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TIL George Washington tried to introduce a law that would force local governments to produce books detailing 'ghosts' in the area. He believed that by forging the existence of ghosts, it would make the United States seem as if it were a country with history. This is a practice that continues today.

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YYp7 TIL Franklin D. Pierce, 14th President of the United States, was asked what he would do next as he was leaving office. He replied, “There’s nothing left [to do] but get drunk.” Twelve year later, he died from cirrhosis of the liver.
AkYw TIL that NASA took measures to prevent microorganisms from returning to Earth on/in the Apollo capsules, because they weren’t positive that there wasn’t life on the Moon.
gMQxX TIL of Chevalier d'Éon - a French spy, dragoon and ambassador who had lived life both as man and woman. Their autopsy indicated they were intersex, and presented masculine in their early life for sake of inheritance.
VMyvm TIL: Japan uses high frequency noises that only young people can hear to disperse loitering teenagers
VAD8 TIL Wellington didn’t win the Battle of Waterloo and ruined people who knew better. The Prussian General Blücher won the battle and his name of the battle (Battle of Belle Alliance) should be remembered, as the victor has the right to name the battle.