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TIL Sir Ridley Scott was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his contributions to British cinema and, in 2024, was appointed a Knight Grand Cross by King Charles III, the highest rank of knighthood.

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165pD TIL A Canadian judge canceled a marriage annulment after discovering that the wife who testified during court proceedings had been an imposter.
Xde6 TIL that in 1915, scam artist Charles Hatfield convinced the town of San Diego that he could create rainfall using a secret mix of chemicals. The city offered to pay him $10,000 if he could end their drought, and the ‘result,’ a few days later, was the town’s worst flood of the 20th century.
nWJVb TIL that during WWII, the British government implemented Operation Pied Piper, evacuating over 3 million children from cities to rural areas to protect them from bombings. These "evacuees" were sent away from their families, impacting communities but ensuring their safety.
Bryor TIL that despite discovering the cure for scurvy as early as 1497 by Vasco de Gama's crew, it was repeatedly forgotten, discredited, 'rediscovered' and messed around for hundreds of years despite scientific research. It continued killing people till Vitamin C was finally isolated in 1932
R7L7Q TIL Moctezuma II, emperor of the Aztecs, while dining, took no other beverage than chocolate, served in a golden goblet. Flavored with vanilla or other spices, his chocolate was whipped into a froth that dissolved in the mouth. Reportedly, he consumed no fewer than 60 portions each day .