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TIL that winning important international football games reduces civil conflict in Africa. When national teams win high-stakes matches, people are less likely to identify with their ethnic group over the nation. Teams qualifying for AFCON experience significantly less conflict in the following months

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v1NW8 TIL the Turkish Straits crisis was an opening salvo of the Cold War, as the Soviet Union tried to take over two key channels in order to control Black Sea naval traffic. Stalin threatened to invade Turkey from the Balkans, prompting the Truman Doctrine of capitalist aid that put the country in NATO
0wNV1 TIL in 2000 Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs. If police find someone w/a supply larger than 10 days worth of personal use they aren’t arrested but brought before a “dissuasion panel” made up of experts who evaluate the person & prescribe treatment. both HIV infections & deaths by OD have plummeted.
neE0b TIL Tom Dickson, the "Will it Blend?" guy, had his blender jar design ripped off by Vita-Mix. He took them to Federal court, won, and was eventually awarded $24M
rNWNd TIL Vinyl records outsell CDs for first time in 35 years
YQxA TIL: Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels on the White House roof. When Ronald Reagan took office, one of his first actions was to have the panels, which his chief-of-staff allegedly said Reagan felt were “just a joke,” removed.