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TIL a jet on autopilot continued flying for over 4 hours after all on board had died due to rapid depressurization. It was carrying 11 time PGA winner Payne Stewart. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien authorized the Royal Canadian Air Force to shoot down the plane if it entered Canadian airspace.

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VMg0k TIL one of Frank Abagnale's first cons included, disguising as a security guard, hanging a sign above a bank drop box that read, "Out of service, leave deposit with security guard". Later he commented how he could not believe it worked, "How can a drop box be out of service?"
WkNBd TIL the US two dollar bill is still being produced today. It's apparent rarity is in part due to the common misconception that it is no longer being produced, causing people to collect them, thus pulling them out of circulation.
kJpX1 TIL about The Crash at Crush, a staged train collision in Texas on September 15, 1896, attracting 40,000 spectators. Intended as a publicity stunt, the event turned tragic when a boiler explosion killed three people and injured many. It remains an infamous moment in Texas history.
LJjm TIL In WW2, The Allies estimated German average monthly tank production using statistical analysis of their serial numbers. They were off by one.
GYEKJ TIL the British National Army Museum approached mountain climber Bronco Lane seeking items to commemorate his successful climb of Mt Everest. Lane presented them with 5 fingers he had lost to frostbite on the trip, stating "I haven't got any use for them any more."