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44

TIL sharks existed before trees

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dD747 TIL: North Korea is home to an Orthodox Church despite being an anti-christian state
mmRY TIL The US Government produced $2.10 pistol called the FP-45 Liberator in 1942 ($30 in 2013) to be used by resistance fighters during WWII in Europe. 500,000 were produced and are considered very collectible today.
gMZlA TIL There's a lesser form of mania called hypomania, a short period characterized by a decreased need for sleep, increase in energy, increased talkativness and confidence, and a possible increase in creative ideas.
78D97 TIL While the details of the invention of French Fries is disputed, their name originates during WWI. Belgian soldiers, who would speak French, often offered fries to American soldiers, who then referred to them as “French.”
e0m75 TIL The HMS Queen had a pet tortoise (Timothy) on board as a mascot during the Crimean War. Timothy would lead a prolific naval career living on other British ships. She died in 2004 aged aprox 160 years, making her the last living veteran of the Crimean War.