› added 10 years ago

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TIL that from 1964 to 1973 the United States dropped 2 million tons of bombs on Laos — enough for a full plane load every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 9 years.

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kMjB TIL Philippe Petit, then a 24 year old French high-wire artist, illegally high-wire walked between the Twin Towers 8 times over 45 minutes in 1974. Charges were dropped after he performed for kids in Central Park.
oZw8 TIL that an octopus has an arm that also functions as a tongue AND a penis
yryJ TIL for the Star Wars: Episode V, Lucas paid a fine and resigned from the Directors Guild rather than obey its demand that he begin with conventional opening credits.
wL971 TIL of Princess Pingyang. At age 28, she built & led a rebel army that won the 1st victories of her father's rebellion and helped found their dynasty: the Tang. When she died in 628 AD her brother, Emperor Gaozu, went against gender norms of his day and insisted a state military funeral for her.
7rd1x TIL Marius was a famous Roman general, but during a civil war he refused to leave his fortification. An enemy general said, "So if you are such a great general, Marius, why not come down and fight it out?" Marius replied, "Well, if you think you are any good a general, why don't you try to make me?"