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TIL that, after becoming the first white man to run 100 meters in under 10 seconds, French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre received a formal letter of invitation from the Ku Klux Klan. He did not respond.

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5Y5oR TIL Monty Python member Terry Gilliam was author J.K Rowling’s first choice to direct the first Harry Potter movie, but was rejected for Chris Columbus. inan interview he said “I was the perfect guy to do Harry Potter… I mean, Chris Columbus’ versions are terrible. Just dull. Pedestrian”
mxwWE TIL A Roman slave master, Vedius Pollio, kept sharp-toothed moray eels in a pool, to throw slaves in to be eaten alive. Wen Emperor Augustus came, a slave accidentally broke a goblet. When Augustus tried to plead for the man's life, Pollio refused. Augustus ordered all Pollio's goblets smashed.
E1W0x TIL that dog obesity is positively correlated with owner obesity. This effect is only seen in dogs and not cats. The study suggests that this correlation can be attributed to obese owners walking their dogs less. No explanation other than neutering is given for the variation in weight among cats.
600m TIL that a 14 year old teenager has written a letter to the government explaining how they can save around $400 million on ink by simply changing the font on their documents.
nWGaW TIL the Swiss constitution of 1848 modelled itself on the US constitution, adopted fundamental rights and the separation of powers, but opted for a seven-member council instead of a single president to balance power regionally.