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TIL about the Hunger Plan developed by Nazi Germany during World War II, which entailed the death by starvation of about 30 millions of "racially inferior" Slavs following the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. It led to the starvation of over 4 million citizens of the USSR between 1941-44.

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d15r TIL Yew trees can exceed 1000 years, are often found in graveyards, and have a long association with death; they’re deadly poisonous to humans, with no known antidote. However, the tree is used to make taxanes, which are used to fight cancer.
Vx54 TIL, when Carl Linnaeus was in Hamburg, the mayor proudly showed him the remains of a seven-headed hydra. Linnaeus found out the remains were fake and made it public. As a result Linnaeus was forced to leave Hamburg immediately, as he crushed the mayor´s dream of selling the hydra for a large sum.
6EkAQ TIL that in Norse myths in the final battle of Ragnarok, Loki will pilot a ship made of fingernails and toenails of dead men across the flooded surface of the Earth. The ship is carrying the fire giants which will burn the World Tree and bring about the end of all things.
5YObQ TIL that in 1939 20,000 Americans met in Madison Square Garden, then rallied in support of Hitler and the Nazis.
gMNyX TIL of the Campden Wonder, which refers to a man who went missing in the English town of Chipping Campden, in the 17th Century. A family servant and the servant's mother and brother were hanged for killing their master, but following the man's return it became clear that no murder had taken place.