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TIL The island of Ni‘ihau in Hawaii was privately purchased for $10,000 in 1864 and has been passed down within the family. Instead of profiting off of the resources, the owners keep the island secluded and protected. The island has a population of over 150 natives.

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KkrJ TIL anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone’s caravan of guards would travel 100 mph to avoid an assassination. The Sicilian Mafia ultimately killed him by using half a ton of explosives to blow up a highway and the explosion registered on local earthquake monitors
JYkXV TIL That falcons are closer related to parrots and songbirds than to other raptors like eagles
YmGr TIL that Harlan Ellison was once hired to write for Disney. Roy O. Disney overheard him in the lunchroom impersonating Donald, Goofy and Mickey, joking about making an animated porno with Disney characters. After lunch he found a pink slip on his desk. He had been fired on his very first day.
wLnZ7 TIL that Monty Python sued ABC over their censorship of season 4 of their show. ABC had cut punchlines and entire characters. The judge and jury watched two versions of a season 4 episode; a BBC one they laughed at, and an edited ABC one which no one laughed at. The judge ruled in ABC’s favour.
N70B1 TIL the creators of "South Park," Trey Parker and Matt Stone, co-created one of the most successful Broadway musicals, "The Book of Mormon." Their production won a Tony award for "Best Musical", a Grammy for "Best Musical Theater Album", and has grossed over $500 million dollars.