› added 9 years ago

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TIL hundreds of schools collapsed during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, killing more than 5000 students. Instead of conducting investigations into the companies responsible, the government threatened and arrested the griefing parents protesting against the death of their children

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B69D TIL that after the Empire State Building opened in New York City in 1931, much of its office space went unrented. It was nicknamed the “Empty State Building” by New Yorkers and didn’t become profitable until 1950.
awgBb TIL that Christopher Columbus was jailed upon his return to Spain for mistreating the native population of Hispaniola
NEPe TIL that VICE, the rather left and “alternative” news outlet, is owned partly by Rupert Murdoch
kJ5N4 TIL several Namco composers known for Ridge Racer, Tekken, and other video game soundtracks formed a parody/tribute band of Yellow Magic Orchestra, called "Oriental Magnetic Yellow".
ADrJg TIL that in 1806 Andrew Jackson challenged a man to a duel after he made fun of his wife and wrote a letter to a newspaper calling him a "coward". Jackson ended up winning but got shot in the chest, and as a result had a bullet stuck near his heart for the rest of his life.