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TIL That the CIA was in contact with generals planning to assassinate the South Vietnam president on Nov. 2, 1963. Kennedy “rushed from the room with a look of shock and dismay on his face.” He had not approved Diệm’s murder. Kennedy was assassinated 20 days later.

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OoPk6 TIL the Salem witch trials were started by a group of girls age 9-20 who were told tales by a slave. The main perpetrator Elizabeth Hubbard was known for being manipulative, throwing temper tantrums, and having a wild imagination. Hubbard accused 40 people and 15 died as a result.
J45j TIL the word “dude” was 19th century slang for a dandy and was likely shortened from “doodle” as in Yankee Doodle Dandy.
nBBd TIL that Adam Savage, host of Mythbusters, wanted to disprove creationism on an episode of Mythbusters, saying, “I’m sick of fifty percent of this country thinking creationism is reasonable. It’s appalling.”
a8k99 TIL Charles Barkley has many nicknames including: The Round Mound of Rebound, The Chuckster, The Chuck Wagon, The Prince of Pizza, The Incredible Bulk, The Leaning Tower of Pizza, Bread Truck, Boy Gorge, Love Boat, Food World, The Crisco Kid, Wide Load from Leeds, Ton of Fun and Goodtime Blimp.
GADKj TIL in 1951, Dr. W Grey Walter built a "tortoise" robot that can detect and move around obstacles and "see" by going towards or away from bright light, and return to its charging station when the battery charge is low.