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TIL that Triboulet, jester of Francis I, saved his life thanks to his vivaciousness. After making fun of a king's mistress, he was sentenced to death and had to choose the way he would die. Sharp minded, he asked to die of old age, leaving the King voiceless his sentence was commuted to banishment.

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9w5jG TIL the Nuremberg Trials executioner lied to the US Military about his prior experience. He botched a number of hangings prior to Nuremberg. The Nuremberg criminals had their faces battered bloody against the too-small trapdoor and were hung from short ropes, with many taking over 10 minutes to die.
BrYox TIL in Europe between 1550 and 1700 over 80,000 people were tried for witchcraft and half were executed - often burned alive. Data shows it was most intense where Catholic-Protestant rivalry was strongest and the phenomenon reached its zenith when there was “peak competition for Christian consumers"
Mnom TIL a man staying in an inward-looking hotel room at Rogers Centre (Toronto) was caught masturbating during a baseball game in full view of the stands, thinking the windows were one-way. Patrons must now sign contracts stipulating that they will not perform lewd acts within view of the stadium.
J1gwB TIL Mannheim Steamroller was unable to find any record label to release their unusual work, so their founder Chip Davis created his own label, American Grammaphone, based in Omaha, NE. They have sold more than 30 Million albums.
BE5W TIL 50 richest Chinese Congress delegates control $94.7 billion, while top 50 US congress only have $1.6B. US politicians are “paupers” by Chinese standards.