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TIL of the "Gates of Hell" in Turkministan. In 1971, a Soviet drilling rig accidently punctured an underground natural gas cavern. To head off a environmental catastrophe, the Soviets set the gas on fire. The crater has been burning continuously for 47 years since.

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X0gZj TIL that Jean Baptiste Lully, a famous composer, died from gangrene after striking his own foot with a conducting staff
oJB7 TIL Canada abruptly cancelled the development of its own fighter jet (Avro Arrow) in the 1950s in favour of Nuclear missiles (Bomarcs). All the engineers left for NASA thereafter.
O4Be TIL A baboon was employed by the railroad as a signalman. He never once made a mistake and worked for the railroad until his death.
D1pBv TIL about Brandon Rhode, a man on death row who attempted suicide by cutting his throat before his execution date. Following the attempt, he was rushed to a local hospital where he was stabilized and saved. He was then executed a few days later.
bv4p TIL most of the Disney producers had no faith in The Lion King, saying, “I don’t know who is going to want to watch that one.”