› added 11 months ago

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TIL that Ancient Romans used to use urine as mouthwash. The ammonia in urine was believed to have a whitening effect on teeth.

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0dQRR TIL the exact cause of Joseph Merrick's deformities (who was known as The Elephant Man) remains unclear. DNA tests on his hair & bones in 2003 were inconclusive because his skeleton had been bleached numerous times over the years before going on display at the Royal London Hospital.
84wZ TIL living near coal-fired power stations exposes people to higher radiation doses than living near nuclear plants
WkdkY TIL that a greek messenger Pheidippides reported the victory from the battle of Marathon to Athens. That's how 'Marathon race' got it's name.
neJmP TIL as part of his release, John Hinckley Jr. (who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan) is not allowed to drink alcohol, listen to violent music, look at pornography, or delete his browser history.
kOA6d TIL Robert E Lee was depressed during and after the civil war. After Gettysburg he walked around telling his soldiers "It's all my fault" and before his surrender he was observed to be deeply saddened, wandering aimlessly by himself, carrying a piece of chicken for which he could find no hunger