› added 11 years ago

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TIL that elite US soldiers actually climbed 95 foot cliffs under Point Du Hoc to capture and destroy key German strongholds during the D-Day assault June 6, 1944. They then held their position for two days suffering 65% casualties.

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m1rNP TIL that Saturn's rings are believed to be relatively new, likely forming within the last 100 million years and as recently as 10 million years ago. They may disappear completely within the next 300 million years.
6EWlQ TIL the island of Ta’u in the American Somoa switched from being 100% diesel powered to 100% solar powered. A 7-acre solar farm capable of withstanding a Cat-5 hurricane supports an island population that fluctuates between 200-600 people year round, depending on the tourism season.
gGx8 TIL Sum 41’s album, Chuck, was named after a peacekeeper that saved the band (by acting as a human shield) from mortar fire.
WeyN TIL there is a ruined city on 100 artificial islands linked with canals in the Pacific Ocean dating back to the 1st Century. Scientists do not know how they were constructed. Local legend says they were built by two sorcerers with the aid of a flying dragon.
XEKPP TIL that In 1977, the power went out in New York City for about 25 hours, resulting in more than 1,000 fires being set and over 1,500 stores being looted