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TIL Leo Tolstoy wrote a book in 1908 called “Letter to a Hindu” in which he argued that the only way for India to gain independence from Britain was through non-violent resistance. Gandhi read this book and others by Tolstoy. They struck up a correspondence and the course of history was changed.

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kOJ4g TIL that Keurig K-Cups generate 10 times the solid waste that would be generated from a standard drip brewer and most of that waste isn't recyclable. Co-founder John Sylvan said, "I feel bad sometimes that I ever did it.”
JYMA1 TIL John Lennon remarked that McCartney's only contribution to the Beatles was creating "silly love songs". McCartney responded by writing a song called "Silly Love Songs" which went on to become a #1 hit single.
Z8XAB TIL that when William Langer, Governor of North Dakota, was convicted of a felony and ordered to be removed from office, he chose instead to declare North Dakota independent, declare martial law, and barricade himself within the Governor's mansion. Two years later, he was re-elected.
VQ9Z TIL “Smith” is a common last name because those of the occupation were needed to build weapons/armor for war and could not serve, so they lived through wars.
6EZ8J TIL the term 'nepotism' comes from the Latin 'cardinalis nepos,' or 'Cardinal-Nephew,' a role in the Catholic Church of a Cardinal elevated by the Pope, who was usually related. The role existed from c. 1015 to 1692, when it was banned by Papal decree.