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TIL In 1784, a bill that would have banned slavery in all US territories failed to pass by one vote because a representative from New Jersey was sick and stayed home.

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4OOX TIL Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca was sentenced to suicide by Roman emperor Nero. Due to his old age and diet he failed to bleed to death after severing his veins. He then, to no avail, attempted to consume poison. Finally, he suffocated during a steam bath meant to quicken blood loss.
R5la TIL the MI6 double agent that inspired James Bond warned the US about Pearl Harbor’s attack over four months before it happened.
l7XNV TIL that Flight of the Bumblebee was originally intended to only be an interlude, or a song played in between acts, to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's play. Despite its unimportant part in the play, it still became one of the most recognizable classical songs due to its frequent usage in pop culture.
wo6b1 TIL that the idea of a modern olympic revival was initially rejected by greek politicians in the 19th century because they feared it would make the kingdom of greece look old fashioned and pagan. Instead, they rather suggested an industrial and agricultural exposition.
D1PJY TIL During World War II, it was common for soldiers to keep family photos under clear grips on their 1911 pistols. They were called “Sweetheart Grips.”