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TIL that the man who created the modern American flag did so for a high school project. He received a B- for it.

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rR6My TIL that the cannibalized remains of a 14-year-old girl were discovered in a 17th century trash deposit inside fort James. This proves that early colonists resorted to cannibalism to survive during 1609-1610. This was after eating their horses and pets. Only 60 colonists survived.
EkRp TIL NYC homeowners can request that a tree be planted outside their homes for free.
VB1g8 TIL that the term malaria originates from Mediaeval Italian: mala aria—"bad air". For a long time the disease was associated with the abandoned miasma theory, which stated that diseases such as cholera and the Black Death are caused by inhaling bad air.
lQN7 TIL An Australian scientist discovered that adding cigarette butts to brick clay halves the energy needed to make the brick.
N7751 TIL that GE chose to put the Fukushima reactor closer to the sea, knew of inherent design flaws for decades, and may be liable for damages in court.