› added 9 years ago

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TIL U2 pilots were given cyanide suicide pills. After a pilot almost accidentally ingested a suicide pill instead of candy during a flight, the suicide pills were put into boxes to avoid confusion.

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XbRP TIL that Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve were good friends who attended Julliard together and that Robin paid many of Christopher’s medical bills after the equestrian accident.
NXXwb TIL that in 1893, Oregon Governor Sylvester Pennoyer was asked by the Grover Cleveland Administration to use his resources to protect Chinese Americans. Pennoyer responded to the request via a telegram which simply told the President to mind his business.
womNJ TIL 5-star hotels in Asia are required to offer free toothpaste to guests. This requirement does not apply in the US, where even some prisoners have to pay for toothpaste at the commissary.
xVaRo TIL Sherlock Holmes Villain Professor James Moriarty was based on the life and criminal career of the real Napoleon of Crime, Adam Worth
dD54Q TIL that there are large (>200 m length) tanker ships that are built and operated solely to transport orange juice.