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TIL about Kenneth Taylor and George Welch, the first two American pilots to get airborne during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Both were recommended for the Medal of Honor, but this was denied on the basis that they had “taken off without orders.” Together they shot down six Japanese planes.

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4kKxJ TIL actor Joel McHale, who hit on Mila Kunis' character in the movie Ted by showing her a picture of his high school diving team, actually was an athlete. Originally recruited to UW's rowing team, he became a walk on tight end on their football team the year UW went to the Rose Bowl (1993).
v14NK TIL that albatrosses can fly 16,000 km (10,000 mi) without landing
nW5bW TIL that John III, Duke of Cleves, the father of Anne, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, allegedly had 63 illegitimate half-siblings from his father, John II, who was known as “The Babymaker.”
ewLL TIL that Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly predicted the apocalypse in 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, and 1975.
EgOdP TIL By the 1700s, aristocrats started eating tomatoes, but they were convinced the fruits were poisonous because people would die after eating them. In reality, the acidity from the tomatoes brought out the lead in their pewter plates, and they actually died of lead poisoning.