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TIL: Archaeologist Alexander Peev was executed by firing squad in 1943 on suspicion of sending a coded message to the Soviet Union. It was actually an ancient inscription he wanted Russian archaeologists to help him interpret. The text remains undeciphered.

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vPBAr TIL that Saint Nicholas’ reputation as a secret gift-giver originates from him discreetly funding three poor girls’ dowries so that they wouldn’t be forced into prostitution.
XEA4k TIL that the Ancient Greeks invented the spiked dog collar to protect their canine buddies from wolf attacks
e019b TIL an outlaw isn't just someone who breaks the law, but is a punishment given to someone where the law no longer protects you. If someone wants to rob, beat, or kill you, they absolutely can with no repercussions from the law as an outlaw is now someone "outside of the law."
a8VMo TIL that IKEA once ran an ad that doubled as a pregnancy test
4XY0g TIL for much of the 1800s in the UK, Sunday and Monday were the unofficial weekend, with Sunday for Church and Monday being adopted by workers as an unofficial holiday, mockingly called "St. Monday" (like a religious holiday). By the late 1800s, Monday became a workday, and Saturday a half workday.