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TIL in 1830, around 13.7% of the U.S. black population was free, totaling about 319,599. Surprisingly, 3,775 free blacks owned 12,760 slaves, according to the census.

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Z8mvQ TIL: Bananas (and kitty litter) are radioactive enough that they frequently trips the sensors at U.S. ports of entry meant to detect nuclear material being smuggled in shipping containers.
QJ04a TIL That the dots in words in dictionaries aren't to show the syllables, but to show where one can break the word when typing and you run out of space in a line.
9Y9pr TIL the black soldier fly larva turns most organic substances into nutrient-rich protein and frass, a valuable organic fertilizer. Significant reductions in E. coli and Salmonella were measured in manure after larvae were introduced in it. They can also purify biomass contaminated with heavy metals.
lwg7 TIL of Sgt Earl Hale. While taking six SS officers prisoner, one slashed Hale’s throat. He survived and remained in the European Theater. Later, General Patton himself would berate him for being out of uniform until he produced a doctor’s note excusing him from wearing the required tie.
b6WGZ TIL the model for Ariel in the Little Mermaid, Sherri Stoner, later created and voiced Slappy Squirrel on Animaniacs