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TIL of William S. Clark who founded what would become Hokkaido University. Although forgotten in America, he had a significant impact on the scientific and economic development of Hokkaido and is widely revered in Japan. His parting words to his college were, "Boys, be ambitious!"

wLNx7 TIL that Matthew McConaughey originally auditioned with Kate Winslet for 'Titanic' (1997) and was confident he got the role of Jack, but Leonardo DiCaprio interviewed next and James Cameron said every woman in the building showed up for the meeting so he thought, 'maybe I should cast this guy'.
8e4eG TIL After his fall from power, Cesare Borgia died while besieging a small castle in Navarre: He was chasing a party of knights in the early morning under heavy rain and fell into an ambush. He was stabbed 25 times, indicating that he attempted to take on the ambushers on his own
R784 TIL That Vermont was its own republic from 1777 to 1791. It applied to join the US and was denied, then tried to join Quebec and failed. They were finally accepted as the 14th State in 1791.
NjgN TIL all new employees and recently-promoted executives at the Japanese company Dentsu have to climb Mount Fuji. This has happened every July since 1925.
WkYjB TIL Ric Weiland, Microsoft’s second employee, quietly donated to various organizations, including 11 different LGBTQ nonprofits. By the time of his passing in 2006 - suicide following a battle with depression - he had donated $21.5 million, and bequeathed an additional $170 million.