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TIL that 10 U.S. military bases are named after confederate generals

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rJnd TIL The Gingko Biloba species of tree is 270 million years old. It rarely suffers disease or insect attack and was one of the only living things to survive the Hiroshima nuclear bombing. The trees healed quickly and are still alive today.
6Emp8 TIL The longest family tree in the world is that of the Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius (551–479 BC), and he is the descendant of King Tang (1675–1646 BC). The tree spans more than 80 generations from him, and includes more than 2 million members.
WeNB TIL 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.
mm7y TIL that Yubitsume is the Yakuza ritual of chopping off part of one’s pinky as either punishment or an apology. Reason: Amputation of the little finger makes a proper grip on a samurai sword impossible, weakening him in battle and forcing the person to be more reliant on his boss for protection.
kJlE5 TIL the BBC programme "The Black and White Minstrel Show," with white actors performing in blackface, aired for 20 years ending in 1978. Once, in 1967, as an experiment, the network aired a version where black actors performed in whiteface.