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TIL Chinese films used to use Chinese actors in “whiteface,” using wigs and nose prosthetics to play Caucasians

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4X18a TIL that in 1860, Mississippi was by far the richest state in the union. So much wealth was being produced in the state from cotton that there were more millionaires per capita in Mississippi than in any other state in the US.
0kQL TIL that the formation of American English (an American accent) is a result of European colonists attempting to communicate with Native Americans.
R7nL1 TIL that people that buy bottled water are spending between 240 and 10,000 times the cost of the water, depending on the brand of the bottle.
DMyV TIL that college students in Cleveland are living rent free in a retirement home. This unique living arrangement has benefits for both parties. Studies show that contact with younger people helps beat dementia, while the students save on housing costs.
8eQg8 TIL that in 2008, the city of Chicago sold the rights to collect revenue from its parking meters to a foreign-owned company, receiving a sum of $1.2 billion against a 75 year lease. Investors have collected $2.1 billion so far, for a yearly RoR of only 4.3%. Chicago has made a handsome profit.