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TIL that Ivory Coast built a church copied from the St. Peter's Basilica to surpass it as the highest church in the world. Upon completion the pope only agreed to consecrate it, if the overall height was lower than the Vatican Basilica and if there would be built a hospital next to it.

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NQk1 TIL: Yasuke, a 16th century African who traveled to Japan as a slave, caused such a sensation that a powerful warlord wished to see him. He thought his black skin was paint and ordered it to be scrubbed. However, they became friends and Yasuke was later given the prestigious rank of Samurai.
WpbL TIL, That a Mexican man who accidentally killed his cousin while drunk was sentenced to death by being buried with alive with the cousin whom he had killed.
Bglrx TIL on 28 February 1998, one day after recording the final episode of Father Ted, the show’s lead actor Dermot Morgan suffered a fatal heart attack while hosting a dinner party at his London home.
6EkrJ TIL that platypus milk contains a milk protein that is has not been identified in any other animal . The protein was named 'Shirley Temple' in tribute to the former child-actor’s distinctive curly hair. It also has unique antibacterial properties and is undergoing research for fighting superbugs.
yVQrl TIL that in 1879 Alabama dissolved the debt-ridden city of Mobile and simultaneously incorporated the 'Port of Mobile', with most of Mobile's land and population but none of its debt. The Supreme Court ruled in 1886 that the new city was the successor to the old and still owned the debts.