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TIL that the Byzantine emperor Basil II captured over 15,000 Bulgars. He ordered 99% of the prisoners to have both of their eyes gouged out, and left the 1% with one eye left to guide the others back to their king. This is how Basil earned the title "the Bulgar Slayer"

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8aM6a TIL that shark skin is made up of hundreds of rows of small teeth. When flattened through forward movement, they create tiny vortices that reduce drag, turbulence and noise.
rdPe TIL of Trinite, the glass created by the first nuclear weapon detonation, was sold and used as jewelry before it was found to cause radiation burns.
pYJbZ TIL why insects circle lights at night: They evolved to become masters of flight by relying on the brightest thing they see — the sky — to know which way is up and keep their back toward it. At night, they confuse artificial light for the sky, ending up trapped in a cycle trying to stay orientated.
D1w9r TIL that the Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought the country of New Zealand so much attention, that the government of New Zealand has a "Minister of the Rings", who is responsible for all affairs involving the production of LOTR in New Zealand.
vPNJB TIL the domestic cat (Felis catus) is linked to the extinction of at least 63 vertebrate species (40 birds, 2 reptiles, and 21 mammals).