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TIL Lyndon B Johnson worked 18-20 hour days without breaks, smoked heavily, and used his knowledge of every senator's ambitions, hopes, and tastes to his advantage in securing votes. As a congressman, he was the most powerful majority leader in American history.

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m1NgO TIL Joni Mitchell's song 'Carey' from her album 'Blue', and referenced in her song 'California' was a real person named Cary Raditz. For 50 years he avoided it. But in 2021 he finally opened up about it. Yes, there was a Mermaid Tavern, yes he took her camera, and yes he was a 'Mean Old Daddy'.
yXle TIL in 1945 a group of Soviet school children presented a US Ambassador with a carved US Seal as a gesture of friendship. It hung in his office for 7 years before discovering it contained a listening device.
yQlep TIL that 80 years ago in this day Georg Esler tried to kill Hitler with a time bomb. For climate reasons Hitler left the building early than expected and the bomb exploded only 13 minutes after his departure. Everything could have been different.
6EQaY TIL the Earth has had six major Ice Ages over the last 3 billion years. We are currently in an Ice Age which began 34 million years ago.
e0y5J TIL about Skarping, an extreme fishing sport where competitors waterski through Asian-carp-infested rivers armed with tridents, swords, and basketball hoops