› added 11 years ago

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TIL George Washington and Samuel Adams, both considered to be leaders of the American Revolution, refused to join a political party because they believed the idea would divide Congress. They’re instead only identified as Whigs, a common name for those supporting independence.

EM5o TIL that as of April 12, 111 people have been justifiably killed by American police in 2015. Compared with the 55 killed by British police since 1990
9YlGD TIL When a flock of starlings are murmurating (flying in those shape-shifting patterns) Each individual birds' movements are copied by 7 of its closest neighbours, and each of those neighbours' movements affect 7 more and so on through the flock.
AN1pd TIL about Reuben Berman, who in 1921 was ejected from a Giants game after refusing to return a foul ball. He successfully sued the team for causing him mental and physical distress, in turn setting the precedent for future fans to keep any foul balls.
OGYA6 TIL that pensioners in the UK over the age of 80 who claimed a state pension before 2016 receive a massive 25p week increase 'in recognition "of the special claims of very elderly people who on the whole need help rather more than others”'
ANN8l TIL The Statue of Liberty is constructed with copper and originally had a red/brown color. The current green is a result of the oxidation over time. In 1907, the War Department stated that it did not intend to power wash it back to the original and it's been that way ever since.