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54

TIL that the island of Great Britain was formed by the collision of the Laurentia Craton and the Microcontinent Avalonia, known as the Caledonian Orogeny, the border of which is coincidentally similar to the borders of present day England and Scotland.

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JYVYv TIL the word cheesecake has sexual connotations and was used in the 1660s to describe promiscuous women
P1WrG TIL in the 50s Disneyland offered fishing on Tom Sawyer Island in an area called Catfish Cove. Guests could borrow a pole and a can of worms to try and catch fish. They offered to clean, ice and store them until close at a restaurant. It was promptly ended after fish were discarded all over the park
J1n88 TIL that octopuses have been caught throwing things at each other in aquariums. Apparently, they're not just escape artists and clever problem solvers, they're also petty little grudge holders who chuck rocks at their annoying tank mates.
1aylP TIL that Pope Gregory XIV made gambling on papal elections punishable by excommunication.
B8JW TIL that when he was wounded, Thomas Baker ordered his squad to leave him propped against a tree, with a pistol and eight bullets. Later, American forces found the now-deceased Baker in the same spot, holding an empty pistol, with eight dead Japanese soldiers lying around him.