› added 4 months ago

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TIL that the Saint Lucia Racer is considered the rarest snake in the world with only about 18-40 individuals left, surviving on two tiny islands after invasive predators wiped them out on the mainland.

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mjLp TIL that after receiving 13 liters of blood at age 13, a man named James Harrison pledged to donate blood once he turned 18. It was discovered that his blood contained a rare antigen which cured Rhesus disease. He has donated blood a record 1,000 times and saved 2,000,000 lives.
gr7VA TIL a musical road was built to honor R. Lee Ermey, the "Gunny" known for Full Metal Jacket. Special grooves play "The Marines' Hymn" when driven over.
v18eL TIL the pistols used in the Hamilton v Burr duel (owned by Hamilton) were not equal. One was modified with a hair trigger, allowing one to shoot faster, with less pull.
5Y7BB TIL scientists were able to spin a calcium carbonate molecule to 600 million RPM, generating 1 billion Gs of force. Unfortunately, the molecule spun so fast that it disappeared from the experimental chamber and scientist are still trying to find out where it went to this day.
VBGxB TIL Saoirse Ronan's father is also an actor who plays a postman with a crippling gambling addiction in an Irish soap opera