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Tiny Facts, Huge Shockwaves: 50 Fascinating “Today I Learned” Facts To Shift Your Perspective (New Facts)
The human brain is nothing short of extraordinary. Its estimated storage capacity ranges from 10 to 100 terabytes, though some researchers believe it could reach up to 2.5 petabytes. That means we’ve got more than enough mental real estate to keep learning, storing, and sharing the most unexpected facts.
Which is exactly why you shouldn’t shy away from adding new things to the knowledge bank. The “Today I Learned” community delivers bite-sized brilliance daily, from quirky science to behind-the-scenes tidbits you won’t believe are real. This roundup is packed with the most intriguing, bizarre, and delightfully random facts the internet has to offer.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Today I learned that Danny Devito actually directed Matilda (1996) and how incredibly kind he was to the Matilda Actress Mara Wilson and even made sure that an unfunished cut was shown to her dying Mom.
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#2
TIL HBO didn't submit Alfie Allen (Theon), Carice van Houten (Melisandre), & Gwendoline Christie (Brienne) for Emmy consideration for their work in Game of Thrones' final season, so they each decided to pay the $225 entry fee to submit themselves. This resulted in all three receiving an acting nod.
#3
TIL in 1990 a truck driver jumped into a moat in an enclosure at the Detroit Zoo to save a chimpanzee from drowning when the chimp inexplicably jumped into the water. He said "Everyone in the whole place was just standing around watching this monkey drown", so he knew he had to do somethng about it.
When your brain is buzzing with random but brilliant facts, your first thought might be, “I could totally crush trivia night!” But let’s be honest, it’s not always that easy. Winning one takes more than just knowing a few fun facts. Trivia is equal parts memory, teamwork, and keeping your cool under pressure. It’s a game of brains, but also a bit of strategy.
The first step to getting good at trivia? Start expanding your knowledge in all directions. Don’t just stick to your favorite topics—branch out. Learn a little bit about everything: geography, music, sports, history, and pop culture. Every tidbit adds up.
#4
TIL the day after Robin Williams' s**cide was announced, the National S*****e Prevention Lifeline saw the highest number of calls in a single day in its history with 7,500 (twice the normal number).
#5
TIL a Catholic monk once wrote an angry letter to the cardinals during a 2 year papal election. Upon receiving it, they immediately chose to elect him; he tried fleeing his election but accepted under pressure. One of his only acts was to decree that popes could resign, and he did so 1 week later.
#6
TIL about Cher Ami, a WWI homing pigeon who was shot through the chest, blinded in one eye, and flying with a nearly severed leg—yet still delivered a message that saved 194 men, earned a Croix de Guerre, and now rests in the Smithsonian.
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
No doubt soon to be branded a DEI hire and turfed out of the museum
To dive deeper, we spoke with Raghav Chadha, who runs Dobaraa, a popular restaurant known for its lively and competitive trivia nights. Raghav has seen both first-timers and seasoned players in action and shared some pro insights. “Trivia night is not just about knowledge,” he said with a smile. “It’s about how well you prepare and how you play as a team.”
#7
TIL Stephen King never cashed the $5,000 check that Frank Darabont paid him in 1987 for the rights to adapt his novella 'Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption'. Eventually, King had the check framed and returned it to Darabont with a note that read, "In case you ever need bail money. Love, Steve."
Rhonda Espinosa 3 weeks ago
When we adopted our shelter dog my husband said to the volunteers "We're here to pay her bail money and spring her from the clink."
#8
TIL that Chief Seattle was kicked out of the city named after him because he was Native American
#9
TIL that on 8th May 1945 on "Victory in Europe Day", the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret secretly slipped out of Buckingham Palace to join London’s jubilant crowds. Queen Elizabeth later described this as “one of the most memorable nights of my life.”
“Usually, we go with a theme, like ‘90s Movies’ or ‘World History,’ so players can get a head start,” Raghav explained. “If you know the theme, it becomes easier to brush up beforehand. Even a quick YouTube recap can help.” That makes preparation feel more like fun than studying.
