› added 8 years ago

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TIL An invasion of Canada that would have likely handed control of the Niagara peninsula to the USA was thwarted when one woman overheard the plans, walked 20 miles through wilderness, and warned a British Lieutenant. The invading Americans were ambushed and promptly surrendered.

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a8ojA TIL that Jack White from The White Stripes got his last name from his then wife and bandmate, Meg White. They divorced in 2000 and continued touring together for decade, until they disbanded in 2011. Jack, who has re-married 2 times, still uses the "White" lastname to this day
P1LgZ TIL that certain BEST Products stores were built with unique & controversial architecture. Stores such as the "Peeling Building", "Forest Building", "Tilt Building", "Inside/Outside Building" and others helped generate commercial success for the company at the time. (Zoomable store photos on link)
oBNdr TIL the man who pioneered the use of anesthesia in dentistry, Horace Wells, committed suicide in prison 3 days after throwing sulfuric acid at two prostitutes while under the influence of chloroform.
lnAN TIL scientists spent 3 days filling an ant colony with 10 tons of cement then spending weeks digging it out to reveal the amazingly complex designed network
m1RWv TIL in 1872, New Orleans businessmen created Rex, the King of Carnival, for the first daytime Mardi Gras parade. To honor visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff, they adopted his family colors—purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power)—as Carnival’s official colors.