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TIL A solar super storm on July 23 2012 missed Earth by just 9 days. If it had hit, as one did in 1859, it would have sent us back to the 18th century overnight, rendering our electrical systems inoperable (incl. satellites).

Read more science.nasa.gov

via reddit.com

XJOD TIL that during the Mexican-American war an estimated 700 Irish men deserted the US Army to join the Mexicans and fought in the Battle of Churubusco. The were called Batallón de San Patricio (St. Patricks battalion) and are considered heroes of Mexico.
wLNyW TIL that Omar Bongo was the President of Gabon for 42 years, from 1967 until his death in 2009. After Cuban President Fidel Castro stepped down in February 2008, Bongo became the world's longest-ruling non-royal leader. He was one of the longest-serving non-royal rulers since 1900.
OoP0X TIL A field sobriety test doesn't determining whether you're sober or not or even to what degree you are intoxicated. It is simply a means for a cop to obtain evidence that you are intoxicated even if you're not.
lobAN TIL that William Shatner is a Brony.
v1bAK TIL the arteries of the blue whale—the largest living creature on earth—are so big that a full-sized human being could swim through them. Blue whales can grow to over 100 ft long, and weigh over 100 tons. Their hearts can weigh up to 1,300 lb—with aortas over 9 inches in diameter & HR of 8-10 bpm.