› added 1 year ago

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TIL that during World War II, the US government partnered with the American Mafia in Operation Underworld to gather intelligence, prevent sabotage, and ensure order. They leveraged organized crime networks, like Meyer Lansky's assistance to Naval Intelligence in safeguarding New York docks.

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OoXx6 TIL I learned about Amet-khan Sultan, WWII Soviet Air Force pilot, 2x Hero of The Soviet Union, 3x recipient of the Order of Lenin and 4x recipient of the Order of the Red Banner who personally down 30 enemy planes, including 2 by ramming them.
OGGJX TIL Angels Landing is a 1,488 ft tall rock formation in Zion National Park in Utah. It is an unique fin-like mountain formation that juts out to the center of the main canyon. A trail cut into solid rock in 1926 leads to the top of Angels Landing and provides panoramic view of Zion Canyon.
l76KB TIL as of late 2011 Texas no longer provides executed felons a last meal. The tradition had existed for almost a century, but after a high profile incident where a murderer refused to eat anything the state legislature passed a law to end the practice entirely. Most states instead have a price cap.
e0GDD TIL David Letterman fought to get Norm Macdonald the "Late Late Show" on CBS, which went to Craig Kilborn (topic @ 22:23)
e0pbn TIL that after its tourism sector boomed, Kazakhstan's foreign minister thanked Sacha Baron Cohen in 2012 for the release of Borat after the country saw a 10x increase in issued visas.