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TIL in spring of 1942 German U-boats terrorized east coast of US sinking fuel tankers and cargo ships with impunity and often within sight of shore and in less than 7 months destroyed 22 percent of the tanker fleet and sank 233 ships killing 5,000 ...more than 2X number who perished at Pearl Harbor.

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G49Q TIL goats have been used in California for years to clear tall dry grass and reduce fire hazards.
RaQ6 TIL that Herbert Hoover (as well as JFK) gave his presidential salary to charity.
PYQJJ TIL the Saudis have demolished almost all the ancient buildings in Mecca and Medina to make way for modern construction. This includes mosques built by Mohammad's daughter and his closest followers.
xVR4b TIL that the brand we all have come to know as "3M" stands for Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing and it was started in 1902 by a lawyer, a doctor, 2 railroad execs, and a meat market owner.
N7MYJ TIL Typhoid Mary refused to cooperate with investigators, even refusing an offer of royalties on a book about the outbreak. She was arrested in 1908, claiming ignorance about hand washing. After release she went back into work as a cook, against orders, starting another outbreak that killed 2.