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TIL George Orwell died the year after “1984” was published

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JYx7v TIL that the charity Citymeals on wheels was founded by mid 1900s American food icons, Gael Greene and James Beard. They started by spending $35,000 to provide 6,000 needy elders with Christmas dinners and the project's success inspired them. As of 2016 Citymeals had an annual budget of $20 million.
v16xL TIL that, on August 31, 2001, a standoff ensued between two marijuana enthusiast campground owners and the FBI, leading to the two being shot dead on September 3rd. News of the events would soon be eclipsed by 9/11.
W71GB TIL when Buddy Holly’s wife suffered a miscarriage after seeing the first reports of his death on television, news agencies implemented a policy against announcing victims' names until after families are informed.
GjEg TIL The Koosh Ball, the non-bouncing rubber ball once described as a “cross between a porcupine and a bowl of Jell-O”, was invented because some kids were not good at playing catch. Its invention is chronicled in the book, The Secret History of Balls.
ENo0 TIL When Britain abolished slavery they simply bought up all the slaves and freed them. It cost a third of the entire national budget, around £100 billion in today’s money.