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TIL only two US presidents had no ancestry from the British Isles: Martin Van Buren and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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D11bY TIL In 2006, The FBI planted an informant pretending to be a radical Muslim in a mosque, and the Muslims in the mosque reported him to the FBI.
neBv9 TIL In 2000, one of the worst peacetime submarines accidents ever took place off the coast of Russia. A huge explosion sank the giant nuclear-powered submarine Kursk, killing most of its crew and stranding nearly two dozen survivors hundreds of feet underwater.
neKpr TIL The Puritans Didn't Come to the New World for 'Religious Freedom' The Protestant "Separatists" left Holland because of too much religious freedom, since the country allowed Judaism and Catholicism and even atheism.
E1d1w TIL that the expression "Bob's your uncle" is thought to have originated with UK Prime Minister Bob Cecil, who made the unpopular choice of electing his nephew for an important position; while the nephew had some qualifications, "Bob's your uncle" was seen as the obvious explanation.
WkVNA TIL For the opening song to "Blazing Saddles," Mel Brookes advertised for a "Frankie Laine-type" singer. Frankie Laine himself offered his services and passionately sang the western tune without the knowledge that it was for a western spoof.