“But when we do broad-topic trivia, it’s a different ball game,” he said. “That’s when the real work kicks in.” His advice? Add audiobooks and podcasts to your daily routine. “Whether you’re commuting, cooking, or just winding down, it’s a great way to learn without even trying.” Passive learning adds up fast and you barely notice it happening.
#10
TIL that jaywalking is not illegal in the UK, and that while pedestrian crossings are plentiful, they are not compulsory to use. Ultimately, it is seen as the personal responsibility of the individual to make a sound enough judgement to cross safely.
#11
TIL after Post Malone found out that other patrons at the Houston bar he was in had covered his check, he asked the waitress to charge him for anything so he could leave a tip. The waitress then rang him up for a $1 bill, and in return, he tipped her $20,000, leaving a total of $20,001.
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
Thereby setting a dangerous precedent. No doubt the option "2,000,000%" (as the default) was then added to the iPad
#12
TIL that in 1997, 24.6% of US 12th graders smoked cigarettes every single day. By 2023, that number fell to 0.7%.
“Another big tip?” he added. “Use your smart friends wisely.” Raghav recommends building a team with diverse strengths. “Someone’s great at music, another’s a science nerd, put them together and you’ve got a dream team.” Trivia is a team sport, and playing with the right people makes all the difference. Plus, it’s way more fun.
#13
TIL While filming episodes of 'The Mandalorian' the production crew realized they didn't have enough Imperial Stormtrooper uniforms so they reached out to the 501st Stormtrooper Legion, a fan cosplay group, to fill out the ranks.
#14
TIL In 2003, the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (organizers of Wimbledon) began paying $2M annually for pandemic insurance, which it did for 17 years. In 2020, Wimbledon was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Club collected a $141M payout.
#15
TIL in the 1990 film “Pretty Woman”, Richard Gere’s car was a Lotus Esprit after both Ferrari and Porsche had refused to allow their cars to be used in a film associated with p**********n. As a result of the product placement, Lotus sales had tripled.
Like anything else, practice makes perfect. “Try playing at home or with friends before going to the real thing,” he suggested. Apps, online quizzes, and flashcard games can sharpen your reflexes. Even watching trivia shows helps. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at spotting clues and patterns in questions.
#16
TIL that in February 2025 a group of 8 beavers constructed a dam in the exact location that the Czech government had planned to build one. The initial project had been in the planning stage since 2018 and would have cost over $1.2 million.
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
Maybe they should replace Elon's mob with beavers then since they have a proven track record in saving taxpayer's money
#17
TIL that in 1953, Ringo Starr developed tuberculosis and was admitted to a sanatorium, where he stayed for two years. While there, the medical staff attempted to alleviate boredom by encouraging patients to participate in the hospital band, resulting in his initial encounter with a drumset.
Marlene Ricker 3 weeks ago
I thank them for getting him started! The Beatles wouldn't have been the same without him!
#18
TIL that Americans work more hours a year than the Japanese
And whatever you do, read the rules. “Every venue has different trivia formats and guidelines,” Raghav warned. “Some have penalties for wrong answers, others offer steals or bonuses.” Knowing the rules can seriously help your strategy. It also keeps things smooth on game night—no surprises, just solid gameplay.
“Play to your strengths,” he said. “If sports aren’t your thing, let someone else take the lead. Don’t waste time guessing, focus on where you shine.” A good team divides roles smartly. Confidence in your own zone helps the entire group. It’s about balance, not knowing everything.
#19
TIL in 2009 an orangutan in an Australian zoo aborted an "ingenious" escape plan. She short-circuited the electric fence around her enclosure by jamming a stick into the wires connected to it & then piled up debris to climb a wall. However she sat on the fence for 30 min before voluntarily returning
#20
TIL James Strang, leader of a Mormon splinter-group, crowned himself "king" of his church on Beaver Island, Michigan for 6 years. His "reign" was so hated by the locals that he was assassinated in 1856. His killers were kept in an unlocked jail cell and fined $1.25
#21
TIL Mary Tyler Moore insisted on wearing capri pants on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Network execs were uneasy about the fit, fearing the pants were “cupping under” and too revealing of her rear. Despite initial fears, “everyone thought it was great” and the show was a huge hit.
