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TIL that the concept of a "white elephant" came from the King of Siam, where he gifted an albino elephant to people who displeased him; knowing that they couldn't get rid of it and that the upkeep cost would ruin them financially

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6EJ98 TIL the Death Star was actually designed before we could see the massive crater on Mimas, one of Saturn's moons, meaning its resemblance is purely coincidental.
yVvP8 TIL of HAVOC: High Altitude Venus Operational Concept - which would include artificial floating islands on Venus at an altitude that provides better living conditions than the surface of Mars or Titan
768O TIL When Queen Elizabeth was married in 1947 post-war rationing was still in effect and as a result, she had to save up clothing ration coupons to pay for her dress.
VB0n8 TIL of Feretron dance - a tradition of moving (bowing) a feretron, mobile relgious icon, in a dancing manner. It originates from Wejherowo Poland and is still practiced today.
N7vLN TIL of Elizabeth Lundy, the "grandmother of the Canadian Army". Starting in 1914, she knit 400 pairs of socks for Canadian soldiers serving overseas.