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TIL the striped appearance of some tulips was originally caused by a virus that infects their bulbs to “break” their solid colors. This appearance was highly sought after during the 17th century Dutch “tulip mania;” however, the virus results in smaller tulips with weakened bulbs and shorter stems.

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gMPp4 TIL a Chinese general once scared away an army of 10,000, with a flute. The well known general sat on the wall of his undermanned city playing the flute, with the gates flung open. The opposition assumed it to be a trap and retreated.
Brwgx TIL even though fierljeppen is one of the most famous sports in the Netherlands, fierljeppen is not known as much in other parts of the world.
kM9m TIL for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese government announced that people could apply for permits to protest in designate areas. None of the permits were granted, and many of those who applied disappeared or were arrested.
xA8w TIL a 90 year old woman with no heirs signed a contract with a 47 year old lawyer giving him her apartment upon her death, but he had to pay her a monthly allowance until she died. She outlived him and his widow continued the payments. She received approximately double the value of the apartment.
1aPxD TIL during the Golden Age of Piracy, many pirates set up social safety net programs such as disability payments for injuries sustained while at sea, as well as life insurance to be paid to a pirate’s family if they died.