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TIL that the giant Sequoia trees that grow famously in California are also flourishing in GERMANY!

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via reddit.com

xXJB TIL that during the Nazi occupation of Greece, the mayor of the island of Zakynthos was ordered to make a list with the names of all Jews on the island. The list handed over to the Nazis contained two names: the mayor’s and the islands Bishop. All Zakynthos Jews survived the Holocaust.
oZZA TIL that Odin, a precursor to Santa Claus, rode Sleipnir, an Eight legged flying horse. In the winter, Odin gave out both gifts and punishments, and children would fill their boots or stockings with treats for Sleipnir.
l7lr5 TIL about "Zhang the Madman." A.k.a Zhang Xu, he was a celebrated Chinese calligraphist who lived in the 700s AD. According to legend, he developed his unique style by getting violently drunk and using his hair as as an ink brush. However when he sobered up, he was unable to replicate his skill.
6E9xY TIL of a form of medieval torture, where the victims feet were covered in salt water and then a goat would start licking them. Sometimes the laughter and stress from the intense tickling resulted in a heart attack or a brain hemorrhage.
16wk7 TIL that there are only about 30 Ancient Egyptian obelisks left standing worldwide—and Italy has more than Egypt.