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TIL That John Phillip Sousa, A Famous Bandleader, Composer, and "The March King" Hated Records, as he called them "Canned Music" or "Mechanical Music"

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vPbx TIL in 1848 an iron rod exploded through the skull of a railroad foreman and landed 80 feet away. He was speaking and walking minutes later. The doctor didn’t believe him until a “teacupful of the brain” fell on the floor. He died 12 years later, after having portraits made of him holding the rod
l7nDr TIL about what is considered to be the most challenging college entrance exam ever. It is administered by the All Souls College of the University of Oxford since 1878. Examinees are required to finish 12 hours worth of written exams and only 1-2 candidates are admitted per year.
KO0kB TIL an octopus named Otto caused a power outage at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg, Germany by climbing to the edge of his tank and squirting a jet of water at a 2,000-watt spotlight that was annoying him.
QJ7Na TIL the Wood Frog can go eight months without peeing. While it hibernates, it uses the urea (the main waste in urine) to protect their cells and tissues, even as the critters heart, brain and bloodstream stop.
ZlJa TIL The German Parliament building has a glass dome above it and people can walk over it. This is to remind the politicians that government should be transparent, and the people are always above them.