Finally, don’t panic under pressure. “Sometimes the timer can rattle people,” Raghav shared. “Take a deep breath, talk it out with your team, and stay calm.” Most mistakes come from rushing. Slowing down just a little can make a big difference. After all, trivia’s as much about nerves as it is about knowledge.
#22
TIL The world’s largest tomato processor, The Morning Star Company, has no bosses—employees write their own job descriptions and negotiates responsibilities and compensation with peers.
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
Sounds like some sort of anarcho-syndicalist commune, where people take it in turns to act as executive officer for the week.
#23
TIL that While filming his scenes, Anakin's actor would sometimes make lightsaber noises from his mouth, which caused Lucas to stop filming and tell him "Hayden, that looks really great, but I can see your mouth moving. You don't have to do that, we add the sound effects in afterward"
#24
TIL that Walt Disney, in 1947, gave permission to the University of Oregon to use Donald Duck's likeness as their mascot.
And the ultimate rule? “Have fun,” Raghav said. Whether you win or not, enjoy the game. Trivia night is about laughing at the ridiculous answers, bonding with your team, and learning something new. So grab a pen, grab a drink, and bring your best random facts. You might just walk away a trivia champ or at least with a great story.
#25
TIL Portugal fought a 13-year Colonial War to keep its African colonies long after the rest of Europe had given up theirs. Eventually the military got sick of dying in a pointless war, overthrew the dictatorship and installed a democracy
Victor Botha 4 weeks ago
Salazar was bad news for Portugal. Kept the country backwards and non productive compared to it's European counterparts. Took quite a bit of time to try to catch up.
#26
TIL in December 2020, GoDaddy tricked employees into thinking they had earned a bonus of $650. Employees were then told they had failed a phishing test and were required to do social engineering training. After media criticism, the company apologized to its staff, but did not offer actual bonuses.
#27
TIL in 2019 research found that women buy 62% of all new cars sold in the US, and in addition, women influence more than 85% of all car purchases.
Well, we hope these “Today I Learned” facts give you a boost for your next trivia night (or just make you sound cool at dinner). Which one made you do a double take, laugh, or immediately want to share? Let us know your favorites in the comments below, we’re all ears!
#28
TIL that Auschwitz had a brothel (Block 24) where female prisoners were forced to have s*x with selected male inmates as part of a reward system.
#29
TIL that in 2013, the first known Tinder match in Antarctica happened when two researchers—one at McMurdo Station and another camping in the Dry Valleys—swiped right on each other. They were about a 45-minute helicopter ride apart.
#30
TIL in February 1936, Pope Pius XI recieved a mesage from Hitler congratulating him on the anniversary of his coronation. Pius' response critizied Hitler's regime with such force that Germany's foreign secretary tried to suppress the response, but Pius insisted that the message be given to Hitler.
FreeTheUnicorn 4 weeks ago
He wrote a nasty latter, but even as one of the richest monarchs in the world, clung to official neutrality, and refused to take any action beyond letters.
#31
TIL after the Titanic sank, the first ship sent to recover the dead bodies ran out of embalming supplies, so they decided to preserve only the bodies of first-class passengers by the need to visually identify wealthy men to resolve any disputes over large estates.
#32
TIL that in 1912, a boy named Bobby Dunbar went missing. Eight months later, he was found with another family who claimed that he was their son, Bruce Anderson. The Andersons didn't have the money to fight in court, so they lost custody. In 2004, DNA testing confirmed that the boy wasn’t Bobby.
#33
TIL that the Burger King chain is not allowed to use the name Burger King in Mattoon, Illinois, because there is a restaurant there that already protected the name as a “state trademark” in 1959 and defended it in court against BK.
Huddo's sister 4 weeks ago
Not allowed to use it in Australia either for the same reason. It is called Hungry Jacks here.
#34
TIL James Brown's dying wish to fund scholarships for needy children was delayed for 15 years due to extensive infighting and legal battles over his ~$90 million estate, which was finally sold in 2021.
#35
TIL in 2015, 18-year-old Julian Hernandez learned he was listed in a database for missing children when he met with his h**h school guidance counselor to apply for college. This would lead to him discovering that his dad had kidnapped him from his mom when he was 5. His dad was sentenced to 4 years.
