› added 4 years ago

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TIL to increase circulation of dollar coins, in 2008 the US Mint allowed individuals to purchase in bulk with free shipping. It was quickly exploited as a way to gain frequent flyer miles. People purchased coins with a credit card, then deposited them at their bank to pay the bill, cost free.

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QRD9 TIL that George Washington once said that “Overgrown military establishments” under any form of government are “Inauspicious to liberty” and “are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty”
4o5b TIL that up to 20% of nasal tissue, or 50% of the gut is neither: bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. Meaning that it comprised of a 4th, unknown type of living organism.
mblE TIL that the motto of the British Royal Family, “Dieu et mon droit”, refers to their claim that they have a divine right to rule the country of France.
Y7Vx7 TIL there's an annual 3100 mile ultra-marathon race in which runners run around a city block in Queens, NY for 5649 laps. The record finish is a little over 40 days.
oRK67 TIL Australia's first ever medal won at the Winter Olympics was a gold medal in Short Track Skating and the skater, Steven Bradbury, was dubbed "the accidental hero" after winning in a very bizarre sequence of his rivals colliding in all the elimination phases (quarter-finals, semi-finals and final)