› added 5 months ago

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TIL Zhu Yuanzhang (1328) - orphaned peasant who begged as a Buddhist monk, rose from illiterate rebel soldier to founder of Ming Dynasty in 15 years. His empire grew to 160-200M people (30-35% of world population) with 25-30% of global GDP - rivaling Rome's peak.

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xV7D1 TIL that lodestones (natural magnetic stones) are very probably made when a lightning strikes ferrite stones ; a scientist proved it by sending a small rocket containing this type of stone into a storm cloud and the stone returned magnetic
BgGlW TIL about Genie, a child of an abusive father who kept her strapped to a chair for the first 13 years of her life, regularly beating her and communicating to her only in inhuman growls. When she was finally rescued, the only two phrases she knew how to say were, "Stop it" and "No more."
X5xR TIL Dale Earnhardt Jr. built a fully staffed, fully themed western town in his backyard just to throw parties in.
nM4b TIL while the Roman senate was debating about possible conspirators of an attempted coup, Julius Cesar received a note. Cato, who opposed to Julius Cesar accused him of corresponding with the conspirators and demanded the letter to be read aloud. The note was a love letter from Cato’s sister.
NXa8b TIL tortoises can feel their shells. Their shells are not just a hard outer covering; they are living structures with nerve endings that connect to their central nervous system. The shell is a living part of their body.