› added 12 years ago

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TIL that the Battle of Salamis is believed to be one of the most significant battles in human history. Some historians believe that a Persian victory would have hamstrung the development of Ancient Greece, and by extension western civilization.

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v18O7 TIL about Kukulcania arizonica, aka the “Arizona black hole spider.” They ensnare insects by creating a velcro-like netting, inside a crevice, often on the wall of a building.
peXe TIL there’s a 13,000 square mile radio silence zone in the US where AM, FM, wifi, and cell signals are banned.
mwnP TIL Joan Garcia, a WW2 double-agent spying for Britain was so successful that Hitler personally awarded him an Iron Cross before King George gave him an Order of the British Empire. Germany never discovered his lies, making him one if not the only person to get such honors from both countries.
ADGN4 TIL that when Julius Ceasar was 25 he was captured by pirates in the Aegean Sea, the pirates demanded 20 silver talents as ransom not knowing who they captured. Ceasar insisted they demand 50 instead. When the ransom of 50 talents was, paid Ceasar assembled a fleet and crucified all of the pirates
61M8 TIL That child support in Canada is based on past income not current income. People can be ordered by the court to pay more money than they make or have ever made. If Dave Foley returns to Canada he will go to jail because the child support payments are now literally impossible.