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TIL In 1767 HMS Dolphin established friendly relations with locals on Tahiti. The relationships became more friendly when the sailors discovered that the women were eager to exchange sex for iron. This trade became so extensive that the loss of nails started to threaten Dolphin's physical integrity.

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1yod TIL on July 4, 1999, more than 100 people gathered in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia to appear in a photo. All of the people were born on the 4th of July. Birthdays for every 4th of July in the 20th Century were represented, including a baby for 1999, who was born that morning.
QNVDp TIL that Pope Felix I, who served from 269 to 274, was a key figure in early Christian theology. He opposed the teachings of Paul of Samosata, who denied the divinity of Christ, and is traditionally credited with starting the practice of celebrating Mass over the tombs of martyrs.
7Jj7 TIL the Basque language is an absolute isolated language: It has not been shown to be related to any other language despite numerous attempts
wLKM1 TIL traffic is so bad in Bangkok that Thai Traffic Police has a unit of officers trained in basic midwifery in order to assist deliveries which do not reach the hospital in time.
9AmG TIL that up until 1933 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons were released into the air at the conclusion of the parade and would stay airborne above the city for as long as a week. A return address was stitched in and people who returned them received $100 reward.