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TIL the oldest tree ever discovered was cut down by a scientist and a park ranger in order to retrieve a $50 scientific tool

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dmB9 TIL The Mormon Church created its own alphabet
4XLWg TIL in 1939 Russian minister Vyacheslav Molotov claimed bombing missions over Finland as humanitarian food deliveries for their starvng neighbours. The Finns dubbed them "Molotov bread baskets". When the firebomb was developed, the Finns called it "Molotov cocktail", as "a drink to go with the food"
rNKAo TIL avenue Victor Hugo in Paris, named after the famous french author, was named after him before he was dead. In fact, he lived on that avenue at that time. He would cheekily have mail addressed to him by using "Victor Hugo, en son avenue", meaning "Victor Hugo, in his avenue"
W7Lx4 TIL that about 90% of species in Hawaii are endemic, which means they are only found in that geographic area.
GA1KE TIL Scientists have tried to answer the question "Where have all the bloody teaspoons gone?" and discovered they have a half life of 81 days.