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TIL Nurhachi was originally defeated by Yuan Chonghuan of the Ming Dynasty. The disintegration of the Ming Dynasty was closely linked to economic decline.

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Z8eVB TIL in 1990, Dr. Mary-Claire King discovered the human gene BRCA1 which is linked to breast cancer. Soon after, Myriad Genetics cloned and patented it. She was sent a cease-and-desist letter to stop researching it. Finally in 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that human genes cannot be patented.
xbEk TIL that the classic “striped sailor shirt” originally featured 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon’s victories.
RRV7 TIL There’s a company that makes replacement parts to modify Nerf guns.
gMW0W TIL the popular Vine "Ryan Gosling Won't Eat His Cereal" was created by Ryan McHenry. McHenry was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma cancer and passed after battling for a year. In a tribute to McHenry, actor Ryan Gosling created a Vine account and ate a bowl of cereal.
PYdLV TIL it is a criminal offence in the United Kingdom to intentionally drive through a puddle and splash someone, which carries fines of up to £5000 (about US$6500)