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TIL 15th century Europe experienced the Great Bullion Famine in which several nations were unable to mint their own currency. The causes include the black death and the bullion outflow from trade with the East. The famine was resolved through accessing new metal sources in the New World and Africa.

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OoVNe TIL that the Maharaja(Indian King) of Jamnagar took in and agreed to look after 1000 orphaned Polish children — Jews and Catholics alike — who faced an uncertain future during World War II. The Maharaja told the children, “You may not have your parents, but I am your father now.”
l7O9r TIL in 2005, Sothebys & Christies had to play Rock-Paper-Scissors over an art collection. Sothebys assumed it was random chance, so had no strategy. But Christies studied the game & asked two 11yo twin girls, who picked scissors: “Rock is way too obvious, and scissors beats paper.” Christies won.
gMPrX TIL that Spongebob Squarepants’ pet, Gary the Snail’s real name is Gerard Wilson Jr. Gary the Snail’s father happens to be a brother of Herb Star, Patrick Star’s father, making Gary the Snail and Patrick Star first cousins.
NXBWQ TIL eyewitness sketches aren't solely based on verbal descriptions. They are compiled using an "identikit", or a stock library of facial features (eyes, noses, etc.). The witness picks out the closest match for each feature which is then assembled into a more coherent image.
1anyP TIL about Martin Couney who ran a sideshow on Coney Island full of incubators to save premie babies. He is credited with saving over 6000 babies in the decades he ran the exhibit.