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TIL The CEO of Netflix offered form a partnership with Blockbuster in the late 90s and the CEO of Blockbuster laughed in his face.

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PYeRJ TIL one of New York’s first crime bosses was a Prussian immigrant known as Mother Mandelbaum. She built up a criminal empire worth millions, ran a school to teach kids how to become successful pickpockets and thieves, and functioned as one most prominent hostesses for New York’s high society.
d8vkd TIL the Kuwae volcanic eruption affected the entire world. During the final siege of Constantinople the city's gardens failed and it was racked by a thunderstorm. There were crop failures in Sweden, the Chinese recorded countless died of cold and famine, and Mexican codices record frosts in fall.
oBNrR TIL: In the '60s a researcher put 3 men who believed themselves to be Jesus in a support group together, and all three ended up believing the others were wrong and they were still Jesus and the others were robots after much arguing over their divinity
R7kyQ TIL Richard Aoki was a Japanese/American raised in an internment camp and later became a Field Marshal of the Black Panther Party; active as weapons expert and armorer. After his 'suicide' it was learned he was an FBI informant since joining the US military.
nW90B TIL Kōei kyōgi (public sports) are Japanese public races that can be gambled on legally. There are four types: horse racing, bicycle racing, powerboat racing, and asphalt speedway motorcycle racing. They are allowed by special laws and are regulated by local governments or governmental corporations.