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TIL That Duck Testing -- where one determines who is a witch by weather or not they float in water -- was an actual thing, and not something Monty Python made up

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ADrOa TIL Herma are ancient greek statues featuring only a head, typically Hermes, and a phallus. In 415 BC all of the Athenian Herma were vandalized by having the penises removed.
xVeww TIL the creators of "Parks and Recreation" did research for the show by interviewing actual government officials. One said, "Well, I’m a libertarian, so I don’t really believe in the mission of my job. Yes, I’m aware of the irony." The character of Ron Swanson was born.
Ypywv TIL that the Republic of Ireland only refers to the football team, not the country. FIFA named them it because both Northern Ireland and the Republic claimed to be the official Ireland and both tried to qualify for the World Cup as Ireland fielding 4 of the same players.
8aO5X TIL: Among those on the design team for lower Manhattan's innovative 2015 merry-go-round was a stage designer who worked on some LaScala operas, the Sochi Olympics, & Broadway's "Spider Man." The SeaGlass Carousel has no center pole and the 30 giant fish that kids ride have color-changing lighting.
YbRW TIL a man avoided human contact for 27 years in the Maine wilderness. He committed more than 1000 burglaries, and faded into myth and legend. When asked if he was happy he replied “ No, I’m content. They’re two different things.”