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TIL that when KAL007 was shot down, it was one of the most important single events that prompted the Reagan Administration to allow worldwide access to the United States military’s GNSS system, which was classified at the time. Today this system is widely known as GPS

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yVdxl TIL That there is a small island in the South Pacific, where villagers worship a mythical American WW2 veteran named John Frum, believing that he will bring them material wealth one day.
woXbW TIL The Nazi rewards program, "Strength Through Joy", gave workers a shot at prizes like theatre trips, picnics, and cheap travel! It began after Hitler abolished unions, upped the max workweek to 72 hours, and outlawed going on strike, wage bargaining, or leaving work without permission.
Z8vGp TIL that 1984 by George Orwell was banned in the USSR for being Anti-Communist, but also banned in the USA for being Pro-Communist.
v1jLK TIL that the name Vanessa was invented by Jonathan Swift for Esther Vanhomrigh who was a longtime lover of his. The name was created by taking "Van" from Vanhomrigh and adding "Essa", a pet form of Esther.
daGj TIL that the Pacific island of Yap used to use a currency of giant stones. Since they were often too big to move, they were often left in the center of town, ownership was simply transferred by oral agreement.