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TIL that, uniquely, the Norwegian special territory of Svalbard is an entirely visa-free zone. No person is required visa or residence permit, and anyone may live and work in Svalbard indefinitely, regardless of citizenship.

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lmx1 TIL that Robin Williams paid a surprise visit to a paralyzed Christopher Reeve (Superman), just before the latter was scheduled for an operation; Robin showed up in a yellow gown pretending to be an eccentric Russian proctologist and said he was going to perform a rectal exam on him. Reeve laughed.
Xjbr TIL Comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks not only discovered Dave Chappelle, he also discovered Gene Wilder (The original Willy Wonka). He also served as a Combat Engineer in the Battle of the Bulge, defusing explosives, and set up his own loud speakers and sang to enemy propaganda loudspeakers.
EgoEw TIL about Lotus Isle. Once called Oregon's most surreal amusement park, a number of unfortunate happenings led to the park’s early downfall. An 11-year old boy drowned just before the opening season ended in 1930 and the next day, the President, Edwin Platt, committed suicide. More in the comments.
aDNy TIL that a Russian family of 6 lived alone in the harsh forests of the taiga for forty years before being discovered in 1978. One family member is still living out there, a region deemed uninhabitable by some of the fiercest and best equipped animals for surviving, yet this one girl manages.
epkyE TIL in 1986, John MacDougall, using the using the pseudonym "Captain Midnight", hijacked the HBO satellite signal in protest of HBO's rates for satellite owners.