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TIL about the forgery artist Wolfgang Beltracchi who, rather than copying existing artwork, created brand new pieces in the style of famous artists. His forgeries have sold for over $45 million dollars.

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oBwGo TIL that the Gulf Cartel (Cartel Del Golfo) began in the 1930s to smuggle alcohol into Prohibition-era America. They became primarily involved with drug smuggling in the 1980s
4k4Q5 TIL that Nader shah, the emperor of Persia, invaded India in 1738 and sacked Delhi. The Mughal emperor was forced to give up the royal treasury and the Peacock Throne to him and a fine of 20 million rupees was levied against Delhi. Nader shah then stoped taxation in Persia for three years.
5BMn TIL the US military once considered building a “gay bomb,” with an aphrodisiac chemical that would provoke widespread homosexual behavior among troops, causing what the military called a “distasteful but completely non-lethal” blow to morale.
4ymX TIL food stamps were born as conservative, pro-business policy meant to provide American-style choice in commodities for recipients and to promote mainstream American economics by allowing recipients to choose their own foodstuffs as opposed to receiving literal handouts of food from backs of trucks
6E6n7 TIL When Disney released “Fantasia 2000” it was the first feature length animated film to be shown in IMAX. IMAX had to agree to Disney’s screening terms, and since the California Science Center in LA did not, Disney built their own IMAX theater for the film’s 4mo run. Then demolished it afterward.