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TIL actor Peter Capaldi, as Doctor Who, made a video for an autistic 9-yr-old boy grieving the death of his grandmother. The boy’s father said that it had a positive effect: the boy smiled for the first time since learning of his grandmother’s death, and gained the courage to go to her funeral.

ADPPl TIL In 1850, California law made it legal for towns to pay bounties for Indian scalps. Shasta City offered $5 for every Indian head brought to city hall, expenses reimbursed by the state treasury. There were 150,000 Indians in California before the 49ers, by 1870 less than 30,000.
16818 TIL that Willie, a parrot, alerted its owner, Megan Howard, when the toddler she was babysitting began to choke. Megan was in the bathroom, the parrot began screaming "mama, baby" while flapping its wings as the child turned blue. Megan rushed over and performed the Heimlich, saving the girls life.
pYRBA TIL: During the One World Trade Center construction, workers had the choice of bringing lunches or facing the nearly impossible task of descending to ground in 30 minutes for food. To solve this, a Subway franchise created a full shop in a shipping container, which was lifted to the workers daily.
x6Eek TIL In 1972, the US House of Representatives election in Alaska was held. Candidate Nick Begich disappeared a month earlier in a suspected plane crash. His body and the wreckage were never found. Despite this, he still won the election.
JY4b1 TIL famed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent's one regret was that he didn't invent blue jeans. He said, "They have expression, modesty, sex appeal and simplicity, all I hope for in my clothes."