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TIL Genghis Khan’s chief adviser was a captured scholar named Yelu Chucai. His contribution to the Mongol Empire was to suggest that the Mongols not kill everyone, but tax them instead.

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xV4X5 TIL the Lakota Indian known as Curly had a vision that he would be protected in battle. When he was subsequently wounded he realised the vision hadn't shown scalping, so he never scalped again. He went on to be known as Crazy Horse and helped defeat Custer at Little Big Horn.
rRmGe TIL a man was actually set on fire for the cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" album. An unexpected change in wind direction during the shoot caused stuntman Ronnie Rondell's mustache to catch on fire and burn off.
pgXA TIL William James Clark, a two-time felon, was able to take command of the I-40 Bridge Disaster scene for two days by impersonating a US Army Captain.
79R7 TIL male pigs raised for pork are castrated before puberty in order to prevent naturally occurring substances from appearing in the meat that cause unpleasant odors when cooked, AKA “boar taint”.
Z8yGa TIL international students can attend for free all public colleges in Germany, Iceland, Norway and Finland; many have programs taught 100% in English; and the average tuition at colleges throughout Europe is $2,225/year.