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TIL during the Siege of Leningrad in WWII, 9 Soviet scientists died of starvation while protecting the world’s largest seed bank, refusing to eat what they saw as their country’s future.

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eN8k TIL Splenda’s sweet taste was discovered when a scientist who was told “test this chemical” misheard it as “taste this chemical”.
vP4wx TIL Savitri Devi was invited by fellow Nazi Francoise Dior to stay at her chateau in 1970 as part of their post war networking. The visit turned unpleasant and she had to leave because of Devi's annoying habits: she was constantly chewing on garlic and didn't take a shower during her 9 month visit
4WKg TIL A 66-year-old hiker, who became lost on the Appalachian Trail, kept a journal documenting her 26-day ordeal before succumbing to lack of food and exposure. In one entry, she pleaded “When you find my body, please call my husband and daughter.”
DKNV TIL in 1849 New York, a man would walk up to strangers and begin a conversation. Gaining their trust, he would ask “Have you the confidence to trust me with your watch until tomorrow?” He would never return. When finally caught, he was labeled a “confidence man”, later shortened to simply “con man”.
BrJrL TIL MMA fighter Ronda Rousey is of English, Polish, Trinidadian & Venezuelan descent. Her Trinidadian great-grandfather was one of the first black doctors in Canada & her English-American mother holds a PhD & won the World Judo Championship in 1984.