› added 9 years ago

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TIL After phasing out coal power plants, Toronto has been smog free for the first time in over a decade

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JYRlk TIL that some people can voluntarily control the tensor tympani, a muscle within the ear. Contracting these muscles produces vibration and sound. The sound is usually described as a rumbling sound.
b6Woa TIL candles made out of iron and sodium chlorate produce oxygen on submarines by burning at 600°C/1,112°F. They're also used in space (on the ISS, Mir and Shuttles)
XEZJD TIL Chinese pianist Lang Lang learned to love classical music from a “Tom and Jerry” cartoon. He was just two-and-a-half years old, and was absorbed by the piece, Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody Number II, that both Tom and Jerry played on the piano
ODa6 TIL many countries pay prize money to their Olympic athletes for each type of medal won. USA pays $25,000 per gold medal while Kazakhstan pays $250,000.
lgBA TIL that a loan of £1000 at the rate of 6% p.a. was given by a UK school to the city of St Albans in 1722. St. Albans City council, despite acknowledging the loan, has not made any repayments on it. As of 2012, the debt stands at £21,800,000,000 (21.8 billion GPB).