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TIL from 1777 to 1870, Vermont had a fourth branch of government called the Council of Censors. It consisted of 13 members, elected every 7 years, who had to check if "the legislative and executive branches have performed their duty as guardians of the people." They could also amend the constitution

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0wL0v TIL Cliff Edwards/Ukulele Ike, known for popularising the song Singin' in the Rain and voicing Jiminy Cricket, died penniless following three divorces and struggles with gambling and drinking. His unclaimed body went to the UCLA medical school until it was bought by Disney and given a proper burial.
Y77k7 TIL Nike Executive & friend of Michael Jordan Larry Miller (age 72), murdered a teenager at the age of 16.
4XD0X TIL out of the 270 Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters launched, all but four were recovered. Over 5,000 parts were refurbished for reuse after each flight, and the final set of SRBs that launched STS-135 (2011) included parts that flew on 59 previous missions, including STS-1 (1981).
k0g1 TIL that in 2005, the DEA reported seizing $477 million worth of drugs, whereas the estimated value of drugs sold within and into the US is $64 billion dollars. This makes the efficiency rate of the DEA less than 1% at curtailing US drug trade.
R7wrQ TIL that famous "Soviet flag over Reichstag" photo, was doctored because the soldier holding the flag was wearing 2 watches. Photographer erased the watch on his right arm because he thought soldier had looted items from dead Nazi soldiers, which was a punishable offence.