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TIL that in 1983, The American TV network NBC launched a sitcom about a talking oranguntang named Mr. Smith who is found to have an IQ of 256 and eventually becomes an important political advisor.

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MZgB TIL That the during the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 a man on horseback cut the ribbon with his sword, upstaging the senior politician who was supposed to cut it.
oRllY TIL Walking was a competitive sport in the 19th century.
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.
8eNL8 TIL the Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with a population of 764 people
6EjjW TIL Following the battle of Midway, an American newspaper published a headline basically revealing that Japanese naval codes had been cracked. The Japanese never noticed this blunder.