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TIL that in 2006, some army units used Silly String to check enemy encampments for trip wires. Before entering a building, soldiers would squirt the string across the room. If it fell to the ground, it was safe. But if it hung in the air, they knew the room had trip wires.

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4XVow TIL maize, beans and squash, the three main agricultural crops of Native Americans were named Three Sisters by them for their symbiotic relationship when grown together. Maize gives structure for the beans to climb, beans provides nitrogen to the soil and squash spread-grows preventing weed growth.
d8rxr TIL Hands Across America was a benefit event staged on Sunday, May 25, 1986 in which approximately 6.5 million people held hands in a human chain for fifteen minutes.
oBM5E TIL U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sent American combat troops to Russia during the Russian Revolution to protect arms meant for the newly-collapsed Eastern Front, as well as to rescue 56,000 Czech soldiers allied with the Triple Entente who became stranded along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
5ZmD TIL that before being burned alive by the Spaniards, chief Hatuey was asked if he wanted to accept Christianity and go to heaven. Hatuey asked if Spaniards go to heaven, to which the priest that they do. Hatuey then stated that he’d rather go to hell where he wouldn’t see such cruel people.
XG8r TIL in 2008 Monty Python decided to start their own Youtube channel. They uploaded HQ videos of their sketches which in only a few days resulted in a 16,000% increase in DVD box set sales.