› added 4 years ago

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Today I learned this interesting piece of history about the 19th century colonial railroad race to Yunnan! Connecting railways lines across the Asian landscapes in a bid to exert imperial dominance in Southeast Asia.

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xVDm1 TIL that Sperm whales regularly hunt and kill giant squid, resulting in epic battles between the two giant animals. We know this (despite the fact it has never been seen or filmed) due to scars on the heads of sperm whales
Ypl4x TIL Theodore Roosevelt was the first siting president to take an international trip (Panama). Prior to this it was seen taboo, citizens did not want the president mingling with royalty. Changes in America's foreign policy and barriers to travel made it a valuable part of the modern Presidency.
Mx4a TIL that cucumbers, just like tomatoes, are, botanically speaking, considered fruits. Cucumbers are also usually more than 90% water.
Lbnp TIL: In 2009, Detroit had a worse unemployment rate than during the Great Depression.
rxxd TIL that blue whales gain about 200 pounds per day for the first year of their lives