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TIL: MIT awards degrees with a certificate credentialing the graduate as a "Pirate" if they complete Archery, Fencing, Pistol (or Rifle), and Sailing classes before graduating. Certified Pirates are inducted at an official ceremony each year.

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DQEAj TIL that Atropine (the drug used to dilate eyes) is made from the "Belladonna plant". The name "bella donna" is derived from Italian and means "beautiful woman", because the herb was used hundreds of years ago by women to dilate their pupils to make them appear seductive.
4kaxw TIL that The Doors, in the space of just three-and-a-half years, managed to release 6 studio albums and one live recording. Jim Morrison’s sudden death in 1971 brought their brief but explosive run to an end, making their achievements in such a short period even more impressive.
Y70KB TIL the GEICO gecko’s name is Martin, named after The Martin Agency who created him in 1999.
VlgB TIL that Lenin wrote a letter stating that Stalin should be removed from his position as party secretary, but Stalin intercepted the letter and stayed in power.
a0Eb TIL that if you stood every single human being shoulder to shoulder we would fill the entire city of Los Angeles.