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TIL Napoleon III popularized the term Latin America to justify taking control of Mexico

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NJWN TIL: One of the founding fathers, Benjamin Rush, believed that blacks were actually white underneath, but they were stricken with a non-contagious disease which darkened their skin colour. However, he believed with proper treatment, blacks could be cured and become white.
R7aWa TIL Freddie Mercury once sneaked Princess Diana in to a gay bar dressed as a man. The clientele in the bar, distracted by the presence of Mercury and comedian Kenny Everett, never noticed who she was.
K1n9 TIL of a Russian dog whose owners were killed in a car accident. Despite attempts to adopt or re-home him, the dog refused to leave the site of the accident and waited for them until it died 7 years later. The city informally adopted the dog and dedicated a statue honour its loyalty.
ajyA TIL when the Portuguese introduced chili peppers to Japan in the 16th century, rather than being eaten they were commonly put into socks to keep toes warm.
D1BNj TIL that a Somali pirate fell into a "movie trap" in Brussels. Thinking that he would work on a documentary, he was instead arrested as soon as he disembarked from his flight.