› added 3 years ago

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TIL the real-life inspiration for "The Americans" was not Cold War spies, but 10 Russian deep-cover agents captured in 2010; but the show creator was unimpressed by the public's lukewarm reaction to the case, and figured the story would make for better TV if set in the Cold War.

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R7NJ6 TIL US Marines forced Saddam Hussein to watch the South Park movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut numerous times throughout his captivity.
R5xVa TIL After several previous attempts, the US finally completed the purchase of the US Virgin islands in 1917. The final push included prsssure from the sinking of the Lusitania and the US indicating they "might occupy" them to keep them out of Germany's hands.
X0oP6 TIL that, for legal reasons, in the years near 1900, New York saloons served inedible sandwiches with alcohol.
9wV5G TIL The Canadian Potato Museum on Prince Edward Island has the world's largest collection of potato related farming implements, features the World’s largest potato sculpture, and a restaurant that specializes in potato dishes
4XXrg TIL: Police officers and security guards often wear clip-on ties as a precaution against being strangled by a pulled necktie.