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TIL that romance novels are the most popular literature genre. By 1991 46% of all US mass-market paperbacks were romance. Half of romance publisher Harlequin's customers purchased 30 novels a month. 25% of all Americans read a romance novel in 2008.

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dan7 TIL from 1575 to 1578, expeditions from England to Canada brought back thousands of tonnes of black rock at huge expense of money and lives, after a Venetian alchemist lied about it containing gold ore. After discovering the true worth, it was used to build a wall around one of Henry VIII’s homes.
R5gEw TIL A dentist invented cotton candy
VG9Z TIL that in March 2007, Switzerland accidentally invaded Liechtenstein with a 170-person infantry unit. Liechtenstein had abolished its military in 1868.
m1JpY TIL that Beck rejected Weird Al's request to parody his hit 1990s song "Loser" because Beck felt he already wasn't being taken seriously as artist. Later though, Beck regretted this decision saying “I think it would have been an amazing video. I’m actually really sad it didn’t happen.”
oBDgW TIL that Danny Elfman composed and performed The Little Things, soundtrack for film Wanted, in English AND Russian himself