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TIL George Washington Carver created Worcestershire sauce.

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QNVoE TIL a KGB spy operating in Canada in the 1950's was convinced to become a double agent for Canada (codename: Gideon), but was betrayed when an RCMP officer exposed him for money. "Gideon" was recalled to the USSR and long presumed executed, until he turned up alive in 1992 and defected to Canada.
OGJNY TIL that there were women gladiators, known as “gladiatrices”. They fought against each other or against animals to entertain their audience.
JE1k TIL when his heir died childless, the estate of British scientist James Smithson passed to the U.S. government. American diplomat Richard Rush was sent to England to collect the money, and returned with today’s equivalent of $11M in gold coins, which was used to found the Smithsonian Institution.
BERW TIL a key ingredient in root beer (sassafras root) was found to be carcinogenic and banned in 1960 by the FDA. Artificial versions are now generally used instead
a8JGJ TIL That the name of the first dog in space (Laika) literally translates to "Barker", a name which the technicians gave to her due to her loud barking during training