#36
TIL the White Star Line sent grieving Titanic families a bill—demanding a £20 “deposit” (≈£2,100 today) to ship their loved one’s body home, and saying that if they couldn’t pay, the company would simply bury the corpse in Halifax and mail them a photo of the grave.
Kim Kermes 4 weeks ago
They also sent bills to the families of the orchestra for their uniforms, as they were only were only contractors.
#37
TIL the actor with the most on-screen kills is Samuel L. Jackson with 1,734. Completing the Top 5 are: Milla Jovovich (1,299), Jet Li (1,076), Dolph Lundgren (940), and Arnold Schwarzenegger (842).
Rick Seiden 4 weeks ago
This must be individual kills, because Mark Hamill blew up the Death Star, killing far more than 1700 people.
#38
TIL fast food restaurants frequently use Columbus Ohio to test out new products because the demographics of the city closely resemble those of the country as a whole
#39
TIL in 2014 Anna Nicole Smith's estate failed in its final bid to obtain $44m from the estate of J. Howard Marshall whom Smith had married when he was 89 & she was 26. The oil tycoon died the next year & left his $1.6b estate to his son & nothing to Smith despite her claim he had promised her $300m.
#40
TIL that Richard Nixon’s infamous “I am not a crook” line was not made in reference to the Watergate scandal, but rather to a separate allegation that he had committed tax fraud.
#41
TIL Alfred Hitchcock was jailed at the age of 6 because his father sent him to a police station with a note attached to his clothes requesting the jailing after Alfred committed some childish misdeed.
#42
TIL that Buzz Aldrin was known among his fellow astronauts to be very difficult to work with, to the point that Neil Armstrong was offered the chance to replace Aldrin with someone else for the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Armstrong thought it over for a day before choosing to stick with Aldrin.
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
If I was Buzz I would have been worried that Neil would have taken off and left me on the moon
#43
TIL When musician Prince died, he left behind a vault containing nearly 8,000 unreleased songs but he had forgotten the combination. Measuring 6 1/2 feet tall, several feet wide, and weighing 6,000 pounds, the massive vault required a professional safecracker to break into it
Tucker Cahooter 4 weeks ago
Even if he remembered the combination he still wasn't in the position to tell you what it was
#44
TIL that, after he killed Julius Caesar, Brutus issued coins to celebrate the assassination, which featured a bust of Brutus himself on one side and two daggers on the other
kzys59pcrp 4 weeks ago
I would buy coins like this if something like this happened to a certain leader today
#45
TIL voice actor Casey Kasem known for voicing Shaggy from Scooby Doo quit the Transformers cartoon project because it depicted a Saharan kingdom named "Carbombya"
️Rando Panda 3 weeks ago
Casey Kasem's parents were from Lebanon. Naming a Saharan kingdom "Carbombya" was directly insulting, and good on him for standing his ground.
#46
TIL the world's longest-reigning current monarch is also an absolute monarch. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has been ruling Brunei for 57 years. He's also the country's Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Economy, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Janelle Collard 4 weeks ago
Now *that's* a dictator! (Don't tell Cheeto - it'll give him more ideas.)
#47
TIL that when you sign a Starlink contract, you agree "that no Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Martian activities."
#48
TIL the whistleblower of the Olympus Scandal, aka "one of the biggest and longest-running loss-hiding arrangements in Japanese corporate history", was Olympus' own CEO, Michael Christopher Woodford. He was fired after repeatedly questioning suspicious transactions and involving external auditors.
#49
TIL that at the time of Pope Sisinnius' election, he was so weakened by gout that he was unable to feed himself with his hands. His papacy lasted just 20 days, from January 15 until his death on February 4 of 708.
#50
TIL that Pope Benedict IX was the only pope to be elected more than once. He allegedly participated in wild orgies involving sodomy and bestiality and even sold the Papacy.
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Nona Jaynes 3 weeks ago
TIL that Bored Panda censors so much shît that it's barely worth it anymore. I also learned BP apparently has no idea what context actually is.
Nona Jaynes 3 weeks ago
TIL that Bored Panda censors so much shît that it's barely worth it anymore. I also learned BP apparently has no idea what context actually is.
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