› added 1 month ago

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TIL that the location of the worlds tallest tree, a Coast Redwood nicknamed Hyperion, is kept secret to prevent damage. It stands at 380.8 ft (116.07 m). Visiting the tree can land you a $5,000 fine, and up to 6 months in jail

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nlbP TIL that Rudolf Diesel designed the diesel engine to run on vegetable oil
W06d TIL A woman reported missing 42 years earlier was found sitting dead in front of her TV. Her apartment was like a time capsule.
awgjo TIL about "Stolpersteine" (german for stumbling stones) which are small cobblestones with the names and fates of Nazi Victims. They are placed all over Europe in front of the last free home the victim had before deportation. Over 70,000 have been placed so far.
YpkBG TIL that during the Austro-Prussian War, Liechtenstein had an army of 80 men. During the conflict no men were injured or killed and they returned home with 81 men because they’d made an Italian friend along the way. The army was then disbanded and Liechtenstein hasn’t had a military since.
OA7 TIL A man protested against the 1956 olympic torch relay by carrying a fake flame, consisting of a pair of underpants set on fire in a plum pudding can, attached to a chair leg. He tricked onlookers and even handed it to the Mayor of Sydney, Pat Hills before escaping without being noticed