› added 4 years ago

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TIL that air traffic controllers get a break every 2 hours. When controllers remain "on position" for more than 2 hours without a break, performance can deteriorate rapidly, even at low traffic levels.

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rRmVy TIL in 1921 a group of workers in a fertilizer factory stuck dynamite in a 4.5k lbs block of hardened ammonium nitrate to loosen it up. The resulting explosion killed 500 people, destroyed 80% of the surrounding homes and ripped the roofs off of buildings 15 miles away.
oB44R TIL Australia has the highest cigarette tax rates in the world, with a 12.5% yearly excise being applied since 2010. This will continue until 2020, when the average packet of cigarettes is projected cost about AU$40 (USD$30). This compares to about $6-8 in the US and the EU.
ANkjx TIL traditional Albanian tribal law (Kanun) may have originated in the Bronze Age, predating the Roman empire and the Homerian epics. Kanun is based on honor, hospitality, right conduct, and kin loyalty. In some parts of Albania, men are confined at home to avoid triggering inter-family blood feuds.
bWmN TIL Of John Bunting, a serial killer who convinced his friends to kill innocent people by telling them they were pedophiles.
eRZE TIL Britain went to war with Iceland 3 times in just under 20 years from 1958 - 1976, over multiple fishing disputes. These are known as the Cod Wars and only ended when Iceland threatened to close a major Nato base.