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TIL King Edward I of England built the largest trebuchet ever made called "the Warwolf". The Scots inside the castle surrendered by the mere sight of it but Edward used it anyways because it was so awesome and wanted to see it in action.

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x6AZB TIL The hookworm parasite is believe to have contributed to the stereotype that the people in the US South were lazy.
GAeWg TIL about the Great British Dog and Cat Massacre of 1939. In which Londoners, to prepare for war with Nazi Germany, voluntarily killed over 400,000 of their home pets in a one month period so as to ease the strain on resources.
E1Ee0 TIL Studies have shown that feeling awed by something makes one feel healthier. It also makes people feel more generous, decreases aggressive attitudes and makes them feel more satisfied with their lives.
E18bW TIL that when a high school in Florida pulled Cory Doctorow's book "Little Brother" because it 'questioned authority', the author had free copies of the book emailed to every Grade 9 and 10 student at the school.
nen87 TIL that hiccups is the same phenomenon as hypnic jerk (the contraction that makes you wake up suddenly when you're falling asleep). It's called a myoclonic jerk of the diaphragm.