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TIL the word “Jumbo” alludes to a remarkably large circus elephant. The word did not exist in the English language prior to the circus attraction, which came to a halt when Jumbo was hit by a Canadian train and killed. As a result, Barnum attempted to sue the railway for $100,000.

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8adgb TIL many Plains tribes recognized certain persons having the role of "reverse" warriors, experienced warriors who in battle purposely abided by contrary, foolish or crazy principles. The "reverse" warrior charged when ordered to retreat and could only fall back when he was commanded to attack.
rRrVM TIL of Agness, a town in rural SE Oregon, that is serviced by USPS mailboat due to mountainous and isolated terrain.
OGZx1 TIL the Chinese developed a psychoactive narcotic consisting entirely of a mixture of inorganic minerals in about 200 CE. It was widely popular for about 800 years before being condemned and the recipe subsequently forgotten. This makes it the only fun reactional drug permanently lost to time.
nWXeB TIL about Sikkim, a Himalayan Kingdom that was independent for +300 years as recently as 1975, when the Chogyal, a Buddhist absolute monarch (except 1973-75) of Tibetan origin was desposed of in a referendum by his (mostly Hindu) subjects where the overwhelming majority (97%) voted to join India.
aB89 TIL the “Solar storm of 1859” was so powerful that telegraphs continued to operate after being disconnected, auroras were seen in the tropics, and miners in the Rockies thought the sun had risen early.