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TIL: The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931).

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jpxj TIL that scientists kept a species of fruit fly in complete darkness for 57 years (1400 generations), showing genetic alterations that occur as a result of environmental conditions.
xXWg TIL that Thomas de Mahy last words before being guillotined were, ‘I see that you have made three spelling mistakes.’
bjp4 TIL Sharon Osbourne sold all of Ozzy Osbournes cars when she found out he was drinking and driving
dBNE TIL the original “Airplane!” script had the jive dudes speaking lines like “Mo fo, shi’ man, wha’ fo”. Actors Al White and Norman Gibbs carefully created their own language by researching books on African-American dialects and early jazz culture.
xV6no TIL the Statue of Liberty's torch has been closed to the public since July 30, 1916 when it sustained structural damage from the Black Tom explosion - an act of German sabotage targeting a US munitions depot during WWI