› added 2 years ago

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TIL Pinky and the Brain was inspired by the peculiar personalities of two WB producers, Eddie Fitzgerald and Tom Minton with interesting mannerisms that were incorporated into the characters

VBJL4 TIL that in 2002, under Saddam Hussein's regime, Iraq reputedly held an election. Official Iraqi statistics said all 11.4 million registered voters voted to re-elect Saddam, with 0 voting for other candidates and 0 abstaining.
ZpWEG TIL about Oliver Chase, a Boston pharmacist in the 1800s who created medicinal lozenges in the shape of hearts with printed statements, now known as Sweethearts.
5YrXB TIL there's a 12-foot-tall replica of the Washington Monument hidden under a manhole on the grounds of the monument. Its purpose is that of a surveying tool that's usually just a metal rod, but because of the location this special version was installed.
DQV5j TIL about Jediism, a belief system inspired by Star Wars, which is officially recognized as a religion in some countries, including the UK, where thousands listed "Jedi" as their religion on the 2001 census. Jediism focuses on mindfulness, self-improvement, and living harmoniously with the Force.
oBlPY TIL On the Kon Tiki expedition across the Pacific, the 6 men would eat off of whatever came on board. There was a crab in a hole near the steering block that showed no fear, so they let it stay and named it Johannes. Johannes the crab kept the watchman company for the rest of the journey.