› added 9 years ago

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TIL in the 1960s the FDA mysteriously banned the use of the miracle berry, a fruit which makes sour foods taste sweet and was being developed as a safe alternative to sugar.

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WkPOB TIL Mark Thatcher, the son of Margaret Thatcher, is a convicted felon after financing the 2004 coup attempt in Equatorial Guinean in exchange oil concessions. He served 4 years in prison and was fined US$560,000. The UK knew about the planned coup, and it's possible the Bush government did as well.
rNO8x TIL about Mexican General José Urrea, who was undefeated in his battles during The Texas Revolution, but his victories made the President of Mexico jealous and he eventually was removed from power, after rebelling.
6oBY TIL that the British Royal Navy (at substantial cost) established a fleet of ships known as the ‘West Africa Squadron’ which would patrol the west coast of Africa, capturing slave ships. This fleet is estimated to have captured 1,600 slave ships and freed 150,000 African slaves between 1808 & 1860.
jVap TIL American shoppers spent $59.1 billion on Black Friday sales in 2012, while 95 percent of Americans have $1.48 of debt for every $1 in earnings.
VBKnQ TIL the cause of death of the Challenger astronauts is unknown