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TIL During World War II, The United States Playing Card Company created a very special deck of cards known as the “Map Deck.” When soaked in water, these decks could be peeled apart to reveal hidden maps that allowed escaping prisoners to find their way to safety.

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b9Dap TIL M&M's were created for the US Army so that soldiers could carry chocolate in tropical climates without it melting
10YP TIL there is a fine dining restaurant located inside a gas station in Texas. Sometime around 2003, Nigerian born Franson Nwaeze was denied a bank loan to open a restaurant. Undeterred, Franson applied for a loan to open a gas station instead, which the bank approved. The result: Chef Point.
m1akP TIL: As of today, there are "Witch Camps" in Ghana where women accused of being witches can seek refuge to avoid being killed. Many have mental illnesses or are widows. Since 2012, the gov have been trying to educate the public that witches do not exist. In 2020 there are 4 camps housing over 500.
J1m0v TIL: During the 1946 Alcatraz prison riot, U.S. Marines from nearby Treasure Island were called in to help end the uprising. While the Posse Comitatus Act limited Army use in civilian matters, Marines were not explicitly bound by it—making them a fast military option for federal emergencies.
6EnEm TIL 'An American Family' is widely considered to be the first reality TV series, first airing on PBS in 1973. Over 300 hours of footage of the Loud family was condensed into 12, one hour episodes documenting family drama resulting from a separation of Bill and Pat Loud.