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TIL That before World War II, Thanksgiving was basically Halloween - poor people begged door-to-door, so rich people wore tattered costumes and did the same.

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E1kko TIL of "The Tornado That Saved Washington". During the British sacking of 1814 a storm rolled in that doused most of the fires in the city (including the White House) and killed British soldiers with thrown debris
Oy0e TIL Dutch women rank consistently low, compared to those in other Western countries, in terms of representation in top positions in business and government—and rank consistently near the top in terms of happiness and well-being.
LkN7p TIL of Ely S. Parker, a Native American who wrote the final draft of the Confederate Surrender. At the time of surrender, General Lee extended his hand and said, 'I am glad to see one real American here.' Parker shook his hand and said, 'We are all Americans.'
5VDEk TIL according to the customs of the Toraja people of Indonesia, the family of a dead person must sacrifice a buffalo. Families that don't already have one or too poor to afford buying a buffalo just assume their dead relatives are just "sick" until they can afford to sacrifice a buffalo.
4XM6J TIL a volcanic eruption in 1815 led to the development of Mormonism, Frankenstein, and the modern bicycle. Famines made Joseph Smith move, inspiring The Book of Mormon. Rains made Mary Shelley stay inside, inspiring Frankenstein. No feed for horses created the need for a self-propelled transport...