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TIL that Pliny the Elder, the ancient Roman historian, died at the eruption site of Pompeii evacuating survivors out of the area. When his crew began to see ash falling on their vessel as they approached, they advised him to turn back. He responded "Fortune favors the bold" and continued on.

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6EdOw TIL that in 2006, M&Ms created an ad campaign offering 2 million dark chocolate M&Ms for the one who returns "The Scream" (a famous painting that was stolen just two year prior [2004] in Norway). Just days after the campaign, the painting was found by the Norwegian Police.
XLVQ TIL that the stunt doubles for Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke’s bungee-jumping scene met on the day it was filmed. They’re now married.
w0rM TIL in 1948 the legendary guitarist Les Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident. The doctors told him that they could not rebuild his elbow, so he decided to put it in a good angle so he could keep playing guitar.
epjp6 TIL rats passed plague to fleas, who unleashed death across history. The Yersinia pestis bacteria clogged the fleas guts, making them ravenous but unable to swallow. Desperate, they bit wildly, vomiting infection into each victim. This unstoppable cycle of horror wiped out millions over centuries!
yL0V TIL Ian McDiarmid was only 38 years old when he played the Emperor in Return of the Jedi