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TIL that in 1879 Alabama dissolved the debt-ridden city of Mobile and simultaneously incorporated the 'Port of Mobile', with most of Mobile's land and population but none of its debt. The Supreme Court ruled in 1886 that the new city was the successor to the old and still owned the debts.

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OoWY6 TIL the musical/film "The Sound of Music" is based on the true story of the Von Trapp, who escaped Nazi-occupied Austria and went on to become a successful travelling singing act.
vPb6j TIL the first use of DNA in a criminal investigation ended up exonerating the suspect who made a false confession to two murders
mWgy TIL Christopher Lee (91), who played Saruman, Count Dooku, etc. is a descendant of the First Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne. He is a heavy metal singer and recorded a full solo album (2010). He killed Nazis in the British special forces, and even witnessed the last guillotine execution in France
9Yo97 TIL The English horn is traditionally heard almost exclusively in symphony orchestras and has been stereotyped of playing only sad, prayerful, and pastoral music since Hector Berlioz first described it as suitable for only those sentiments in his 1844 treatise
v1Kk7 TIL Beats headphones, which originally retailed for $199 back in 2013, cost about $19 to manufacture. The speakers themselves cost just $1.80 to produce. There's so few parts in the actual headphones, they inserted metal pieces just to make them heavier and feel more substantial.