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TIL that Natalie Portman speaks Hebrew(native), English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. As a student, she co-authored two research papers that were published in scientific journals.

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XE4bP TIL: In 1696, William III introduced a tax which required those living in houses with more than 6 windows to pay a levy.To avoid this, house owners would brick up all windows except 6. As the bricked-up windows prevented rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was known as daylight robbery.
8NK8 TIL That when Germany beat England in a game of football ferry workers in Scotland let any car with German license plates go for free.
PMRG TIL That the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has donated over $10,000,000 to charity since they started touring.
KYrKw TIL the US actually built a “panopticon” jail, loosely following the infamous 18th century utilitarian proposal where inmates are constantly wondering whether or not they are being watched by unseen guards: the “Twin Towers” jail in Los Angeles.
K9X9 TIL The NHL designed a puck with IR sensors in it to track it - that’s how they made it glow in the 90’s