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TIL that Crassus, a Roman general and also one of the richest men in history, used to purchase buildings on fire for a very low price and then put the fires out with his trained army of 500 slaves and rebuild them. If the owners refused to sell their property, he would not engage in firefighting.

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GAPy5 TIL Franconian Switzerland, one of Germany's oldest tourist regions in Upper Franconia in the state of Bavaria, owes its name to 19th century travellers. They gave the former "Muggendorfer Gebürg" its current name because the area reminded them of Switzerland with its mountains, valleys and rocks.
WkObd TIL that the US gave the Soviet Union 44,000 jeeps, 375,883 trucks, 8,071 tractors, 12,700 tanks, 1,541,590 blankets, and 331,066 liters of Alcohol for the war effort against the Nazis, and $500 billion in financial recovery to European countries.
9MMp TIL a way to check if you’re in a Lucid dream is to read some text whilst dreaming. The words will either appear illegible, or if you look away then re-read the text, the words will have changed. (Section B.4.a. of link)
rRXw TIL that most recycling companies throw out plastic water bottles that still have the cap on, due to it being a different type of plastic than the bottle.
e0nlD TIL of Silas Soule, an abolitionist who, among other accomplishments, was present at the Sandy Creek Massacre where he refused to order his men to fire. He testified at Congress against his commanding officer and was murdered soon after, likely as a result of his testimony.