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TIL that for decades, anatomists and zoologists were confounded by the origin of whales. Then, at the end of the 20th century, a wealth of fossil finds provided a detailed outline of how hoofed land mammals became the sea’s largest swimmers.

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eVy5 TIL that ‘Nothing’ is slang for vagina in Shakespearean
NL88 TIL a total of 56 crew members died in Star Trek’s original 5 year voyage, only 26 of whom are seen to be wearing red.
LQRgQ TIL the day after Robin Williams' suicide was announced, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline saw the highest number of calls in a single day in its history with 7,500 (twice the normal number).
5YndB TIL in Brazil it's so common to get robbed in the streets that a lot of people carry an extra cellphone (they call it the "thief's phone") so they can give it to the robber when the crime happens.
wLBDW TIL of Nedelin catastrophe. it was a launchpad accident that occurred on 24 October 1960 at Baikonur test range. explosion occurred when the second stage engine ignited accidentally, killing an unknown number (54-300) of personnel. the incident was covered up for 29 years, only to recognized in '89.