› added 4 years ago

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TIL That the first life on earth was not bacteria or eukaryotes but something called LUCA that came around 4 billion years ago. It was the ultimate ancestor of every gene of every bit of life on earth.

Read more astrobiology.nasa.gov

via reddit.com

0pLA TIL there is a biker group called Patriot Guard Riders who attend funerals for fallen soldiers, protecting the families against anti-gay protesters
gNG4 TIL actress Ann B. Davis, aka “Alice”, the housekeeper on The Brady Bunch, never married, lived her final years as a nun, and was never romantically linked with anyone. Ever.
ngZr TIL that the train from Chicago to New Orleans was in 1947 three hours faster than it is today. It took 16 hours and averaged about 60 mph/100 kmh, and peaked at 100 mph/160 kmh.
M4aA TIL that on 4/16/2007 Prof. Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust Survivor, held the door of his classroom closed whilst the Virginia Tech Shooter attempted egress, shooting Liviu five times through the door. Liviu enabled all but 1 of his 23 students to escape and survive. Liviu did not.
9wA6r TIL toilet paper wasn’t “splinter free” until the 1930’s