› added 9 years ago

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TIL actor Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned Ryerson) was held hostage at a Dallas Safeway when he was 25. A stranger stopped him and said “I see you have mangos, the most exotic of fruit” before putting a .45 to his head. Tobolowsky then gave the man his actual address and invited him over for dinner.

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LkVXV TIL a group of off-duty Army Rangers got into a 30-minute firefight with a group of suspected crack-dealing members of the Hilltop Crips gang
grZPL TIL it is unlikely that Jack the Ripper targeted prostitutes. There is no evidence to suggest most of his victims were sex workers. Some evidence indicates they were asleep when they were approached (no sounds or signs of a struggle, all found in a reclined position).
J1vEv TIL there were over 20 assassination plots/attempts on Adolf Hitler. The "July 20th" plot was the closest at being successful, but only injuring Hitler. In retribution Hitler executed around 4900 people, only 200 of which were involved in the plot.
6nAm TIL the British Navy uses Britney Spears’ music to scare off Somali pirates
DQEaY TIL that when England held its first lottery in 1567 everyone who bought a ticket got immunity from one arrest as long as it was not piracy, murder, felonies, or treason. Prizes for winning the lottery were £5,000 in cash, but also goods like plate, tapestries and “good linen cloth.”