TIL: America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer who set forth the then revolutionary concept that the lands that Christopher Columbus sailed to in 1492 were part of a separate continent.
TIL John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" was declared by Congress as the National March of the United States in 1987, over 90 years after it was first composed
TIL of the Federal Theater Project. It was a program to employ artists during the great depression. The Federal Theatre Project was distinguished for its focus on racial injustice. At its conclusion, 65 percent of its productions were still presented free of charge.
TIL that chocolate was classified as “candy” under the Revenue Acts of 1918 and 1921, and so it was taxed as such. Hershey’s sued to recover about $8,000,000 in taxes by arguing it was “food”, and so had been wrongly taxed. The Supreme Court ruled it was “candy”.
TIL that the blind/visually impaired and those with motor issues qualify for the entire library of Congress audiobook and braille collection for free. You don't have to be completely blind qualify, you just have to have the backing of a qualified professional and demonstrate proficient need.