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TIL an analysis of dozens of ancient civilizations revealed that they only had an average lifespan of 340 years before reverting to a more primitive state, being absorbed into a stronger society, or disappearing completely.

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78W77 TIL Brazilian footballer Rivaldo grew up in poverty and suffered such malnourishment it caused caused bowleggedness and the loss of several adult teeth, and coaches saying he was too physically weak to succeed . Despite this he went onto win the World Cup, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.
9Y5b7 TIL that Benjamin Franklin used chess as a means of learning Italian. He would play games with a friend who was also studying the language. The winner of their match assigned a task to the loser; such as making them learn some Italian grammar, which had to be performed before their next match.
bMr7 TIL blanket octopi have evolved an immunity to the poison of the man o’ war and rips off its tentacles to use as whips
7rJgZ TIL Paul McCartney managed to make an appearance on Pink Floyds' album Dark Side of the Moon. At the end of track “Eclipse”, a passage from an orchestral version of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” can be heard; the song was playing in the background at the Abbey Road studio during this recording!
ne0p9 TIL about the Maxi Trial. Held in Italy between 1986 and 1992, it convicted 338 mafiosi including 19 bosses, the latter of whom all got life sentences. It was the largest trial of all time. The two (Italian equivalent of) lead prosecutors and several judges were murdered afterwards.