› added 6 years ago

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TIL: While once considered a Sailor's myth, Rogue waves are monster waves that form with little warning, on calm ocean, and are capable of destroying even modern ocean liners. They have been recorded by satellites at 98ft high (30 meters) and hit with 140 psi while modern ships withstand 21 psi.

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b9pLa TIL, in 1948, a man wore 30-pound, 3-toed lead shoes and stomped around a Florida beach in the night. The footprints lead people to believe that a 15-foot tall penguin was roaming their lands. He kept up the prank for 10 years, visiting various beaches. The hoax wasn't revealed until 40 years later.
GvPJ TIL that Edward Packard came up with the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books when he told stories to his children, and allowed them to decide what the character did, and went on to sell of 250 million books.
GJZN TIL that 14 of the poorest African countries are forced by France, through a colonial pact, to put 85% of their foreign reserve into France central bank.They are effectively putting in 500 Billion dollars every year to the French treasury.
P1Ebw TIL about the woman who was hanging out with friends at the American Legion in a small Minnesota town. Her car slid off the icy road into a ditch. Trying to walk to a friend's house, she ended up freezing (solid!) in her friend's yard. She lived, was fine actually, and still ives in Minnesota.
Wkx7d TIL: Enya has never gone on a concert tour or even performed a solo concert, despite being Ireland’s best selling solo artist and 2nd overall behind U2.