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TIL A temple housing a 500-ton statue of the Buddha was commissioned by Emperor Shomu in response to an epidemic which wiped out one third of the Japanese population. Casting the statue almost bankrupted the country.

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ZPkQ TIL Han Solo is the only non-Jedi/Sith in the entire original trilogy to ever use a lightsaber when he cuts open the tauntaun’s belly.
7rpVp TIL the pineapple became a sign of hospitality during America's colonial era. The exotic fruit was an expensive treat originally served to only the most-honored guest. Towns, inns and individual households began displaying images of the fruit in order to convey a sense of welcoming.
9YMar TIL that two chimpanzee communities in Gombe Stream National Park fought a war between 1974-1978, in the first recorded war between non-humans.
bVpp TIL that Sir Archy, one of the first great American race horses, retired because “there were no opponents willing to race against him.” His offspring were also so successful that they were effectively banned.
JY7y1 TIL Doggerland is the area of land connecting Great Britain to continental Europe. It was flooded by rising sea-levels (6500-6200 BC), turning Great Britain into an island.