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TIL The influenza epidemic of 1918 killed an estimated 675,000 Americans (far more than the 53,402 who died in combat in World War I). The impact was so profound as to depress average life expectancy in the U.S. by >10 years & may have played a significant role in ending the World War 1 conflict.

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5YNbR TIL of viruses that attack bacteria called ‘bacteriophages'. The term phage originates from Greek phagein, which translates as ‘to eat'. A single phage injects its genome into a bacterial cell, switching the cells' program in its favor. The host cell eventually dies, releasing about 100 new phages.
v1Zmj TIL of the Japanese Economic Miracle whereby Japan's GDP went from $91 billion in 1965 to $1.065 trillion in 1980 & was the world's 2nd largest economy. This was achieved through "shūshin koyō" or the guarantee of employment in big corporations & highly unionized blue-collar jobs.
bNl7 TIL due to a lack of family and friends in attendance at his funeral, the pallbearer’s of Lee Harvey Oswald’s casket were reporters.
aDm9 TIL that in 2017 the remaining JFK assassination files will be released
5VNOn TIL that Turkey, a majority-Muslim country, has the highest average number of lifetime sexual partners among these nations. Unexpected