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TIL Peter Jackson’s overuse of green screen technology in The Hobbit caused Sir Ian Mckellen to break down into tears on the set.

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WkL8L TIL in 1071, the Byzantine Emperor was captured in battle by the Great Seljuk Empire. The Emperor was brought to the Sultan, Alp Arslan, and told him that had he won, he likely would have had him executed. Alp Arslan replied "My punishment is far heavier. I forgive you, and set you free."
0ddXv TIL in France it is illegal to disinherit one’s children, meaning that a particular share of the deceased’s estate is legally required to be kept for their children, or for their spouse if they had no children
GYE01 TIL the marriage of Oscar-winning actress Gloria Grahame (It's A Wonderful Life) to director Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without A Cause) ended in 1950 when he walked in on her in bed with his 13-year-old son -- Her stepson. She secretly married the boy ten years later.
WkG8d TIL American Trillion is smaller than European Trillion.
9QkB TIL in ancient Athens, the worlds first democracy, they had a process called ostracism, where once a year the people could vote on the politician they thought was most destructive to the democratic process. The “winner” was banished from Athens for 10 years.