› added 5 years ago

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TIL that the city of Sochi, Russia erected a fish statue costing about 3800 USD in honor of Gambusia affinis (aka mosquito fish) since, after introducing the fish in the early 1900s, there have been no cases of malaria for over 60 years.

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NXd68 TIL Greenland's name was made by Erick the Red hoping that the pleasant name would lure other settlers to the island. To some extent, the trick worked because several Vikings from Iceland who were escaping famine managed to establish some settlements in Greenland after a few years.
Jkvk TIL that there was a parrot named Alex, who was the first and only animal ever to ask a self-aware question
kJWXE TIL that Wilma Flintstone was the first animated character to be depicted as being pregnant
696nZ TIL Obituary writers have their own awards, they're called The Grimmys.
gMmlD TIL the tallest wave ever recorded reached 524m when it struck land. This is the height of building 1 of the World Trade Center (including the antenna)