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TIL That Eratosthenes an Ancient Greek Polymath in the 3rd Century BC was able to predict the circumference of the Earth with almost perfect accuracy by using two sticks and two shadows

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XN6R TIL Babylonians believed that an eclipse foretold the death of their ruler, leading them to use these predictions to put kingly protections in place. During the period of time that lunar or solar eclipses might strike, the king would be replaced with a substitute.
jQbR TIL The “honeycomb” made by bees is composed of tessellating hexagons because this is the most efficient way to use the least wax to cover the most area with small cells.
erED TIL Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) published his bank and acct # in his newspaper column, claiming “worst-case scenario, someone would be able to pay money into my account.” Within a few days, someone set up a direct debit for £500 in favor of a charity, which didn’t require any identification.
e0R9J TIL That Alligators survive in freezing temperatures but sticking the tip of their mouths above water to breathe and entering a state called Brumation. They can survive like this for several months until the temperature finally warms up.
gArX TIL that in 1861, Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of Italy’s independence, volunteered his services to President Abraham Lincoln and was offered a Major General’s commission in the U.S. Army. His sole condition: that the war’s objective be declared as the abolition of slavery.