› added 5 months ago

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TIL that in the 1960s, a major conflict broke out between Brazil and France that essentially argued about whether lobsters walked or swam. At its peak, both countries sent out warships to protect their fishing zones.

M7L9A TIL about Mike Millard, a legendary concert bootlegger. He would pretend to be handicapped in order to sneak in his recording equipment on his wheelchair.
eb86 TIL Cheddar cheese is naturally lactose free; due to the natural process of making aged cheese, liquid whey separated from the milk is removed, and is why many aged cheeses contain little to no lactose (Cheddar, Asiago, Parm, Swiss, and more)
VMLdB TIL Coca-Cola syrup is delivered to McDonald's in stainless steel tanks that ensure its freshness, creating what many believe is the best Coca-Cola available. All other restaurants receive the syrup in plastic bags.
PYZOO TIL in 1795, the Spanish crown institutionalized the 'purchase of whiteness' through a decree called the 'gracias al sacar'. In the Spanish empire, wealthy mixed race people could now pay for a legal declaration that 'converted them' to white in order to conduct business freely and marry well.
K4RG TIL that Army officer Hugh Thompson prevented the deaths of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians including women and children, by a group of American soldiers. Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot, landed between the soldiers and the villagers and threatened to open fire if they continued their attacks