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TIL that the Iron Pillar of Delhi has resisted corrosion for over 1,600 years despite being made of wrought iron, largely due to a protective passive film formed by its high phosphorus content.

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O0oY TIL Pope Francis is a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, and in a 2008 sermon used the stories of Bilbo and Frodo to describe “journeys of hope” and the battle between good and evil.
kx0W TIL that during prohibition, the US government ordered poison be added to industrial alcohol to discourage consumption. People continued to drink it, so the government mandated more potent poison and it killed as many as 10,000 people.
xdNw TIL that Northern Elephant Seals were thought to be extinct until eight were discovered on Guadalupe Island in 1874 by a Smithsonian expedition. They then killed seven for their collections.
mxRnO TIL While performing a stand-up performance in June 2004, Dave Chappelle walked off the stage after berating his audience for constantly shouting "I'm Rick James, bitch!" After a few minutes, Chappelle returned and resumed by saying, "The show is ruining my life," referring to the Chappelle's Show.
QNxGk TIL that the most recent bubonic plague pandemic lasted from 1855 to 1960, killing 15 million people worldwide.