› added 11 years ago

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TIL that a lake in Kazakhstan was created using a nuclear weapon and has decayed to the point that people can swim in it

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b6EVj TIL Franklin Pierce, the 14th US president, believed that the abolitionist movement was a fundamental threat to the nation's unity, so much that he alienated anti-slavery groups by signing the Kansas–Nebraska Act and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.
W7g5X TIL in June 1998, Bill Morgan faced a near-death experience after a heart attack left him lifeless for approximately 14 minutes, only to be miraculously revived by doctors, leading to a 15-day coma. He defied the odds by winning a $30,000 car in a lottery draw, and astonishingly repeated his luck on
ZpjwG TIL in 1702, a British admiral attempted to attack a French naval squadron, but some of his captains refused to help, leading to the French escaping. The French admiral later wrote to the British admiral recommending that he execute the cowardly captains. He took his advice, shooting two of them.
wJBW TIL that the North American grey squirrel is an invasive species in Europe. After the Italian government formed a well planned eradication strategy (where the outbreak started), PETA stepped in and collapsed the program near its finish. Now the grey squirrel has spread to the rest of the continent.
Z8oLa TIL that in Japan, citizens between 40-74 have their waist measured as part of the annual health check-up. If their waist is more than 33.5" for men or 35.4" for women, they are sent to nutrition and exercise professionals, with optional counselling. Even sumo wrestlers are measured after retirement