› added 5 years ago

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TIL that a 1916 zoning law in NYC allows skyscrapers to go as high as they want as long as they cut back in on themselves. The “setback law” allows for sunlight and air to pass through to smaller buildings and street level. These tiered skyscrapers helped to give rise to the Art Deco style.

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4XopN TIL the Union army once commandeered a boat to move 111 (unwilling) prostitutes to Louisville to stop VD spreading in their Nashville garrison. The Louisville authorities turned it away, as did everyone else, so after 28 days afloat it was forced to return to Nashville to disembark the furious girls
ne7Y9 TIL: Broadway producer David Merrick once found 7 average New Yorkers with the same names as 7 of the top theater critics to see one of his poorly reviewed shows. He then printed ads quoting the 7 namesakes' rave reviews. The show remained open for another 6 months
Egxko TIL Rip was a stray dog adopted by an Air Raid Patrol in WW2. Although not trained for rescue work, he sniffed out over 100 victims trapped beneath buildings. He was awarded the Dickin medal for his work, which has been held partially responsible for prompting the training of search and rescue dogs.
Wooo TIL States could make the minimum drinking age 18, but the Federal government would take away tax dollars given to them
6EkmX TIL in Hinduism time is divided in 4 eras, the current era, Kali Yuga, is believed to be a age of sin and conflict in which it is predicted rulers will become unreasonable, the weather and enviroment will degrade, the rich will dominate the poor and many diseases will spread, it will end in 428,899