› added 8 months ago

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TIL ecologists once thought Beaver dam-building was an amazing feat of planning, indicative of the high intellect. This was tested when a recording of running water was played in a field near a beaver pond. Although on dry land, the beaver covered the tape player with branches and mud.

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P11DV TIL Even though George Washington defeated Cornwallis in 1781 at Yorktown, it still took almost 2 more years before the war was officially over with England.
8768 TIL that diesel fuel turns into a gel at low temperatures, and cannot flow into the engine. This is why some school close when the temperature is low enough to turn the fuel into a gel, preventing the buses from running.
awYYy TIL David Goggins, despite being an obese asthmatic with a learning disability, became the only member in the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training (including three Hell Weeks), the U.S. Army Ranger School (where he graduated as Honor Man), and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training.
p8Wb4 TIL that upon losing his leg to a cannonball during the Battle of Waterloo, Lord Uxbridge turned to the Duke of Wellington and exclaimed, "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!" The Duke of Wellington simply replied "By God, sir, so you have!"
kOyem TIL Female Jesters existed. One of the most noted was Mathurine de Vallois, who served the 1500s French Court. She wore a flamboyant Amazon Warrior outfit and was famed for her sharp wit and when she managed to capture Henri IV's would-be assassin as the man tried to flee the scene of the crime.