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TIL the Soviet Union nearly launched a nuclear attack on China in 1969, only the intervention of the United States stopped them

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9db6 TIL the first US Special Forces deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11 actually rode HORSES into combat with the Taliban.
kOE54 TIL scientists observed the transition of unicellular yeast to multicellularity by repeatedly separating cells by gravity and collecting the cells settled at the bottom of the tubes. The cells eventually formed clusters and subsequent genetic mutations favored the clusters over the individual cells.
7rnX TIL Pope John Paul II entered and prayed in a mosque, and even kissed the Qur'an, in an effort to improve religious relations with Islam.
WEKN TIL that a size 8 at Banana Republic is a size 2 at The Gap.
XLOD TIL that polydactyl cats (6-toed) were historically considered “ship’s cats” because sailors prized them for their hunting abilities and believe them to be good luck.