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TIL The Bald eagle was only officially declared the US national bird in December 2024 after nearly 250 years

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5Dbk TIL Gene Wilder refused to watch the 2005 remake of Willy Wonka because he didn’t want to be disappointed in Johnny Depp
dxeB TIL Henry Ford built a rubber factory and town in the Amazon in the 20’s to supply rubber for tires. Ultimately, he failed and abandoned the idea. The ruins remain there today.
b6oKp TIL Sumerians counted with the 3 knuckles of the 4 upper fingers on one hand, then tracked groupings with all 5 fingers on the other hand. This is why seconds and minutes are still measured sexagesimally (base 60 = 3 x 4 x 5)
VBQmp TIL that dragonflies are the world's most successful predator!
OorW6 TIL USSR banned lobotomies in 1950. Doctors there: "contrary to the principles of humanity" and "'through lobotomy' an insane person is changed into an idiot". Used in US until 1977.