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The first modern crematory was built in the U.S. in 1876. A second came eight years later. By 1900, there were 20. The practice got another boost in 1963 when the Catholic Church reversed its opinion on cremation during the Vatican II reforms and said cremation was permitted (though ash scattering was not).

Four decades ago, less than 5 percent of American were cremated when they died. Now that figure stands at nearly half.

GKrG TIL Clint Eastwood is a lifelong jazz enthusiast, pianist, and scored several films, including Million Dollar Baby
9447 TIL people built entire houses just to piss their neighbours off.
GYeNg TIL Frank Epperson invented ice popsicles by accident when she was just 11 years old. It happened when left soda powder and water outside overnight. Two billion popsicles are now sold every year around the world.
M71nK TIL Searing meat can create a tasty crust, but it does not seal or lock in the meat's juices.
NXrlQ TIL about The returning soldier effect. It is a phenomenon which suggests that more boys are born during and immediately after wars.