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TIL Mocha Dick (the real life inspiration for moby dick) was killed in 1838 after appearing to come to the aid of a distrought cow whose calf was just slaughtered by whalers. He was known to be friendly until attacked, he survived 100 skirmishes before being slain.

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X0grD TIL that laughter diminished the secretion of the body's stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, while enhancing immune response and boosts secretion of growth hormone, an enhancer of these same key immune responses
loO5A TIL many pioneers of breakdancing credit their exposure to Kung Fu from watching Bruce Lee movies, which were popular among African American audiences, with having a large influence on the improvised acrobatics and dance battles that are often associated with the dance style
woQQJ TIL reparations were awarded to former slave, Henrietta Wood, in 1878. Born into slavery, sold several times before being freed. Then kidnapped and resold. Her story, written by W. Caleb McDaniel says she bought a house and sent her son to law school and shows how reparations could change lives. 9
gMGb4 TIL the Soviet Union hosted the "Friendship Games" the year they boycotted the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Participating nations included 8 other socialist states and the reserve teams from other nations that did not qualify for the Olympics.
JYxXQ TIL the first known flexible hose was an ox's intestines, used by the Greeks to fight fires. They used the stomach as a pump to force the water through.