› added 5 years ago

158

TIL that James Buchanan, the 15th US president, continuously bought slaves with his own money in order to free them.

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KlZE TIL A Canadian genius that specialized in ballistics was designing a super cannon to cheaply shoot objects into orbit. Canada and the United States cancelled the joint project. While devastated that his dream would never be seen, he was approached by another financial backer: Saddam Hussein.
9w6EB TIL most insurance companies have ceased all new auto insurance policies in California.
7dAZ TIL: In 18th century England, umbrellas were strictly taboo and seen as a detestable, effeminate contraption. Cab drivers saw them as a threat to their business and grew violent towards umbrella owners.
bem0 TIL China’s #2 most-wanted man keeps offering himself up to the Chinese Government for arrest so he can see his aging parents – but they’re ignoring him
vPdL7 TIL: If you end up taking a robocaller company to court under TCPA laws, a common counter claim is a "manufactured claims" defense, because it's often necessary to bait the scammers to get the required information from them in the first place.