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TIL Dynamite is pretty much just tiny algae fossils soaked in nitroglycerin

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QNx66 TIL Napoleon indirectly began the process of Latin American independence when the power vacuum was filled by local politiccal. Such leaders embraced nationalistic sentiments influenced by French nationalism and led successful independence movements in Latin America.
4XAew TIL in 2003 the smoke from large bushfires in Canberra, Australia formed a Cumulonimbus Flammagenitus. Essentially the fire created its own supercell storm, complete with lighting and forming an F3-rated fire tornado. The tornado and associated fire killed 4 people and injured 492 others.
P5KZ TIL there’s a 19 year old who has a plan to clean up half of the pacific garbage patch in 10 years - it would remove over 77,000 tons of plastic from the ocean
8e8R4 TIL that contrary to popular belief, sitting "straight" is bad for the back as it puts pressure on the spine, the position with the least pressure was found to be leaning 135 degrees backwards
BrnVd TIL at the UK State Opening of Parliament, Yeomen of the Guards (Queen's Bodyguards) still check underneath the House of Lords for traces of Gunpowder. It is a tradition that dates back to Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Once they get the all clear they have a ceremonial glass of whiskey