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998

TIL performance artist Tehching Hsieh spent an entire year punching a time clock every hour on the hour, then photographing himself immediately after. He shaved his head before starting, so his hair growth would reflect the passage of time.

Y7Klx TIL that to decide who would rule the Persian Empire (44% of world population), six nobles decided on a test. They were to gather outside the palace, mounted on their horses at sunrise, and the man whose horse neighed first in recognition of the rising sun would become King of Kings.
E17wx TIL that the ISS or the International Space Station at an average altitude of 400 kilometers/248 miles above Earth and circle the globe every 90 minutes at a speed of about 17,500 mph or 28,000 km/h.
oRjmo TIL that until 1827, Bachelors of Arts (BAs) students at Oxford University who sought to become Masters of Arts had to swear an oath never to be reconciled with Henry Symeonis. This practice lasted for 550 years, during which Henry’s identity remained unknown until his rediscovery in 1912.
Vp9m TIL that since many female insects mate just once in their lives, insect populations can be controlled by releasing swarms of sterile males into the wild; the females mate with them, never have babies, and die. The method has eradicated populations of dangerous insects in several regions.
XEpaP TIL The King of Siam used to gift albino elephants to courtiers who displeased him, in order to ruin them with the upkeep costs — this is the supposed inspiration for the White Elephant Gift Exchange.