› added 7 years ago

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TIL the founder of the Smithsonian, James Smithson, was a British scientist who willed his fortune to his nephew and in the event his nephew died with no heirs, to the US government to found an "Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men"; having never visited the US.

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MeB4W TIL that chipmunks are generally solitary except for mating purposes and the typical population density is 6-10 chipmunks per acre.
9wvpG TIL The Total Solar Eclipse of December 2021 was visible only in Antarctica. It was experienced by a small number of scientists, experts and adventure tourists—who paid $40,000 for the privilege
vx64 TIL The US Pledge Of Allegiance originally had a distinctive “salute” to use called the Bellamy salute. It was discontinued during WWII as it looked exactly like a Nazi salute.
b9oJj Recently, while looking at the vibrant lights of Hong Kong through a bus window, I noticed for the eleven-millionth time those little dots and that black band running along the edge of the glass. “What are these?” I wondered. So when I got home, I called up a major automotive glass manufacturer to find out.
v1QlL TIL that from 1977-2011, the national flag of Libya was literally a green rectangle