› added 7 months ago

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TIL a 6-year-old boy's family reportedly staged his kidnapping in order to scare him because he was "too nice" to strangers. His aunt's co-worker lured to him to his truck, told him he'd never "see his mommy again" & showed him a gun. After 4 hours, his family then lectured him about stranger danger

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J1v5Q TIL naval battles during the American Civil War happened as far away as France.
v1jA8 TIL that on January 9, 1493 Christopher Columbus sees 3 mermaids and described them as "Not half as beautiful as they are painted". They were Manatees.
JYBVV TIL The Russians tried to interfere in the 1960 presidential election on behalf of Adlai Stevenson II, offering him propaganda support to help him "succeed". He declined their offer and informed the New York Times about the incident.
Lk0vr TIL that Charlie Bucket, the main character in Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", according to Dahl's widow, was originally written as "a little black boy". Dahl's agent, who thought a black Charlie would not appeal to readers, insisted that Charlie be white.
Y7eM7 TIL Nellie Bly a female reporter attempted to recreate the famous novel "Around The World In 80 Days". Not only did she complete it with eight days to spare, she made a detour to interview Jules Verne, the original author.