› added 11 years ago

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TIL the daughter of J.R.R. Tolkien believes that the description of the Dead Marshes (in LOTR) is based on the author’s experiences during the First World War.

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via reddit.com

DxZJ TIL that if a kangaroo is chased by an attacker, it will run into a body of water and hold the attacker under water. In 2009, a kangaroo almost drowned a dog after it was chased into a creek. The dogs owner was then attacked when he went to the dogs rescue, receiving a deep gash to his abdomen.
90jQ TIL that a father and son were matched against each other in the National Scrabble Championship. The father won by playing “DEFEATED” as his last word.
rONw TIL A Japanese artist named Hananuma Masakichi created a wooden sculpture of himself so life-like, people couldn’t distinguish between the statue and the artist. He even included his own hair, nails, and teeth!
wbk8 TIL Harold Williams a 20th Century Linguist and Journalist spoke 58 languages and learnt Serbian in two days. He amazed delegates at the League of Nations by speaking to each in their own language.
XEKJj TIL That the Father of General Douglas MacArthur, Arthur MacArthur Jr. was also military commander of the Philippines in 1900. Similarly he would also go on to be relieved of duty by a (future) president, Howard Taft in 1901.