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TIL that the tree of knowledge in Judeo-Christian Religion was an apple tree possibly because of a pun. (Malum means bad in Latin, while malūm means apple)

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VBrjp TIL that until the Civil War, American currency was made only the form of silver or gold coins. Though the colonial Continental Congress briefly issued paper currency, it wasn't until 1862 that Congress authorized the use of paper currency as legal tender for any debts
woQXM TIL in 1997, a parody site "Bert Is Evil" posted edited images of Bert with figures such as Osama bin Laden. After 9/11, a Bangladesh publisher unknowingly found one online and printed it on anti-American posters. An unedited Reuters photo later showed the Bert image at a pro-bin Laden rally.
VW5D TIL that the Sahara Desert Ant is able to form a direct route back to its nest after foraging by adding and subtracting the vectors of its path in its head, thereby creating a short and distinct return path.
j6B9R TIL that Harry Shearer, famed voice actor of a slew of Simpsons characters including Mr Burns, Waylon Smithers, and Principal Skinner, had his first acting role in an Abbot and Costello film. He played a small role in Abbott and Costello Go To Mars (1953).
nWypW TIL That James 1 of Scotland died was murdered after getting stuck in an escape tunnel he himself had blocked up three days earlier to prevent the loss of his tennis balls. As an avid player he often hit the balls out of the court and they would often be lost in the aforementioned sewer tunnel.