› added 5 years ago

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TIL: NYC yellow cabs and livery cars have a 4.5-inch amber flasher (aka a "trouble light") on the rear. Its serves as a way to alert outsiders that they are feeling threatened. It's like their version of a silent alarm banks use.

Read more cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com

via reddit.com

0dM5R TIL that during World War II, Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat posted as an acting consul in Lithuania, disobeyed his government's instructions and issued visas for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution.
8aRAV TIL about Sir Morien, a historically black member of King Arthur's round table
E17eX TIL Blanket octopus females, can reach nearly seven feet in length, compared with males that are about 0.9 inch long. They're also 40,000 times heavier than the male.
grVyD TIL that Mammatus clouds look like pouches hanging from the sky. These rare cloud formations are typically found beneath thunderstorm anvil clouds and are often a sign of severe weather. They appear as a series of bulbous, sagging pockets and are formed by sinking air.
xW1B TIL a pencil can draw a line that’s roughly 35 miles long.