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TIL Downtown Houston's Sam Houston Park preserves a green oasis filled with historic homes dating from the 1800s, surrounded by freeways and skycrapers. Since the 1950s, a group of Houstonians made efforts to save many fine old buildings from demolition

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Br9Ak TIL Victoria Coren Mitchell's fear-of-flying counsellor was killed in a plane crash
x6Jj1 TIL the oil behind poison ivy, urushiol, can also be cured and turned into a fine lacquer used in Asian decor
EgONo TIL - In many native American societies, hierarchies were eschewed and persuasion was employed to decide public policy. Rational oratory was a highly valued skill and Kondiaronk's were reputed to be second to none. His skills won him tours of the salons of Paris.
kOkNW TIL Remoras' front dorsal fins have evolved to enable them to adhere by suction to the smooth surfaces of a host animal such as whale, turtle, shark or ray. Remoras get a free ride and protection, thus saving them valuable energy.The remora is doing its host a huge service by hoovering up parasites.
LkXwZ TIL that Saddam Hussein's love of a grilled fish dish called masgouf led to his capture in 2003.