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TIL the highest natural point in Rhode Island, Jerimoth Hill, was once considered one of the more difficult state highpoints to scale despite being a gentle hill only 812 feet above sea level, as the trail up the hill passed through the private property of an old man who would threaten trespassers.

1aX8r TIL to "troll the ancient yule tide carol" means to β€œto sing in a full, rolling voice; to chant merrily or jovially.”
k7LW TIL Eastern Russia has a “Valley of Death” where volanic hydrogen sulfide gasses displace all oxygen for a metre or so above ground level. This kills animals which attracts scavengers who are also killed in an endless chain of death.
LkWWd TIL that "celebrity psychiatrist" Dr. Isaac Herschkopf manipulated a patient into cutting off his family, giving him his home, signing over his bank account, and amending his will to leave everything to the doctor's wife. Yet Dr. Herschkopf still maintains his medical license in New York City today.
4aba TIL: A 71-year-old man was convicted of murder for shooting the man who robbed him of $18,000 of property. The Assistant District Attorney argued that “The law recognizes the right to self-defense, but you can never take a human life for property,” that the man should have yelled for help instead.
NX7lb TIL in the 18th century, rich people usually owned a large wig for formal occasions and a smaller one to wear at home. Wigs were a status symbol and were also the target of thieves due to how costly some of them were. Those who couldn't afford wigs tried to make their real hair look like one.