› added 5 years ago

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TIL, “Meatless Monday” was originated by the FDA in WWI to help support the war effort, by limiting the need to ration by the military, and feed the people of Europe.

nepp7 TIL of Joy Milne, a “super-smeller” who found she could smell a unique odor on people with Parkinson's disease years before the onset of symptoms. Scientists then isolated biomarkers in sebum (oily substance from face/back) of Parkinson’s patients, paving the way to earlier detection/treatment.
NXV4P TIL that Rome has a centuries-old tradition of "talking statues" that provide an outlet for people to write anonymous satire and criticism of figures of power. After authorities tried to prevent people from leaving messages at the original statue, the number of talking statues increased.
VBGKp TIL A notorious grouch who detested the growing influence of the greeks in roman culture and society, Cato the Elder also believed all greek doctors to be part of a grand conspiracy to eradicate all romans through defective medicine and deliberate malpractice
QJaDa TIL about the Bronze Age collapse, in which the Sea People invaded the Mediterranean. In 50 years the Mycenaeans, Kassites, and Hittites collapsed, while Egypt was crippled economically. Trade routes were disrupted, literacy was severely reduced andcities were destroyed or abandoned permanently.
e5xE TIL in 2008, Nebraska implemented a law to allow parents to drop off unwanted newborns at safe havens; the law didn’t state an age limit, and nearly all the children abandoned were over ten years old- some were even 17!