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TIL Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," campaigned for decades to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, writing to five presidents. Lincoln finally agreed in 1863.

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xVGpD TIL that the movie Independence Day still holds the record for most miniature models to appear in one film. Approximately 95% of the movie's special effects were shot using miniatures and due to the advances in digital technology this record may stand forever.
BrxxW TIL that in 2017 someone (the Ukrainian authorities blame Russia) used a drone carrying a thermite grenade to blow up an ammunition dump, setting off a billion dollars worth of explosives.
g9gb TIL a “Chichevache” is a (fabled) human-faced cow that is perpetually starved because it only eats good and faithful wives. The Bicorne, its husband-eating counterpart is well-fed.
wLra8 TIL Hallmark created wrapping paper. In 1917, after running out of tissue paper, the Hall Brother's store in Kansas City resorted to selling colourful envelope liners. This proved to be successful and inspired them to create wrapping paper.
yy18 TIL that Nazi eugenics programs had their start in the United States, with research funded by wealthy industrial leaders. A 1912 Carnegie Institute report even recommended the use of gas chambers as a solution to the problem of cleansing society of the poor, non-white, and mentally ill.