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TIL that the word 'abracadabra" dates as far back as the 2nd century AD

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8eQg8 TIL that in 2008, the city of Chicago sold the rights to collect revenue from its parking meters to a foreign-owned company, receiving a sum of $1.2 billion against a 75 year lease. Investors have collected $2.1 billion so far, for a yearly RoR of only 4.3%. Chicago has made a handsome profit.
Me5a8 TIL of Bathykorus bouilloni, commonly referred to as the Darth Vader jellyfish. These transparent deep-sea jellies are found in the Arctic Ocean at depths below 1,000m (3,300ft). They got their unique nickname due to their body shape closely resembling that of Darth Vader's famous helmet.
wogxW TIL that Royal Navy nuclear submarines monitor BBC Radio 4 broadcasts, and if the signal is interrupted, it allegedly indicates the UK is under nuclear attack.
KYNE TIL the CDC issued a report outlining the very real likelihood of an impending untreatable gonorrhea epidemic.
P1pmn TIL in 1941, Allied forces fought a successful delaying action against the invading Nazis at Thermopylae, the very spot where Spartans fought a successful delaying action against the invading Persians in 480 B.C.