun of hippies, because of a popular button badge that said "Nirvana Now", during the 60s
mx5Zv TIL Sickle Cell Anemia (a condition which disproportionately afflicts Africans) provides protection against Malaria. It is believed that the reason why Africans are more likely to have S.C.A. is Africans benefited from the condition from living in a Malaria risk location.
jNgjj TIL that in England in 1688, there were 50 offences that were punishable by death, that number had almost quadrupled by 1776, and it reached 220 by the end of the century. The Judgement of Death Act of 1823 relaxed this, limiting execution for all crimes except treason and murder.