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854

TIL that between 1866 and 1871 the Fenians, a group of republican Irishmen who fought in the American Civil War, tried to invade Canada in order to use it as ransom against the UK in order to liberate Ireland.

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oBL9R TIL that the Aztec god of war's symbol is the hummingbird, because hummingbirds are vicious little bastards
Z8jVB TIL the Latin phrase Magnum Opus, that modernly refers to the greatest achievement of an artist or writer, was first used almost 2,000 years ago to describe the pursuit of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary alchemical substance also known as the elixir of life.
kJlE5 TIL the BBC programme "The Black and White Minstrel Show," with white actors performing in blackface, aired for 20 years ending in 1978. Once, in 1967, as an experiment, the network aired a version where black actors performed in whiteface.
kJPed TIL the pearlfish can live inside a sea cucumber's anus when it dilates to breathe. They also eat the gonads, along with other organs. Sometimes 5 or more can be in one sea cucumber.
Z8Ddo TIL an Arkansas man reportedly had his kidneys fail after drinking a gallon of black tea a day. This is the equivalent to 16 cups. Black tea contains Oxalate which is known to cause kidney stones at excessive amounts.