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TIL after the prohibition in the US, about one-third of the states established government monopolies to control the sale of alcohol. These monopolies still exist in 17 states. They're generally known as ABC Stores.

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PmVJ TIL that Manhattan Project mathematician Richard Hamming was asked to check arithmetic by a fellow researcher. Richard Hamming planned to give it to a subordinate until he realized it was a set of calculations to see if the nuclear detonation would ignite the entire Earth’s atmosphere.
vPdoB TIL about Lauri Törni who fought for the Finnish Army during the Winter War and Continuation War, fought for Germany during WWII, and fought for the US during Vietnam War, where he was killed. He is the only known Waffen-SS to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
XE1pk TIL Nauru, a tiny Polynesian nation, was once among the richest nations per capita in the world. They are currently among the poorest after depleting their natural resources and blowing their wealth on a failed Broadway musical.
JM1V TIL that Arnold Schwarzenegger did not accept his California governor’s salary of $175,000 per year because of his already substantial wealth from his acting career.
MeQdb TIL in 2000 Portugal decriminalized ALL drugs. If police find someone w/a supply larger than 10 days worth of personal use they aren’t arrested but brought before a “dissuasion panel” made up of experts who evaluate the person & prescribe treatment. both HIV infections & deaths by OD have plummeted.