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TIL that, according to Diogenes Laërtius, Metrocles of Maroneia became a Cynic philosopher after having farted while practicing a speech. He became very upset, but after another philosopher (Crates) himself farted to demonstrate how natural it was, Metrocles was persuaded to let go of his shame.

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41xa TIL: There is an Octopus species that cares for her eggs for 53 months, apparently not eating during this time, then dies. This brooding period is the longest known for any animal.
epBE4 TIL about the State Banks of South Australia and Victoria, which were financial institutions owned by their respective state governments that collapsed during the 1990s due to poor investment and regulatory oversight, causing crises that brought down the two Premiers in power at the time.
kDQE TIL of United Airlines Flight 811, a regularly scheduled flight between Sydney and San Francisco that on February 24, 1989 had a cargo door fail at 22,000 feet resulting in explosive decompression. 9 passengers were blown out and killed. Two flight attendants were nearly lost as well
loAg1 TIL goldfish have a memory span of at least three months, can recognize their owners, and can be trained to do tricks. Goldfish can also see ultraviolet in addition to red, green, and blue making them tetrachromats.
v1dy4 TIL a meteor reportedly fell right on the battlefield during a war between Pontus and Rome. According to Plutarch, the sky suddenly split apart and a large silvery-hot meteor resembling a giant hogshead bombarded the ground between the armies. Both forces promptly withdrew to fight another day.