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TIL that Simon & Garfunkel’s first album was so unsuccessful that the duo split. Their producer took one of the songs from the album, overdubbed and remixed it without their knowledge or permission, and after this version of “The Sounds of Silence” became a hit, they reunited for four more albums.

8Y9G TIL Hitler sanctioned the construction of a six-wheeled 3,000hp Porsche intended to break the land speed record. It was 27ft long and made its power from a 44.5 liter V12
9JZ6 TIL that on Saint Patrick’s Day began as a “feast day” in honor of the anniversary of the day he died. To honor him, Christians could put aside their Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol consumption on this day, which is why excessive drinking has become so permanently linked to the celebration.
VnK8 TIL the only coup in the history of the United States took place in North Carolina in 1898. The plotters kidnapped the mayor of Wilmington and installed their own mayor.
nel7P TIL that when the German army broke through French lines in 1918, a small battalion of US marines disregarded general orders to retreat and dug shallow holes with their bayonets. The German advance was stopped after six days of fierce fighting, and the marines had been given a new name-- Devil Dogs.
kVlm TIL Irish slaves used to be shipped to America where they would be forced to breed with black slaves in order to produce “mulatto” slaves that were worth more than the cheap white Irish slaves.