› added 11 years ago

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TIL that ‘the wave’ was first brought to world-wide attention during the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, and for many people living outside of North America, this was the first time they had ever seen the phenomenon - English speakers outside of North America refer to it as the “Mexican wave”

pYJbZ TIL why insects circle lights at night: They evolved to become masters of flight by relying on the brightest thing they see — the sky — to know which way is up and keep their back toward it. At night, they confuse artificial light for the sky, ending up trapped in a cycle trying to stay orientated.
9Yr1D TIL that the R in APR is not an INTEREST rate, but the OVERALL rate of a loan; that is, how much the loan costs fees AND interest!
x6bjb TIL In 1997, five million Lego pieces fell off a cargo ship along the coasts of England. Ironically, many of these pieces were themed around sea creatures, this is the worst toy-related environmental disaster of all time, and beachcombers still uncover the shipwrecked plastic treasures today.
4X066 TIL that Taco Bell announced in 2001 that it would give a free taco to the entire US population if Russia's MIR space station would land in a 40x40 foot target they set up in Australia. The space station ended up missing by 12 kilometers, and Taco Bell made a "consolation" offer of two tacos for $1.
xDPk TIL that if you played the actual, framed golden record awarded to artists, it will probably play a completely different album than the one the award is for.