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TIL of Nazi official Herbert Backe, who masterminded the WWII program to starve Eastern Europe. After the Allied victory he flew to Eisenhower's headquarters, perceiving himself as a leading expert on solving hunger problems and expecting a discussion with the general. He was imprisoned.

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Y7L4Z TIL that in the battle of Changping between the state of Qin and Zhao during China's warring states period. After emerging victorious from the battle, Qin's commander - Bai Qi ordered his soldiers to massacre almost all of the Zhao's prisoners of war - some 400.000 of them.
bVmN TIL of UVB-76, a mysterious Russian radio signal that has been transmitting continuously since 1982. Nobody knows who makes the signal, only that it is located near Moscow, makes a buzzing sound 25 times a minute, and every few years will broadcast a string of random names and numbers.
N7N78 TIL that after being told a jet powered car can run on anything that burns, the President of Mexico rode it running on tequila.
BrWOe TIL Abram Gannibal was a black African-born Russian nobleman in the 18th century. Sold into slavery, he was eventually freed by Peter the Great and adopted into the Emperor's household as his godson. His great-great grandson is the celebrated author and poet Alexander Pushkin.
W75p4 TIL In Milan the Madonnina (golden statue of the Virgin Mary that sits on top of the cathedral) must be the tallest point of the city. So now whenever they build a taller building they put a copy of the statue on top.