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TIL Alaska is larger than all but 18 sovereign countries. It also has a longer coastline than all of the other U.S. states combined.

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GboN TIL when the Soviet Union launched the 1st satellite (Sputnik) into space in 1957, the event created such a profound public shock in the US that, in less than a year, congress had increased education funding six-fold and Eisenhower had signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act - creating NASA.
DQ56p TIL the Largest Train Robbery in U.S. History occurred in Suburban Chicago in 1924. During "The Rondout Train Robbery" in Lake County, IL over $2 Million Dollars ($35 Million in 2023) was stolen from a Mail Train's Clerks by the Newton Boys and their accomplices, which included a Postal Inspector.
Mennb TIL about 'The Lost Year.' On September 12, 1958 Gov. Faubus closed all Little Rock, Arkansas high schools for a year rather than allowing desegregation to continue. Teachers and administrators were required to fulfill their contractual obligations and appear for work in empty schools.
OGVxL TIL for nearly 15 years, the NCAA banned South Carolina from hosting any of their tournaments due to a Confederate Flag being flown at the state capitol.
oBRWY TIL that without oceans, complex earth-like life is unlikely to evolve because oceans ensure stability of surface temperatures between extremes