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TIL that Rick Gibson, a Canadian artist, displayed earrings made out of a pair of freeze-dried human fetuses at an exhibition in London. The sculpture was seized by police and the incident resulted in his expulsion from Goldsmith’s College in 1987.

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1aYND TIL The US Government passed the Stolen Valor Act in 2005. The Act made it illegal to wear or falsely claim to have received any military medal or decoration without authorization, including the Medal of Honor. However, the Act was later ruled unconstitutional by the Ninth Circuit Court.
5YBrr TIL that in 1876, James Garfield, future 20th President of the United States, developed a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem that was published in New-England Journal of Education.
p8ym4 TIL that starting in June 1965, Angus Barbieri fasted for 382 days. He lived on tea, coffee, soda water and vitamins, living at home Scotland, and frequently visiting a hospital for medical evaluation. He lost 276 pounds (125 kg), reached his 180 pound goal weight, and started eating again.
AVx TIL a boy was conscripted into the Khmer Rouge at age 10 and layed thousands of landmines, but as an adult started clearing them with a stick and a Leatherman. His collection of defused bombs became the Cambodia Landmine Museum, which is also an orphanage for victims.
ng8G TIL Gambling for cash is illegal in Japan. Instead, balls won from games are exchanged for prizes or tokens. These items are then exchanged for cash at a place nominally separate from the parlor.