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TIL Telecoms and ISP providers were given permission to surcharge with the condition they built a Fibre to the Home network for 30% of America by 2000. It was mostly built in the middle of nowhere, and can’t be used because the last mile hasn’t been installed. Americans are still being charged.

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x6XZ0 TIL the sack of Constantinople in 1453 and subsequent closure of the Silk Road by the Ottoman Empire was a main motivator of Europe to seek a western route to Asia
0Wkv TIL on July 27, 2007, 2 News Helicopters collided while live on the air and covering a police chase. Despite the best efforts of the stations, one of the audio feeds from a helicopter continued to broadcast the screams of a crew as they plummeted to their deaths.
GYVbE TIL Ulysses S. Grant, 18th president, was penniless in old age and wrote a book of memoirs so his wife could live off of the royalties. Mark Twain heard the best offer was 10% and immediately offered the former president 75%. The book was a success, giving Grant's widow about $450,000 in royalties.
vPX7B TIL that in 1883, the tiny community of Lijar in Spain declared war against France for insulting the Spanish king. They declared peace 1983 after negotiating a peace treaty, and no actual fighting ever took place.
NX0yN TIL some reenactment actors on America's Most Wanted were accidentally arrested based on viewer tips