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TIL Genghis Khan killed about 10% of the world population.

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DplV TIL that The ruins of the ancient city of Petra lay hidden until 1812, when a Swiss explorer stumbled upon them in modern-day Jordan. The man walked through the dark gorge for 1.2 kilometers. Suddenly, he laid eyes on a magnificent scene.
l7YN TIL there is a variant of chess called “Singularity Chess” played on a board distorted in the center. Due to the distortion, some pieces can make U-turns, attack the same square multiple ways, and bishops can change square colors.
X9xQ TIL: That years after defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington attended a party in Vienna, in which French guests turned their backs to him in anger. When the hostess apologised, the Duke replied: “It’s alright Madam, I’ve seen their backs before”
PY4gE TIL no Canadian owns the physical land they purchase, only an interest in the estate according to law (The Canada Act of 1982). The Canadian monarch owns 100% of Canada's land.
VaMk TIL treadmills were originally a punishment used to harness human power on a giant wheel used to grind grains; hence the name “treadmill.”