› added 9 years ago

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TIL that Benjamin Franklin attempted to predict the death of his competitor, Titan Leeds. When Leeds was still alive he posted an obituary anyways. When Leeds challenged it, Franklin insisted he was an imposter.

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Pjxe TIL Queen guitarist Brian May is an astrophysicist and member of the NASA team that interprets data from Pluto.
6EJQW TIL in 1972 Romas Kalanta was 19 year old Lithuanian high school student known for his public self-immolation protesting against soviet regime in Lithuania. His death provoked biggest post war riots and inspired 13 more similar suicides against regime. His funeral was delayed to prevent publicity.
yKGX TIL 1930 life expectancy was 60 and Social Security Retirement age was 65. Today, it is 78 and 65 respectively.
oBZE8 TIL that Jim O'Heir (Jerry Gergich on Parks and Recreation) originally auditioned for the role of Ron Swanson.
EBEw TIL of Ewa Wiśnierska, a German paraglider that survived lightning, pounding hail, -40°C temperatures and oxygen deprivation after a storm system sucked her to an altitude higher than Mount Everest.