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TIL, in 1998 it took several days to bring down a rogue 25-story tall Canadian weather balloon even after two F-16s fired more than 1,000 rounds of cannon shells into it. The balloon had severe impact on trans-Atlantic air traffic as airliners were forced to divert from their projected flight paths

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6E1n8 TIL that in 1567, a cook was caught stealing silverware from his employer and was sentenced to be hanged. In lieu of this, he agreed to be poisoned to test the effects of bezoars (stones that were thought to cure poisons) and go free if he survived. He died in agony 7 hours after being poisoned.
GAQnj TIL of the great Battle of Mrs. McCormack’s Cabbage Patch, a sassy name for a fight in which Irish rebels attempt to rescue McCormack hostages from police who are using them as human shields.
0wDDv TIL Raul Julia or 'Gomez' from Addams Family (1991) was visibly ill with stomach cancer on set of the sequel. He died less than a year later.
5Qyn TIL John Belushi disappeared off the set of ‘Blues Brothers’ (1980) one night. On a hunch, Dan Aykroyd went to the nearest house with lights on; “Belushi? He came in here an hour ago and raided my fridge. He’s asleep on my couch.” The confused homeowner informed him.
NY58 TIL that in 1893 geologist and explorer Major John Wesley Powell told the Los Angeles International Irrigation Congress, “Gentlemen, you are piling up a heritage of conflict and litigation over water rights, for there is not sufficient water to supply the land.” He was booed out of the hall.