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TIL Abraham Lincoln signed into a law that began the IRS and was the USA’s first income tax. It was done to help pay for civil war expenses

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via reddit.com

6Pr8 TIL that Jim Carrey was chosen to play Captain Jack Sparrow, but turned it down to be in Bruce Almighty
ADKPg TIL After purchasing McDonald's, Ray Kroc had strict policies for all of his franchises, including only establishing new locations in suburban areas and never in downtowns, since poor people might eat in them after the main business hours were over.
xObo TIL If a weather forecast gives a 50% chance of precipitation that could mean there is a 100% chance of rain in 50% of the forecast area. The ‘probability of precipitation’ number frequently used in weather forecasts is widely misunderstood by the public.
WWpY TIL that in a 1000 person test IBM’s Watson found treatment options in 30% of cancer patients that doctors had missed. Part of Watson’s insight comes from his ability to read all research papers that are published each year, a feat no single person could possibly do.
4XJva TIL the iconic picture of Earth coined, 'The Blue Marble", was the first picture that viewed the entire planet as a whole and was only possible due to the sun being behind the Apollo 17 crew. Originally, the image was South up with Antarctica on top, but NASA flipped it to be more recognizable.