› added 1 year ago

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TIL the world's oldest terrarium / sealed bottle ecosystem has been thriving since 1960. The 10-gallon bottle is like a mini Earth. It has only been opened once in 53 years to add a bit more water (in 1972). Otherwise it has been sealed without fresh water or air.

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wa9W TIL The reason the West coast never gets hit with devastating hurricanes is because the Pacific ocean water is too cool to sustain them
m1XDY TIL DST was conceptualized by Ben Franklin in a satire piece about saving money on candles, proposed in the 1890's by and entomologist wanting more daylight to bug-hunt, implimented in WWI as an energy saving measure, and is now used to provide workers with more daylight.
78kx7 TIL about the way Aussie's favorable "Lamb Shank" plate resembles one of the basic traditional Persian cuisine's dinner dish called Baghali Polo ba Mahiche. Cultural affinities enchant me!
GAKEG TIL that the city of Marseille dates back to an ancient Greek colony named Massalia and is considered one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited settlements.
neD7G TIL that Lincoln considered joining the ill fated Donner Party but stayed because of family.