› added 5 years ago

71

TIL that Thanksgiving was not actually a federal holiday in the United States until 1863, when it was declared so by Abraham Lincoln.

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WKgo TIL in 1989 the supreme court ruled that executing the “mentally retarded” was constitutional with a 5-4 vote; it wasn’t until 2002 that the ruling was overturned. (Penry v. Lynaugh)
kQoe TIL Arrested Development actor, David Cross, was arrested in 2012 for snorting cocaine in the White House.
WkPBd TIL a Belgian businessman was instrumental to the Manhattan Project's success. Realizing uranium's importance, he shipped 1,200 tons of it to Staten Island. When Lieutenant Colonel Nichols contacted him, he simply responded: "You can have the ore now. It is in New York. I was waiting for your visit"
Awmd TIL That on this day (January 16) Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus was granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.
XEwM8 TIL Crabeater seals, found around the coast of Antarctica, have arguably the most unusual tooth shape in existence. They don't eat crabs; the seals' diet is 90% Antarctic krill. Its krill-filtering teeth act like a type of sieve. As they drain seawater after a gulp, their teeth strain out the krill.