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TIL the dark history of bananas. In an effort to preserve “United Fruit Company’s” monopoly on bananas, the U.S. Government removed the democratically elected president of Guatemala in secret by faking a radio station that reported a fake military invasion of Guatemala.

Br5Wr TIL 1$ worth of gold invested in 1801 would be worth 54$ by 2016, but 1$ invested in the US stock market in 1801 would be worth $16.24 million by 2016.
VMmm0 TIL that mosquito hawks do not actually eat mosquitos. Instead, the larvae mostly feed on roots of forage crops, turf grasses, and seedling field crops, while adults, if they feed at all, feed primarily on liquids such as nectar.
0d1O5 TIL that in Mexico, the term "Cinco de Mayo" isn't commonly used. Instead, Mexicans call it "La Batalla de Puebla," commemorating the 1862 battle against French forces. While the U.S. has large celebrations, it's a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, mostly observed in the state of Puebla.
941r TIL that according to the ‘Copyright Act 1911’ The British Library must receive a copy of every item published or distributed in the United Kingdom (including pamphlets, magazines, newspapers, sheet music and maps) in a practice know as 'legal deposit’, which can be traced back to at least 1610.
e0v44 TIL Christopher Hitchens was appointed the devils advocate for Mother Thesesas beatification in 2003. Saying "I can thus claim to be the only living person to have represented the Devil pro bono"